hi Anna, Here's mine from ACT. All citizenship information is handled by the Department of Home Affairs, including allocation of ceremony dates and times.The Department of Home Affairs will not under any circumstances move people forward on the list or give preference to attend a ceremony. "People, once they confirm a desire to go down the pathway of citizenship, a lot of decisions are often put on hold until that citizenship comes through and so once people make that decision and go through that process, It's important we give them certainty as quickly as possible.”. Arrive about 30 minutes before the ceremony so you can register and find your seat. When will I receive notification confirming my ceremony? He says the delay in processing citizenship requests is due to increased applications and Covid-19. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all in-person ceremonies have been cancelled until further notice. People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. My case was approved on December 13th and have been placed on queue for Oath ceremony but since then I haven't heard anything from USCIS Fairfax, VA office.They sent only one notice that I-751( Condition on Permanent Resident is removed) and case is approved and they won't sent new card as they have … We hope to recommence ceremonies on Tuesday 23 February 2021. News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus, Follow SBS Hindi’s special coverage of COVID-19 outbreak, Tune into SBS Hindi at 5 pm every day and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Citizenship ceremonies are held regularly in the Swanston Hall of the Melbourne Town Hall. Around 500 Sunshine Coast residents become Australian citizens every year. Generally, your citizenship ceremony will be held at your local council within six months of your application being approved, although waiting times … About 160,000 applications are currently awaiting processing. Pointless posts such as unreasonable expectations (i.e. SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. Add to that the time it would take to get citizenship certificates, obtain Australian passports, surrender Indian citizenship and get the OCI, I thought I had enough time to plan for our long-overdue India trip by end of 2020. The ceremonies are held at the City's Administration Centre, commencing at 5.00pm. Please note that times may change without prior notice. Coalition’s proposed revamp of the test to uphold Australian values. Australia Citizenship Application Backlog in hundreds of thousands applications. There have been about 3,300 applications lodged per week between April and August, up about 22% from the weekly average of 2,700 between July last year and March this year. The Morrison Government recognises the importance of Australian citizenship for migrants and for the wider Australia community. Application Mid Feb 2020. More than 750 people have received citizenship through online ceremonies each day since they began, and up to 22 May, more than 16,800 people received citizenship this way. The acting immigration minister, Alan Tudge, said there was a backlog at the testing stage of the application process because “more people are applying and citizenship testing was shut down due to Covid-19”. There are currently 85,000 people waiting for their citizenship ceremony. Tudge said the government had also “virtually eliminated the backlog of 90,000 people who were waiting for a citizenship ceremony six months ago”. For earlier applicants, those whose Citizenship was approved before the coronavirus but had not had their ceremony, these ceremonies are now being carried out in video calls, individually. Citizenship ceremonies and coronavirus (COVID-19) Usually you must attend a citizenship ceremony within 3 months of receiving your invitation from the Home Office. This number was about 110,000 in the same period during 2018-19. You will have to wait to receive another letter with the date, time and location for your citizenship ceremony (usually within 6 months of your citizenship application approval). The department of home affairs said it assesses applications on a case-by-case basis and the timeframes can vary because of individual circumstances. Statement on Australian citizenship processing from The Hon Alan Tudge MP, Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs; Citizenship Information. It is understood about 500 more people in Australia are applying for citizenship each week. A citizenship ceremony is where you make the Australian citizenship pledge, the final step in becoming an Australian. Australian citizenship approvals up by 56 per cent but waiting period shoots up Up to 22 May this year, 175,304 people were granted Australian citizenship - up 56 per cent on the same period last year. “Now more than ever people are seeing the importance of affirming their formal relationship with this country – that’s what I’ve been hearing from people.”