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Australian
Citizenship Act Reforms
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The
Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Mr Gary
Hardgrave outlined changes to the 55-year-old Australian
Citizenship Act to bring it into line with the reality of
modern Australia in Sydney on 7 July 2004.
Once the changes become law, thousands of former Australians who
live overseas and automatically forfeited their Australian
citizenship when they acquired another citizenship before 4 April
2002 will be able to resume their lost citizenship simply by showing
that they are of good character.
As part of the package of reforms, former Australian citizens who
renounced their Australian citizenship under Section 18 of the Act
to acquire or retain another citizenship, or renounced to avoid
significant hardship or disadvantage, will also be given the
opportunity to resume their Australian citizenship.
The provisions in the Australian Citizenship Act 1948 for the
registration of citizenship by descent will also be amended. Currently,
the legacy of a patchwork of amendments over the years randomly
excludes particular pockets of individuals from registering as
Australian citizens by descent purely due to their date of birth. Once
the Act is amended, the only requirements that will apply to an
overseas-born person seeking registration as an Australian citizen
by descent will be that at least one of their parents was an
Australian citizen at the time of their birth; that the person is of
good character if 18 years or over; and, if a parent of the
applicant acquired Australian citizenship by descent themselves,
that parent must have spent a total of two years in Australia as a
lawful resident.
Legislation to amend the Australian Citizenship Act has still to be
drafted, introduced and passed by both Houses of Parliament and then
assented to by the Governor-General before people who will benefit
from the changes can take action with regard to their personal
situation. It is unclear when the legislation will be introduced
into the House of Representatives, but information available at this
stage appears to indicate that it is unlikely to be introduced
before the federal election is called, and will probably therefore
not come into force until some time in 2005.
Further Information:
Media Release of 7 July 2004 by Gary Hardgrave, Minister for
Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs:
http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/cam/media/media04/h04128.htm
Minister's Speech of 7 July 2004 Announcing Changes:
http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/cam/media/speeches/sydinstitute_07_04.htm
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US
Visas |
The
Bureau of Consular Affairs of the U.S. Department of State has
issued important advice regarding the issuance of visas to stay in
the United States.
As
it applies to Australians and New Zealanders, Australians and New
Zealanders in the United States
that do not have "Green Cards" need to know that the US
Government will no longer renew visas "in country" for
applications received at their processing centers after 16 July,
2004
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This information can be found at http://www.travel.state.gov/revals.html
, which advises of this change in processing policy and how
it affects each visa class.
After 16 July, 2004
, people needing to renew their visas need to leave the United
States
to renew their visas.
If they are not traveling to their home country, they
may apply at a U.S.
visa processing
post in Canada
and Mexico
provided they have made a visa
interview appointment. They may also apply at a U.S.
visa processing post in a third country provided they have made an interview appointment. They should understand that if there is a
delay in visa issuance, they may need to spend more time overseas than they originally planned. Information on U.S.
visa processing posts and their visa interview appointment systems is at
http://usembassy.state.gov
A business associate, friend, or relative may need to make the visa interview appointment for the applicant.
Please note that the Australian Embassy and Consulates are
unable to provide any assistance, or any further information in
relation to the issue of US visas.
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