The Australian authorities announced this weekend that starting from July 1, 2023, there will be a direct pathway for eligible citizens of New Zealand to Australian citizenship, putting an end to the controversial visa rules.
In line with the new rules that are set to become effective in July, citizens of New Zealand living in Australia for four years or more will be able to file an application for Australian citizenship without having to become permanent residents of the country first, the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese said, VisaGuide.World reports.
“Australia and New Zealand are more than friends. We are whānau – family. And from July 1, there will be a direct pathway for eligible New Zealand citizens to Australian Citizenship,” Albanese wrote on his official Twitter account.
In addition, Albanese said that the authorities are aware that many New Zealanders are in Australia on a Special Category Visa while working and building their lives. The same stressed that many citizens of New Zealand have chosen to contribute to Australia and noted that the new change would give them the opportunity to enjoy Australian citizenship rights and obligations.
“Many New Zealanders choose to live and contribute to our country. This change will give them the opportunity to become Australian citizens and enjoy the rights and obligations that come from citizenship,” the statement of Albanese reads.
CNN explains that New Zealand had campaigned for changes since 2001, when visa rules were altered and made it more difficult for citizens of the country residing in Australia to get citizenship. However, as soon as the new rules enter into force, the process will not be as complicated as before.
The good news was immediately welcomed by New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, who said that this is the most significant improvement in the rights of citizens of New Zealand living in Australia in a generation.
Hipkins further explained that all citizens of New Zealand taking Australian citizenship will be able to keep their New Zealand citizenship and, at the same time, highlighted that dual citizens draw the two countries together.
Hipkins further said that the changes also mean that children born in Australia since July to a New Zealand parent based in Australia would also be automatically entitled to citizenship.
According to CNN, there are currently around 670,000 citizens of New Zealand living in Australia. On the other hand, there around only around 70,000 citizens of Australia living in New Zealand.
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