It’s
funny how things work out. Ctizenship was never my goal. I moved to Australia
temporarily with my Australian partner. The plan was to spend a year travelling
around Australia, supporting ourselves with a bit of casual work as we went.
When my partner took a permanent position that required relocating to the other
end of the country fast, our plan had to change. Here’s how I became an
Australian citizen.
It
all started when I applied for a partner visa. I could have applied for a
second year’s working holiday visa, but that would have significantly limited my work
opportunities, and it still had an expiry date. Applying for a partner visa, on
the basis of my relationship provided more security.
Countless
forms, photocopies of documents like utility bills, health statements,
statutory declarations and x-rays later, the application was submitted at the
end of 2011. We then heard nothing. I made a few concerned phone calls early on
in my dealings with the Department of Immigration. Eventually the minimum
30-minute on-hold time drove me bonkers, and I learned to trust that things
were happening.
A
family wedding meant I needed to return to Europe the following summer. Being,
at that point, on a temporary extension of my previous visa meant I was not
permitted to leave and re-enter Australia, so I had to apply for a bridging
visa. I got comfy and phoned the department for some advice. The bridging visa
cost AU $125 and, somewhat stressfully, was issued only days before my travel
date. I went to Europe, I returned, and we got on with life.
About
six months later I received notification that I had received a temporary partner
visa, allowing me to remain in, and travel to and from Australia. This was
followed in early 2014 with permanent residency with no travel or visa
conditions.
We
could have left it at that. It is not uncommon for people to live in Australia
as permanent residents, for decades, without ever becoming citizens. However, citizenship
would enable me to participate more fully in the society in which I was living
as it meant I could vote and, since both Australia and my original country of
citizenship permit dual citizenship, I had nothing to lose in becoming
Australian. It was a no-brainer.
Mid-2015,
I applied for citizenship online. Three weeks later I attended an interview, sat
my citizenship test, and was told my application had been approved. All I had
to do now was wait for a citizenship ceremony. Four months later I became an
Australian citizen. One month after that I received my Australian passport,
complete with shocking photo and the nationality listed as ‘Australian’.
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| My British and Australian passports |
How
long does it take?
So, my
journey from visitor to citizen took four years. It can be quicker, and can sometimes
take longer. Every application is different. Many factors affect timings,
including how well applications are completed and the location of applicants,
as some immigration offices are busier than others, as are the local councils
that conduct the citizenship ceremonies.
Is
it easy?
I wouldn't say the process is always easy, especially if you are not able to work while the department processes your applications, but it is very straightforward. The Australian immigration website is full of
information. Every form you might need can be downloaded and if you can read
and write in English you can complete it all yourself. I never used an
immigration agent.
How
much does it cost?
It
is not cheap. All in all it probably cost me about AUD $3,000 over the four
year process. The biggest single cost is the initial application fee for a
permanent visa, but applicants must also pay for medical checks, the
translation of official documents by the Australian government-nominated
translators, and multiple police record checks (international ones if you have
spent significant periods overseas).
Living
in Australia I have made friends that I know will remain good friends for years
to come. I have also had several opportunities here that, for various reasons,
I may not have had back home. I have been able to work in fields that interest
me, and I have definitely benefitted from the Australian ‘fair go’ mentality.
After
all these years living as an expat in Australia and, of course, being labelled
a ‘POM’, it was strange to see the words ‘Australian’ next to my face on an
official document. However, it was also comforting because I'm now able to live
and work in Australia on my terms and not live mindful that political change could
direct how and where I can live my life.
Have
you become a citizen of a country, after spending several years there as an
expat? How did it make you feel?
