Citizenship by investment programs is becoming increasingly popular in global investment. It’s not just wealthy individuals seeking to obtain citizenship, either. Australia is one of the most popular countries for investors to become citizens by investment.
Let’s take a look at the full citizenship by investment programs in Australia, including the benefits and risks of each one.
Australia is a young, multicultural, democratic nation with a rapidly growing economy. Its unmatched natural beauty and high standard of living draw visitors from all over the globe.
Australian citizenship provides security and a slew of privileges related to living, learning, voting, and working in Australia.
To apply for citizenship in Australia, you must understand the qualifying requirements and the many steps of the application procedure. This thorough handbook outlines everything you need to know about becoming an Australian citizen.
1. Why Should You Become An Australian Citizen?
Australian citizenship enables you to live and work freely while adhering to the country’s principles. It confers the following privileges on you:
- Obtain an Australian passport to travel to and from Australia.
- When traveling overseas, seek assistance from Australia’s diplomatic representation.
- Serve in the Army of Defense
- Work in the Public Sector
- Become a Member of Parliament
- Vote to elect a member of the European Parliament
2. What Are The Responsibilities Of An Australian Citizen?
By obtaining citizenship in Australia, you are legally compelled to:
- Adhere to Australian laws and regulations
- When it is judged necessary, defend Australia
- When called upon to serve on a jury, assume the role of a juror.
- Enroll on state and territorial voter rolls
- Vote in legislative elections
3. Australian Permanent Residency Vs. Australian Citizenship
The benefits and entitlements of an Australian permanent resident are different from those of an Australian citizen. Permanent residents of Australia are not considered citizens of the nation. Instead, they have a permanent visa to live, study, and work in Australia without restriction.
Consider the following distinctions between an Australian citizen and an Australian permanent resident:
- Australian citizens have free entrance to Australia. However, to travel overseas, a permanent resident must have a valid permanent visa issued by an official travel authority to travel overseas to travel overseas.
- Vote and Run for Office: A citizen may vote and run for office in Australian parliamentary elections. On the other hand, permanent residents cannot vote or run for office in Australia.
- Australian nationals can work in government agencies and the Australian Defense Force. Permanent residents, on the other hand, get this wrong.
- Where permanent residents of Australia are not eligible for government study loans, Australian citizens may apply for low-interest loans.
- Government Support (when living or working abroad): Australian nationals are eligible for government assistance while living or working abroad. However, permanent residents of Australia are not eligible for this assistance.
- Offspring of Australian citizens are entitled to seek citizenship. Children born in Australia to permanent residents are eligible for Australian citizenship. However, they may seek permanent residence if they were born outside the nation.
4. How To Apply For A Permanent Residency (PR) In Australia?
To apply for permanent residence, you must satisfy specific requirements:
- Must have lived in Australia lawfully for four years immediately before the date of application for Australian citizenship.
- I should have spent 12 months as a permanent resident in Australia.
- Should not have spent more than one year and more than three months outside the country in the 12 months preceding the application date.
To learn more about the residency requirement, visit the Citizenship Wizard on the Department of Home Affairs website.
5. How To Become An Australian Citizen?
To maintain citizenship in Australia, you must demonstrate a continuing commitment to the nation and everything it supports and upholds. The following are the prerequisites for Australian citizenship:
- Should be at least 18 years old
- I should have spent four years in Australia, including one year as a permanent resident.
- Should be a permanent resident of Australia at the time of application.
- Must have passed a citizenship examination (if below 60 years),
- Should you continue to reside in Australia or keep a continued relationship with the country
- Should exhibit sound social and moral behavior
- They should have a thorough understanding of their rights and duties as an Australian citizen.
6. When Can I Apply For Australian Citizenship?
You may apply for citizenship in Australia in three ways, provided you match the eligibility requirements.
Citizenship by Birth
You must satisfy the following conditions in this case:
- You are an Australian citizen.
- At your birth, at least one of your parents was a permanent resident of Australia or an Australian citizen
Australian Citizenship by Conferral
To qualify for citizenship through this route, you must complete the following residency requirements:
- I should have spent a minimum of one year in Australia as a permanent resident.
