Disclaimer: Please note that the information we provide in this article about visa lawyers Sydney is current as at the date of publication, the DHA changes the rules and regulations regularly. Please check the official updates before making any decisions or speak to an immigration lawyer for the latest information as the laws and conditions are subject to change.
Citizenship lawyers in Australia help clients who face legal matters about their Australian citizenship applications. Many dream of starting a new life in another country and gaining citizenship at most. This is because being a citizen in another country provides more benefits than as compared to being a visitor or a tourist. In Australia, permanent residents and Australian citizens can:
- Stay in Australia for good
- Pursue employment in Australia and choose a wide array of schools or universities to study from
- Enrol in Medicare which is Australia’s universal healthcare system
- Access Australian financial services. This includes mortgages, loans, and options to purchase and invest in property
- Sponsor their family member in case they also want to move to Australia permanently
- Gain full political rights and privileges
- Enjoy unrestricted travel to and from Australia
- Receive support and protection from the Australian government while overseas
Do these benefits sound nice to you? You may secure these smoothly with the help of citizenship lawyers! Let’s read this article on how they can be of help with such matters.
3 Options For Australian Citizenship
1. Citizenship by Conferral
So how can a person become an Australian citizen by conferral? If they choose this path, the applicant must:
- Firstly, Be at least 18 years old and have held Australian permanent residency for a year or who is an eligible New Zealand citizen
- Secondly, have a four-year legal residency period and must pass a citizenship test. The test demonstrates the applicant’s basic knowledge of Australia and its values.
- Lastly, demonstrate good character and intention to continue residing in Australia and maintain strong ties to the country.
2. Citizenship by Descent
An applicant may qualify for this option if they were born overseas to an Australian citizen parent. The eligibility criteria will depend on the applicant’s birth date. Here are the conditions:
- Born after January 26, 1949: One parent must have been in Australian citizen at the time of your birth.
- Born before January 26, 1949: One parent must have an Australian citizenship on January January 26, 1949 is required.
3. Citizenship by Adoption
Australian citizenship is also available for applicants adopted outside Australia. According to the Hague Convention, an Australian citizen can adopt a child and the adopted child can claim citizenship. Alternatively, children adopted within Australia or overseas under Australian law, residing as a permanent resident with an Australian citizen adoptive parent, can also apply.
You may want to consider hiring citizenship lawyers since adoption matters can also become complicated.
Read: Checklist for Citizenship Application Australia | JB Solicitors
Citizenship Lawyers: Common Reasons for Citizenship Refusal
Australian citizenship is a significant milestone for many people. However, a single error can hinder this achievement. Given the life-altering implications of citizenship, it’s important to know the common pitfalls that may lead citizenship application rejections. Let’s have a look.
1. Not Passing the Citizenship Test
This test may not be as difficult as university exams, but this test will dictate your stay in Australia. Applicants must thoroughly prepare for an Australian citizenship test and what better way to try it with a practice test! This practice test stays up to date on Australian Citizenship.
2. Not Meeting Residency Requirements
Residency requirements are paramount in gaining Australian citizenship. A person cannot just casually enter Australia and call themselves an Australian citizen. Applicants must have lived in Australia for four years if they are on a valid visa which also includes 1 year of permanent residency.
3. Character Concerns
Applicants who may have unsatisfactory character results may lead to citizenship refusals. Of course, Australia will be careful of such applicants because they may be a threat to Australia’s security and its citizens. Criminal convictions, ongoing legal matters, or undisclosed information can jeopardise the application. Hence, applicants must provide full transparency to avoid complications.
4. Insufficient Evidence (Citizenship by Descent)
Some applicants may provide insufficient evidence if they are applying for Australian citizenship by descent. This may include inaccurate (or maybe even tampered) information on birth certificates, citizenship certificates, and passports. Citizenship lawyers can help applicants who are accused wrongly of providing insufficient evidence for citizenship.
What About Dual Citizenship?
Dual citizenship essentially means being a citizen of two different countries. But what are the implications if you’re already a citizen of a country and plan to become an Australian citizen? Some potential drawbacks may include:
- Double taxation
- Exemptions from certain career paths
- Military obligation
- Complicated procedures for divorce, marriage, and child custody
Though, fret not! Dual citizenship still offers a lot of opportunities and benefits like:
- Travel opportunities with simple or minimal visa requirements
- Business opportunities despite tax implications
- Multiple paths for certain careers
- More options for enrolling in universities and schools
- Choosing a better healthcare system or something that fits their standards or circumstances
What Can Citizenship Lawyers Do?
Citizenship lawyers can help you evaluate what you need for your Australian citizenship application. They will continue to ensure that your documents comply with Australia’s strict government guidelines. Afterwards, they may help you submit your application with minimal errors and delays.
Since citizenship tests also involve the knowledge of basic laws, what better way to consult with lawyers? Lawyers are knowledgeable about various legal matters (in this case, immigration, visa, and citizenship matters). Such legal professionals can also help with complex immigration matters like dual citizenship, character assessments, and citizenship by descent.
Our Citizenship Lawyers at JB Solicitors
We at JB Solicitors have immigration lawyers who can help you with various immigration law matters. Need help with your visa matters? Our lawyers can help with identifying the best pathway for your visa application. What about securing Australian citizenship? Of course, we only provide the best lawyers for our clients and help them join the Australian community.
Moreover, our experienced immigration lawyers can also help refugees and immigrants who want to integrate themselves in Australia and gain benefits fully. Let us help you join us in the Land Down Under.
Contact us today if you need our team of citizenship lawyers for your legal matters.