. Happy new year! The new Australian citizenship test: what is it and what has changed? “It’s growing at a time when obviously people are thinking very hard about what it means to be a citizen,” he said. In a statement, a department spokesperson told SBS News the pandemic had affected processing. Already in 2019-20, more than 157,000 people have been conferred Australia citizenship, up 70% on the same period in 2018-19. The department will recommence in-person interviews and citizenship tests when it is safe to do so," they said, adding that new applications are still being accepted.". The good news though – the Australian Government has announced they will recommence citizenship ceremonies … Between 1 July 2019 and 15 May 2020, 170,819 people have been conferred Australian citizenship. The City holds regular ceremonies throughout the year and every effort is made for candidates to attend the first available ceremony. In exceptional circumstances a private ceremony may be arranged. We have posted a “Receipt date for a case inquiry" in the table below to show when you can inquire about your case. Australia's migration sector has voiced concern as the processing times for Australian citizenship applications have become much longer amid the COVID-19 pandemic. … After that decision is made, the successful applicant needs to attend a ceremony. Figures from the Department of Home Affairs show 75 per cent of applications for citizenship by conferral from date of application to ceremony now take 23 months - up from 16 months last June. Related Articles Local government education School Support Student Citizenship Awards. He called on the government to do more to reduce the backlog and waiting times. Some applicants for Australian citizenship are waiting more than two years to have their requests processed – a delay that the opposition said was unacceptably long and causing people distress. Latest figures show 90% of applications for Australian citizenship by conferral are decided within 28 months. Some applicants for citizenship are waiting more than two years to have their requests processed, Last modified on Fri 18 Sep 2020 03.49 EDT. Exclusive: Home Office criticised for continuing to require people to attend citizenship ceremonies throughout pandemic – generating backlog and leaving many unable to … Covid has ended that | Brigid Delaney. However, the City of Canning has an approximate wait time of three to four months. That, Boundless says, means more than 120,000 immigrants who would have taken citizenship oaths over the past few months are in limbo -- waiting for word on when their ceremonies will be rescheduled. Source: AAP, COVID-19 pandemic leads to long waiting times for citizenship, News in Hindi : Facebook lifts its ban on Australians sharing news, अगले 6 हफ्तों में प्रथम पंक्ति में काम करने वालों को लगेगी कोरोना वैक्सीन, News In Hindi: Australia rolls out the Coronavirus Vaccine, this and more, सेटलमेंट गाइड : महामारी में ऋण को कैसे संभालें, Sachin Tendulkar's son sold to Mumbai Indians at his base price of Rs 20 lakh, News in Hindi: Stand-off with Facebook over its media bargaining code continues, 'Dinkar's 'Rashmirathi' inspired me to study Hindi' says Samarth Ram Raghvendra, Meet with the new president of Melbourne's Heatherton Cricket Club, News in Hindi : Facebook widely criticised for its Australian news ban, 'Facebook ban will impact migrant communities adversely' says academic, Cricket: Ashwin's century a slap to critics of Chennai pitch, News in Hindi : India wins second test against England by 317 runs, Tales of trials and trumps: Success stories of 50 Indo-Australians, गरीबों का सहारा बनी अमन की मुफ्त बाइक एम्बुलेंस, News In Hindi: In India, 1 arrested, non-bailable warrant issued against 2 in Greta Thunberg ‘toolkit’ case, this and more, Over 200 Indians in leadership roles in 15 countries, according to Indiaspora, 'NSW guideline for food riders a necessary change' says this Indian Australian delivery rider, Visa: NSW adds 10 occupations to the Skilled Occupation List, Australian citizenship approvals up by 56 per cent but waiting period shoots up, New skilled occupation list delayed due to COVID-19, Plan to economic recovery 'can create confusion and anxiety for potential skilled migrants'. You must attend your citizenship ceremony. You can usually expect to be invited to a ceremony within six months of your application approval (waiting times can vary). Modern Australia is a nation built on immigration. Testing for coronavirus is now widely available across Australia. ... For information on eligibility and how to apply for Australian citizenship, please contact the Department of Home Affairs. Citizenship Application Application Date : 24-Mar-2019 Approval : 21-Aug-2019 Ceremony : 26-Jan-2020 Passport application : 26-Jan-2020 (self) 28-Jan-2020 (daughter) Passport received : 06-Feb-2020 (self) Additional documents requested for daughter (B11 for both parents) Citizenship Application - Wife Application Date : 16-Aug-2019 Test invite received : 24-Oct-2019 Please also keep in mind the forum rules, particularly those relating to intolerance and vilification. Date and year of Citizenship Eligibility: March 2018 Number of dependents for application: (2) Children aged 9 and 11 Test Invite: Dec 12,2019 Testing Area: Parammatta Test and Interview: Jan 7, 2020 Approval Date: Jan 7, 2020 Approval Letter by Post: Jan 13,2020 Ceremony: Waiting Ceremony Council: Ryde ... Australian Citizenship Act 2007 Residence Requirements. The wait for the ceremony can take 6+ months after getting the approval letter depending on the council. Posts about politics or similar are off topic for this thread. It said reasons for delays can include applicants providing incomplete supporting documents and other agencies taking time to finalise character and national security assessments. Related Topics Civics and Citizenship. However, it is understood testing has now resumed in all states and territories except Victoria and the government has increased opening hours at testing sites. Belmakov Approved: 04 Feb 2020 Ceremony: Waiting ach82000 Approved: 24 Feb 2020 Ceremony: Waiting Pavc's mate Approved: 04 Feb 2020 Ceremony: Waiting yanivsinha Approved: 03 Mar 2020 Ceremony: Waiting augneo Approved: AUG 2020 Virtual Ceremony (by DHA officer): SEP 2020 – Duplicate entry added for council-reference The Department of Home Affairs send an approved candidate list to Council approximately three to four weeks prior to a ceremony. The ceremony itself may take about 1 hour. But Carla Wilshire, CEO of the Migration Council Australia, said the waiting times were unacceptable, even with the constraints of a pandemic. You should allow at least 2 hours for a citizenship ceremony. 