Australian citizenship applications are being processed faster than ever, with an 83 percent increase in the number of citizenship applications finalised in the last half of 2018, compared to the same period of time in 2017.
The Minister of Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Mr David Coleman, states that the investment has helped boost available resources at the Department of Home Affairs, which has quickened the processing of citizenship applications.
The Government is currently creating a more efficient and functionable citizenship processing system. This improvement will see an even higher rate of Australian citizenship applications being processed in coming years.
However, it is not all good news for those applying for an Australian citizenship. In spite of the increase in the number of applications finalised, the waitlist for citizenship approvals is at an all-time high, with 245,000 citizenship applications awaiting an outcome.
As of June 2018, the average processing waiting times have increased from 14 months to 18 months.
Mr David Coleman attributes the long processing times to “national security threats’ and the Departments efforts to ensure the safety of all Australians, with additional integrity measures being taken to verify the identity and character of applicants.
“We did see last year, the impact an increased security process had. We also had an issue with the system that people who are applying for citizenship are applying with limited documentation.” – Mr David Coleman
The spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs also stated that higher demand for Australian citizenship and an increase in the number of complex cases have played an integral role in the delay of processing applications.
How do I reduce the waiting time for my Australian Citizenship application?
Actual processing times may vary due to individual circumstances, which means the Department assesses each application on a case-by-case basis. Changes in application volumes, seasonal peaks and complex cases will have a direct impact upon the time taken to process your Australian citizenship application. Fortunately, there are some factors that you can control that will help you secure your Australian citizenship sooner. These include;
- Whether you included all necessary documents in the application you lodged;
- How fast you respond to requests for more information;
- How long it takes to perform required checks on the supporting information provided
- How long it takes to retrieve other information from external agencies, including character, national security and health requirements;
- The time taken to attend a Citizenship Ceremony or receive a Citizenship Certificate
Getting your Australian Citizenship application right the first time will save you time and money. Results Migration are the best in the field, with a team of experienced migration lawyers and registered migration agents that are available to guide you through the Australian Citizenship application process and ensure you are set up for success. If you wish to apply for an Australian Citizenship, or want to discuss your options, call Results Migration on 1800 808 717 to book in your free consultation today!
