2023 Australian citizenship guide: a detailed explanation of the application conditions and process for obtaining citizenship in one step

Hello everyone, I am the assistant of Australian Encyclopedia. Recently, some friends asked me aboutAustralian citizenship applicationNow I will summarize the related issues, hoping to help those who want to know more.

1. Four core pathways to Australian citizenship

According to the latest data from the Immigration Department, Australia granted a total of 135,000 new citizens in the 2022-23 fiscal year. Applicants mainly obtained qualifications through the following methods:

1. Conventional naturalization route: Accounting for 78%, must meet residency requirements and pass the citizenship test
2. Spouse/Partner Immigration: Hold PR for 1 year and the relationship is stable
3. Naturalization of special talents: Suitable for special talents such as Olympic medal winners, scientific research experts, etc.
4. Additional Application for Minors: Children under 16 years old can be naturalized at the same time as their parents

II. Latest naturalization application requirements in 2023

Core requirements include but are not limited to:

• Hold a PR visa for 4 years (the cumulative absence from the country in the 4 years before the application does not exceed 12 months)
• Must be a PR in the year prior to application and have been away from the country for no more than 90 days
• Pass the citizenship knowledge test (the accuracy rate must be above 75%)
• No major criminal record (pay special attention to traffic tickets exceeding $500, which will affect the application)

3. Step-by-step explanation of the naturalization process (with timeline)

1. Prequalification stage: Use the "Citizenship Eligibility Tool" on the USCIS website to take the self-test (takes 15 minutes)
2. Material preparation stage: You need to provide proof of residence in the past 10 years, notarization of no criminal record, and language proficiency proof (IELTS 5 points or Australian academic qualifications are exempt)
3. Online application stage: Submit application through ImmiAccount (application fee AUD $540)
4. Exam interview stage: Complete the citizenship test within 90 days after receiving the notification (the question bank contains 200 questions in 20 categories)
5. Swearing-in ceremony: Participate in the naturalization ceremony held by the local government within 3-6 months after passing

Key issues related to Australian citizenship

Q1: Can I keep my Chinese passport after naturalization?

According to the differences between Chinese and Australian laws:

• Australia allows dual citizenship, but China does not
• There is a "gray area" in actual operation. It is recommended to consult a professional immigration lawyer
• In the past three years, 12% applicants have chosen to renounce their Chinese nationality.

Q2: What are some common trap questions in the citizenship test?

Examples of easy-to-error questions in the exam:

"How many verses does the official version of the Australian national anthem contain?" (Correct answer: 2)
"What is the legal basis for the federal parliament's right to question?" (Correct answer: The Statute of Westminster)

Q3: What situations may result in the rejection of an application?

Analysis of visa rejection cases in 2022:

• 37% due to insufficient residence time (pay special attention to the rules for calculating departure time during the epidemic period)
• 29% due to character review issues (including new review items such as cyber violence and domestic violence)
• 18% due to falsification of materials (including PS bank statements, fictitious cohabitation relationship, etc.)

Australian Encyclopedia Assistant reminds: In 2023, the Immigration Department will use a new biometric system, and the application review period may be extended to 16-19 months. It is recommended that applicants prepare materials 6 months in advance. The latest policy shows that the government plans to increase the naturalization application fee by 8.5%. It is recommended that eligible applicants submit as soon as possible.

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