成为澳大利亚公民的FAQ

成为澳大利亚公民的FAQ 文章来源: codeman 于 2005-12-14 02:30:47 1. How do I apply for Australian citizenship? Isn't the process complicated and time consuming? Becoming an Australian citizen involves a serious commitment but the process is relatively simple. All you have to do is get the form, fill it in and lodge it with the processing fee. There's also a short interview. The Department will write to you to let you know whether your application has been successful. You will then need to attend a citizenship ceremony. Processing time can vary, if all documentation is provided at the time of lodgement or at interview, it may take up to 30 days for a decision to be made on your application. Once your application has been approved, arrangements will be made for you to attend a citizenship ceremony. Most ceremonies are held by local government councils. It can take a few months from the date of approval until you are invited to attend a citizenship ceremony. If you need to attend a citizenship ceremony by a particular date, please discuss your circumstances at your citizenship interview. Citizenship ceremonies are memorable events. You are most welcome to share this memorable occasion with relatives and friends. You will receive details about your citizenship ceremony well in advance so that you can invite them. 2. Isn't citizenship just a legal formality? It is much more than that, Australian citizenship formalises your membership of the Australian community. It entitles you to the same rights as other Australian citizens. It is an important way to formalise your commitment to Australia and share in its future. It also carries with it substantive legal rights, such as the right to vote in elections, stand for Parliament, work in the public service, or serve in the armed forces. Citizenship also entitles you to hold an Australian passport, which can make it easier to re-enter the country if you leave to travel overseas. You also have the right to register your children as Australian citizens by descent if they're born overseas. 3. How much is the fee to apply for Australian citizenship? A fee must be paid before a citizenship application can be considered, and there is no scope to waive this fee. The current fee is $120 and it has been in place since January 1998. However, a concession fee of $20 is available to applicants who have a permanent financial disadvantage and are recipients of certain pensions from Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Exemptions There are two categories of applicants who are exempt from paying the fee. These are: Persons who have served in the Australian Defence Force for a period of at least 3 months; and British and Maltese former child migrants who arrived in Australia under the Commonwealth Child Migrant Scheme between 22 September 1947 and 31 December 1967. More Information? Please contact the Citizenship Information Line on 131 880. 4. I would like to become an Australian citizen but I haven't been in Australia long enough To apply for Australian citizenship you would need to have been in Australia for at least 2 years as a permanent resident in the last five years. This time must include a total of twelve months in the two years immediately before making your citizenship application. The twelve months does not need to be continuous. There are some exceptions to the residence requirements: Service in the permanent Australian Defence Forces for at least 3 months; Service in the Australian Reserve Forces for at least 6 months; Former Australian citizens or persons born in Australia; and Spouse, widow or widower of an Australian citizen. Please click here to read Form 1027i How to Apply for Australian Citizenship and find out if any of the exceptions apply to you. 5. Will I lose my current citizenship if I become an Australian citizen? Australia does not require you to renounce your citizenship when you become an Australian citizen. Whether you lose your former citizenship when you become an Australian citizen does not depend upon Australian citizenship law, but upon the citizenship laws of the other country. A number of countries allow their citizens to keep their original citizenship, so make sure you check with the consulate or embassy to get the latest information. 6. Is it true that I can acquire the citizenship of another country without losing my Australian citizenship? Yes. On 4 April 2002, the repeal of section 17 of the Australian Citizenship Act meant that Australians retain their citizenship if they acquire the citizenship of another country after that date. See: Changes to Citizenship Laws Before 4 April 2002, Australians over 18 who applied for and were granted the citizenship of another country generally lost their Australian citizenship, as did their children under 18, unless their other parent was an Australian citizen. Australians did not lose their Australian citizenship if they acquired another citizenship automatically or simply obtained a passport of a country of which they were already a citizen. Read Form 1114i for more information.7. I have just become an Australian citizen. Is my re-entry visa still valid? No. All previously held visas expire upon the grant of Australian citizenship. As an Australian citizen you have the unrestricted right to stay in Australia and travel freely in and out of the country. As an Australian citizen, you should use an Australian passport to pass through Immigration/Customs clearance on leaving and returning to Australia. 8. I have just become an Australian citizen. Why should I use my Australian passport to leave and re-enter Australia? Only Australian citizens have an unrestricted right to travel freely in and out of the country. All other people must have an authority, in the form of a visa, to enter and stay in Australia. Any Australian visa you had in your passport ceased when you became an Australian citizen.An Australian passport is the only definitive evidence that proves the traveller is an Australian citizen. Without an Australian passport delays may be experienced while the traveller's Australian citizenship is verified. Delays may occur when clearing Immigration/Customs in and out of Australia and at airline check-in when returning to Australia from overseas.