Increased Flexibility for Citizenship Applicants

On Sep 14 2021, the Government has announced changes that will streamline the pathway to citizenship for some of our most talented prospective Australians.

The Hon Alex Hawke MP Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, has introduced additional flexibility to recognise the unique difficulties faced by some of our most distinguished applicants for citizenship.

“Australian citizenship is a rare privilege, and it should not come easy. Those who apply must meet a range of character, values, and language requirements. They must also have lived in Australia for a minimum period to be eligible,” Minister Hawke said.

“However, the unique work and travel demands on some of our most highly distinguished prospective Australians should not preclude them from making the cut. That’s why I have directed the Department of Home Affairs to apply greater flexibility in applying the residence requirement for eligible people,” he said.

Currently, the special residence requirement may apply for a range of applicants who due to their work undertakes significant international travel and where it is in the Australian national interest including Australian representative sportspeople, ships’ crew, senior businesspeople, research scientists, and distinguished artists. The special residence requirement provides that an applicant has held a valid visa for the last four years, living in Australia for at least 480 days during that time, and must have been a permanent resident and in Australia for 120 days in the year immediately before applying. The special residence requirement will now also apply to past, present and future distinguished talent stream visa holders.

Source: Increased-flexibility-for-citizenship-applicants.pdf