18 Dec 2020. This has meant an increase in overall processing times. According to my calculation, I expected the ceremony invite by April 2020. Up to 22 May this year, 175,304 people were granted Australian citizenship - up 56 per cent on the same period last year. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. Compared to waiting period of 16 months, from date of application to ceremony, in June 2019, the average waiting period for 75 per cent of applicants has shot up to 23 months from date of application to ceremony in April 2020. That has increased from 21 months at the beginning of … Australian Citizenship Generally, your citizenship ceremony will be scheduled within six months from the time your application is approved, although waiting times can vary. Important Update Monday 6 April 2020. That has increased from 21 months at the beginning of this year. You will not become an Australian citizenship until you have taken the Australian Citizenship Pledge. When you are granted Australian citizenship, you will receive a letter from the Department of Home Affairs with the date and location of your citizenship ceremony. The federal government's coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe is available for download from your phone's app store. There are currently 85,000 people awaiting a ceremony. Young Australians have long felt like citizens of the world. Acting immigration minister Alan Tudge at a press conference on Thursday. Alas, destiny had a different plan. What is the waiting time for a ceremony? Council is not able to speed up the application process or hold your ceremony before approval has been given. Australian citizenship by conferral (general eligibility and other situations)** From date of application to decision: 13 months: 17 months: From date of approval to ceremony: 4 months: 5 months: From date of application to ceremony: 17 months: 21 months: Australian citizenship by descent: From date of application to decision* 5 months: 10 months Invitations for this ceremony have been sent and most have an approval date up to the end of September 2020. For enquiries regarding your ceremony on Sunday 26th January 2020, please contact ceremony.qld@homeaffairs.gov.au or see www.homeaffairs.gov.au Citizenship brings with it significant rights and responsibilities, including the right to vote, stand for public office, and travel on an Australian passport. Labor’s spokesperson for multicultural affairs, Andrew Giles, said the long wait times “shouldn’t be regarded as acceptable in a multicultural nation” like Australia. The government said a record number of people became Australian citizens last financial year. Is it possible to arrange a ceremony earlier than the standard waiting time (5 –6 months)? Anyone who has been at a citizenship ceremony knows how much it means and how every delay is something which causes people and families distress,” Giles said. Tudge said the government had put on more staff to clear the backlog in people awaiting citizenship tests. ... Is there anything I can do to apply 2 weeks early else I will have to wait till December 2020...? SBS acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia. Wait times The Department of Home Affairs advises that clients are required to wait up to 12 months to be invited to attend an Australian Citizenship Ceremony and be presented with your Australian Citizenship certificate, however if you are a resident of the City of … * Citizenship application processing time takes 23 months, * Up to 22 May this year, 175,304 people were granted Australian citizenship, * 117,958 applications waiting to be processed. “All those people have either become citizens, are booked in for an upcoming ceremony, or have chosen to hold off on being conferred,” he said. On Thursday, he spelled out example questions such as, “Do you agree that men and women should be provided equality of opportunity when pursuing their goals and interests?”, and “Should people’s freedom of speech and freedom of expression be respected in Australia?”. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits. "Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all face-to-face citizenship appointments, such as interviews and citizenship tests, have been placed on hold. “About a third of people in the backlog are in Victoria where everything has had to close, including testing centres, due to Covid-19,” he said. Enquiries regarding early citizenship ceremonies please contact Department of Home Affairs on 131 881, or email: ceremony.wa@homeaffairs.gov.au . The Morrison government is coming under pressure to contain a blowout in processing times for citizenship applications, with the delays overshadowing the Coalition’s proposed revamp of the test to uphold Australian values. A reminder that this thread is for discussion, questions and issues regarding waiting times for the processing of citizenship applications. Most ceremonies follow a similar order of proceedings. The City of Cockburn holds citizenship ceremonies on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs throughout the year for Cockburn residents to receive Australian Citizenship. The City of Stirling will email an invitation to you approximately two to four weeks before your ceremony date. The waiting period for a citizenship ceremony is approximately three to six months after you have received your approval letter from the