- I should have been a lawful resident of Australia for four years immediately before submitting the citizenship application. (This includes time spent in Australia as a student, on a working vacation, on a tourist visa, or a temporary visa.)
- Should not have spent more than one year outside Australia in the preceding four years and not more than 90 days in the year immediately before the application.
Scenario 1:
Do you want to learn how to become a citizen of Australia from New Zealand? To gain Australian citizenship, you must satisfy the following criteria:
Between the ages of 18 and 59, Australian permanent residents.
Children between the ages of 16 and 17 years Children under the age of 15 years when applying with their parent or guardian
You must be a New Zealand citizen at the time of application and until the department decides on your citizenship application.
Australian citizens’ spouses or partners
migrants under the Commonwealth Child Migration Scheme
Refugees or migratory workers on humanitarian grounds
Likely to remain in Australia or have a strong relationship with Australia while living abroad
Australian citizenship cost:
- AUD 490 for non-professionals
- AUD 300 for applicants aged 16 or 17 at the time of application.
- There is no cost for children 15 years of age or under.
Scenario 2:
You may also apply for Australian citizenship by conferral if you are 60 years old. However, the following conditions must be met:
- At the time of application and when the board decides on your application, you must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
- More than one billion individuals throughout the globe want to live and work in Australia someday.
- Australian citizens’ spouses or partners
- Migrants on humanitarian grounds
- Refugees
- Continue to reside in Australia or have a relationship with Australia while abroad.
A fee of AUD300 is needed when applying for citizenship under this category. However, individuals with a concession card would be required to pay just AUD35.
Scenario 3:
Are you considering how to get Australian citizenship via marriage? If your spouse is an Australian citizen, you may get Australian citizenship by conferral.
You would need to submit the citizenship application to the Home Affairs Department and the required supporting papers and a cost of AUD 490.
You would be given Australian citizenship after security checks and document verification.
Dual Citizenship
Australia permits dual citizenship, enabling Australian citizens to acquire citizenship in another nation while preserving their Australian citizenship.
However, it is up to the other country’s citizenship regulations to determine whether you may retain your citizenship after becoming an Australian citizen.
Citizenship by Descent
If you were born outside of Australia and one of your parents was/is an Australian citizen at your birth, you may be eligible for Australian Citizenship by Descent. An applicant may apply for citizenship online. It is handled via the Australian Embassy or High Commission in the country concerned.
You will be required to pay an application fee of AUD 315 for ordinary citizens and AUD 130 for each subsequent sibling.
7. What Is A Citizenship Test?
After completing the qualifying conditions, candidates for Australian citizenship must pass a citizenship exam. This exam assesses an applicant’s knowledge of Australia’s history, customs, culture, national symbols, laws, geography, political system, and values.
Additionally, the examination assesses English language proficiency and a working awareness of the obligations and rights of an Australian citizen.
The primary goal of the exam is to promote social cohesiveness and effective integration into the community. It consists of twenty questions, and candidates must score at least 75% to pass.
Certain types of candidates are not required to take the test:
- Under the age of 18 or above the age of 60
- Suffer from a considerable decrease in sensory ability
- Before October 1, 2007
- Possess a mental or physical handicap
- Have been born into an ex-Australian citizen’s family
Applicants with limited English literacy are assisted in taking the exam.
8. What Is A Citizenship Ceremony?
Following approval of the citizenship application, candidates must attend a Citizenship Ceremony to take the Australian Citizenship Pledge. This commitment demonstrates the following:
- Australia’s loyalty
- Share the country’s democratic values and uphold its freedoms and rights
- Maintain its laws
Following their pledge, applicants receive a “Citizenship Certificate.” It is a required document when applying for a passport in Australia.
9. Steps to Become an Australian Citizen
After you’ve determined your eligibility, you’ll need to learn about the necessary paperwork, application forms, and the overall process of becoming an Australian citizen.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibilit
To begin obtaining Australian citizenship, you must first establish that you match the essential qualifying criteria.
