[kanga2021]

Hey folks,

Posting this question on behalf of a friend who approached me.

She was granted her PR in April 2020. She is looking to apply for Citizenship in May 2021. Prior to her PR grant, she was overseas for 6 months without a visa but was continuously in Australia before that on a work visa and has not left the country since PR grant.

One of the eligibility criteria for Citizenship for PRs is "living in Australia on a valid visa for the past 4 years". Since she did not have a valid visa for roughly 6 months in between 2019-2020, does this mean she cannot apply for citizenship now even though she meets all the other criteria? She has spent <1 year outside Australia in the last 4 years.

Has anybody received Citizenship where anytime in the 4 years before application they did not hold a substantive visa?

Thank you.

 

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasher]

As long as she had a valid visa for the period she was in Australia she can apply - if you aren't in Australia, visa status is irrelevant.

 

[paulhand]

As long as she had a valid visa for the period she was in Australia she can apply - if you aren't in Australia, visa status is irrelevant.

True in most cases, but letting a permanent visa lapse when outside Australia resets the final 12 month as a permanent resident period.