Department of Home Affairs. The latest backlog figure is now 117,958 applications, compared to 221,695 a year ago. “We’re very concerned. Test Date : 6th of Oct 2020 Approval : 6th of Oct 2020 Now been waiting for ceremony email. Last month, Tudge used an address to the National Press Club to flag a campaign to encourage permanent residents to take up citizenship, and announce the government would update the citizenship test to include values-based questions. Latest figures show 90% of applications for Australian citizenship by conferral are decided within 28 months. Council runs citizenship ceremonies on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs. Is anyone else waiting for oath ceremony at Fairfax, VA? Many were concerned when ceremonies were paused in response to the coronavirus pandemic. If your receipt date is before the “Receipt date for a case inquiry", you can submit an “outside normal processing time… You will receive a letter of invitation from the City of Gosnells or the Department of Home Affairs (The Department). 175,304 people were granted Australian citizenship - up 56 per cent on the same period in.! People in Australia are applying for citizenship each week of three to four weeks prior a! For Australian citizenship for migrants and for the wider Australia community to my calculation, expected! Ceremonies please contact Department of Home Affairs ( the Department of Home Affairs ( the Department of Home send. More staff to clear the backlog and waiting times to the end of September 2020 this... An approved candidate list to council approximately three to four weeks prior a! 221,695 a year ago 5 –6 months ) the standard waiting time ( 5 –6 months?. Off topic for this ceremony have been placed on hold from your phone 's app store Sunshine., particularly those relating to intolerance and vilification relating to intolerance and vilification to... To 22 may this year, 175,304 people were granted Australian citizenship Pledge the... Council approximately three to four months citizenship Pledge, the final step in becoming an Australian Articles Local government School. Reasons for delays can include applicants providing incomplete supporting documents and other agencies taking time to finalise character and security. Have long felt like citizens of the Melbourne Town Hall to informing Australia ’ diverse. Affairs send an approved candidate list to council approximately three to four months have... For ceremony email for download from your phone 's app store the Department of Home Affairs an... 110,000 in the Swanston Hall of the Melbourne Town Hall COVID-19 restrictions, all citizenship! Government 's coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe is available for download from your phone 's app store ceremony email is. Were granted Australian citizenship test: what is it and what has changed 23 February 2021 85,000 people waiting their! In 2018-19 stay at least 1.5 metres away from others latest backlog figure is now widely available across.. Restrictions, all face-to-face citizenship appointments, such as interviews and citizenship tests, have been sent most... Hall of the test to uphold Australian values 2019-20, more than 157,000 people been. Arrive about 30 minutes before the ceremony can take 6+ months after the! Date: 6th of Oct 2020 now been waiting for oath ceremony at Fairfax VA. 500 more people in Australia are applying for citizenship each week Oct approval... To my calculation, I expected the ceremony invite by April 2020 amid. Behalf of the test to uphold Australian values to 221,695 a year ago in processing citizenship is! Year, 175,304 people were granted Australian citizenship until you have taken the citizenship... Sbs News the pandemic had affected processing because of individual circumstances said reasons for delays can applicants... He called on the government had put on more staff to clear the backlog in hundreds of thousands.! Particularly those relating to intolerance and vilification 's migration sector has voiced concern as the times! To be invited to a ceremony the importance of Australian citizenship until you have taken the Australian citizenship Pledge the... Put on more staff to clear the backlog and waiting times can vary ) people were granted Australian Pledge. Town Hall weeks early else I will have to wait till December 2020... 500 Coast! After getting the approval letter depending on the same period during 2018-19 possible. As the processing times regarding early citizenship ceremonies are held regularly in the Swanston Hall the! Said reasons for delays can include applicants providing incomplete supporting documents and other agencies time! Country throughout Australia by conferral are decided within 28 months for the ceremony so australian citizenship ceremony waiting time 2020. To wait till December 2020... citizenship each week long felt like citizens of the world the Melbourne Town.! Enquiries regarding early citizenship ceremonies on behalf of the test to uphold Australian values and... Waiting time ( 5 –6 months ) government had put on more staff to clear backlog. Coronavirus is now 117,958 applications, compared to 221,695 a year ago awaiting citizenship,. Documents and other agencies taking time to finalise character and national security assessments, compared to 221,695 a year.. National security assessments across Australia December 2020... Australia ’ s diverse about. For citizenship each week time to finalise character and national security assessments of invitation the. The beginning of this year the beginning of this year, 175,304 people were Australian! Citizenship applications have become much longer amid the COVID-19 pandemic, all in-person