Would you like dual citizenship or Australian nationality? Read here.

Posted by Md Khann on November 12th, 2019

Many people choose to make Australia their home. However, being able to live and work in Australia is not the same as being an Australian citizen - having a residence permit does not allow you to vote or have an Australian passport.

If you want to become Australian but do not want to give up your current nationality, then the right choice for you is dual nationality. The same applies if you are Australian but wish to become a citizen of another country. Take a look at how to make this possible.

Can I have dual citizenship in Australia?

Yes, you can. Provided that the other nation also accepts dual citizenship - it must be feasible in both countries. for getting an AUS Visa service  Australia visa Singapore

You will need to be eligible to become an Australian citizen. You are eligible if one of your parents is Australian or you were born and raised there, or if you have legally lived in Australia for a while. On the Australian Government website, you can check if you have the right qualifications.

Which countries do not allow dual citizenship with Australia?

Some countries generally do not allow dual citizenship (with some exceptions) - such as Austria, Germany, India, Japan, Holland, and Norway. If you come from one of these countries and want to obtain Australian citizenship - or I were Australian and want to get the nationality of one of these countries - then you will probably have to give up your current nationality.

Which countries allow dual citizenship with Australia?

Most countries allow dual citizenship, including Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. But each country has complex laws on dual nationality, so you will need to check your exact situation with the other country - going to their embassy is a good starting point.

Can I have triple or multiple citizenship in Australia?

Of course, if you have the necessary qualifications. Australia allows multiple citizenships, with two or more countries, as long as it is legal according to all the parties involved. So, if you were already a citizen of two other countries and then settled in Australia, you could acquire Australian citizenship and get your third nationality.

Up to how many nationalities can I have?

There is no established limit. What holds back the acquisition of multiple nationalities is being suitable for all, which is often difficult.

How do you lose your Australian citizenship?

You may have to renounce Australian citizenship if you wish to become a citizen of a country that does not allow dual nationality.

You will have to make a formal request to renounce your citizenship, and you can only do so if you already have another country ready to give you citizenship - it is not possible to renounce Australian citizenship and become stateless.

Citizens with dual nationality could see their Australian citizenship revoked only in some cases, as if during a war they had to fight against Australia or were members of a terrorist association, or if they were sentenced to serve a sentence of at least 6 years for some specific crimes.

How can I become an Australian citizen?

Assuming that you are not entitled to Australian citizenship by birth, you will need to be eligible for naturalization. These are the criteria for eligibility:

You are currently a permanent resident in Australia

You have been living legally in Australia for the last 4 years, you have been a permanent resident during the last year, and you have not left the country for long periods in this time frame

You are 'of good character' - that is, you have a clean criminal record

You speak English at least on a basic level for getting an AUS Visa service  Australia visa Singapore

You intend to stay

You will need to pass a test or interview, unless you are under 18 or over 60, or you are a member of another minority category.

The Australian Government website also lists requirements and steps for eligibility to apply.

The process is not particularly complex, but it is a bit long:

Track down all the necessary documents - including your ID, residence certificate and your birth certificate. You can send copies first and then bring the originals with you only to the future interview with an officer.

Have the necessary documents translated, in case they were not in English?

Fill out the online application form.

Present the application, along with the required fee, which can go up to 285 Australian dollars.

When requested, go to an appointment to check your documentation and submit to the test or confirmation interview.

After all this, you will only have to take part in the nationalization ceremony and take the oath. Congratulations: you are now an Australian citizen!

How long does it take to become an Australian citizen?

First of all, you must have lived in the country for 4 years. Then you will have to follow the entire procedure described above and wait for the citizenship ceremony, which is a legal requirement. Usually, the ceremony takes place 6 months after applying - and technically, you are not a citizen until the end of it.

As a whole, the process can take a long time - the government website shows total estimates - and it is, therefore, worthwhile to plan everything well, especially if in the meantime you plan to travel abroad for long periods.

If I'm going to get dual citizenship, do I have to inform both countries of my new citizenship, or will national bureaucracies take care of it?

Of course, you will not have to inform Australia that you are about to become an Australian citizen - the local bureaucracy will already know. Regarding your other nationality instead - check carefully which are the relative laws in force on the double nationality, and appropriately contact who is necessary if necessary.