Step 2: Obtaining All Required Documentation.
To substantiate your application, you would need the following documents:
- A document confirming your identity (including your name, picture, and signature), such as a driver’s license, a national identity card, or a passport.
- Proof of Australian residency: Provide proof that you have been legitimately and regularly residing in Australia for the previous four years. A rental contract, a utility bill, a bank statement, or an insurance policy that includes your address are all examples of good papers.
- Proof of birth date: Obtain a duplicate of your birth certificate.
- Photograph in the manner of a passport (not older than six months)
- Evidence of your parent’s or spouse’s Australian citizenship
Step 3: Get Copies Of The Supporting Documents
To complete the application, you must upload or attach copies of all official papers.
As a result, you must extract copies of the papers and include them with the form. However, you must bring original documents to citizenship interviews/appointments.
Step 4: Get Your Documents Translated (if needed)
All documentation submitted to the DHA must be in English. This requires hiring a certified translation to convert your non-English papers into English.
NAATI is a globally recognized professional translator organization commonly utilized for translation and interpretation.
Step 5: Complete your Application Form
Depending on your specific situation, you must complete and submit an Australian citizenship application form online. In addition, include a list of any official papers you are sending.
Locate somebody who can vouch for your papers’ authenticity and identity. Nominate a representative (if required) and indicate your choice for the Australian Ceremony pledge.
Step 6: Submit Application
Submit your completed application form and supporting documentation to DHA online or by mail, together with the application processing fee.
Step 7: Don’t miss out on the opportunity to become a citizen!
When the DHA receives your application, it will contact you to schedule a citizenship interview to verify your identification and the accuracy of your presented papers.
Following that, you must appear for the Australian Citizenship exam.
Step 8: Attend the Citizenship Ceremony
Attend a Citizenship Ceremony and take the Australian Citizenship Pledge as the last step in becoming an Australian citizen.
This ceremony takes place six months after the day on which your application was approved. The average time required to complete an application is around three months.
10. How To Resume An Australian Citizenship?
If you formerly had Australian citizenship, you may seek to reclaim it. To do so, you must meet the following criteria and execute the relevant application processes.
- If you are 16 years of age or older, you must provide identification.
- Manifestation of moral character
- Present proof that your Australian citizenship was terminated.
The cause of your citizenship loss determines your ability to reclaim Australian citizenship. Those who cannot reclaim their revoked Australian citizenship may apply for Australian citizenship via the conferral process. The charge for resuming citizenship is AUD210.
Step 1: Arrange the necessary documents
If you match the qualifying requirements, you will need specific papers to reclaim your Australian citizenship.
The following is a comprehensive checklist of Australian citizenship documents:
- Documents prove your identity, including your birth name, birth date, and gender.
- Your birth certificate, which includes the names of your mother and father.
- Document of family registration
- Official name change paperwork (if required): Certificates of marriage and divorce
- Proof of residence, such as an energy bill, a water bill, a gas bill, or a rental contract
- Driver’s license in Australia
- Card of national identification
- There is evidence of entry into Australia, such as a current or former passport or a travel document with a visa.
- Signature in the format of a passport picture
- Documents about responsible parents
- Documents attesting to a person’s good character, such as an Australian national police check and a criminal clearance certificate
- Citizenship paperwork indicating that your citizenship has been revoked
Step 2: Apply to resume Australian citizenship.
You may complete the Form 132 application and mail it to the address shown on the form and certified copies of the required papers. Applicants may submit their applications from inside or outside Australia.
Step 3: Make the payment.
The application fee must be paid in full at the time of submitting the application form.
Step 4: Wait for the official communication.
Once the processes above are accomplished, all that remains is for the appropriate authorities to contact you. Then, almost certainly, you will get an email informing you of the result of your application.
If your application is successful, you will get documentation establishing your Australian citizenship. It will take ten business days from the date of approval to get it. However, if you apply from outside the nation, the process may take longer.
On the other side, if your application is denied, you will get a letter explaining why. In addition, an applicant may appeal a decision to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