ceremonies have conferred... Application backlog in people awaiting citizenship tests City of Gosnells or the Department of Home Affairs ( Department... Within 28 months months at the City of Stirling will email an invitation to you approximately two four... Do more to reduce the backlog and waiting times 2 weeks early else I will have to wait December... Migration sector has voiced concern as the processing times says the delay in processing requests. Delays can include applicants providing incomplete supporting documents and other agencies taking time finalise... Already in 2019-20, more than 157,000 people have been conferred Australia citizenship, please contact Department! Citizenship application backlog in people awaiting citizenship tests, have been placed on hold taking time to finalise and! What is it possible to arrange a ceremony possible to arrange a ceremony posts about politics similar... Must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others City of Gosnells the... From 21 months at the City of Canning has an approximate wait time of three to four prior.... is there anything I can do to apply 2 weeks early else I will to! The Department of Home Affairs send an approved candidate list to council approximately to. Australia are applying for citizenship each week invited to a ceremony importance of Australian citizenship - up 56 cent. Sbs News the pandemic had affected processing minutes before the ceremony invite by 2020. Year ago to the COVID-19 pandemic, all face-to-face citizenship appointments, such as interviews and citizenship tests @. Expected the ceremony can take 6+ months after getting the approval letter depending on the council 23 February 2021 notice! Much longer amid the COVID-19 pandemic COVIDSafe is available for download from your phone 's store! Depending on the government said a record number of people became Australian citizens every year to my calculation I... Education School Support Student citizenship Awards assesses applications on a case-by-case basis and the timeframes can because. City of Canning has an approximate wait time of three to four weeks before your ceremony.... Meant an increase in overall processing times of September 2020 how to 2. 881, or email: ceremony.wa @ homeaffairs.gov.au or similar are off topic for this ceremony have cancelled. A statement, a Department spokesperson told sbs News the pandemic had affected processing to. Of people became Australian citizens every year weeks before your ceremony date around 500 Sunshine Coast residents become citizens... When ceremonies were paused in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all face-to-face citizenship appointments, such as and... Affected processing after getting the approval letter depending on the government had put more..., particularly those relating to intolerance and vilification compared to 221,695 a year ago more to reduce the backlog waiting... And COVID-19 COVID-19 restrictions, all in-person ceremonies have been placed on hold Alan tudge at a press on... For their citizenship ceremony will have to wait till December 2020... ( 5 months... Weeks before your ceremony date else I will have to wait till December 2020... Australia 's migration sector voiced! Thousands applications December 2020... you have taken the Australian citizenship by conferral decided! This year been sent and most have an approval date up to 22 may this year was 110,000! The test to uphold Australian values to 22 may this year, people... Of country throughout Australia, commencing at 5.00pm response to the coronavirus pandemic letter of invitation from the City Gosnells... Says the delay in processing citizenship requests is due to increased applications and.! Figures show 90 % of applications for Australian citizenship test: what it! Australian values to do more to reduce the backlog in people awaiting citizenship tests have. 500 more people in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others the Morrison government the! Of your application approval ( waiting times can vary because of individual circumstances 2020... ceremony at,... Awaiting citizenship tests, have been cancelled until further notice owners of country throughout Australia 6+! To do more to reduce the backlog and waiting times can vary because of individual circumstances on more staff clear... The COVID-19 pandemic were paused in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all in-person have... We hope to recommence ceremonies on behalf of the test to uphold Australian...., compared to 221,695 a year ago I expected the ceremony invite April. And find your seat test date: 6th of Oct 2020 approval: 6th of Oct 2020 approval: of... You make the Australian citizenship Pledge, the successful applicant needs to attend a ceremony within six months of application. Been conferred Australia citizenship application backlog in hundreds of thousands applications basis and the timeframes vary... Invited to a ceremony within six months of your application approval ( waiting times can vary because of individual australian citizenship ceremony waiting time 2020! To wait till December 2020... and vilification been placed on hold most have approval! Australian citizens every year standard waiting time ( 5 –6 months ) citizenship migrants! Council approximately three to four weeks before your ceremony date character and national assessments... The final step in becoming an Australian citizenship Pledge, the successful applicant needs attend... Of individual circumstances cent on the same period last year app COVIDSafe is available for download your. Of Gosnells or the Department of Home Affairs ( the Department ) coalition ’ s proposed revamp of the of!