Australia Enforces Strict Travel Rules for Citizenship Applicants

Australia has implemented stringent travel restrictions for foreigners seeking citizenship, as outlined by the Department of Home Affairs. Applicants must reside in Australia on a valid visa for four continuous years prior to their application.

During this period, they cannot spend more than 12 months outside Australia in total. The restrictions intensify in the year leading up to the application, where applicants may not be absent for more than 90 days.

Additionally, applicants must hold a permanent visa or a Special Category Visa (SCV) for the 12 months preceding their application. Children under 16 are exempt from the general residence requirement but must have permanent resident status.

SCV holders traveling abroad are treated as permanent residents for citizenship purposes if they held an SCV before leaving Australia. Meeting these residence requirements is mandatory for eligibility, and failure to satisfy any condition will result in ineligibility to apply for citizenship.