The Government has just announced its long awaited changes for NZ citizens living in Australia to apply for Australian citizenship.

Previously NZ citizens first had to apply for permanent residency but that step has now been removed.  NZ Citizens now have to show that they have been living lawfully in Australia for the previous four years.  This includes living in Australia on the special purpose 444 visa most NZ Citizens hold.

All applicants still need to satisfy the general residency requirement.  To meet this requirement you must;
- Have lived in Australia for the last four years lawfully;
- Have not been absent from Australia for more than 12 months in the last four years; and
- Have not been absent from Australia for more than 90 days in the 12 month period immediately before applying.

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The normal steps in making a citizenship application will still apply in that you will need to attend an interview and sit the citizenship test unless exempt.  Character test requirements apply to all applications.

The changes will commence 1 July 2023.  If you would like to commence preparation of an application for immediate filing on 1 July 2023 please contact us today.

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