passport dilemma

[gr76]

Hi there
I am about to become an Aussie citizen but also hold Kiwi and British passports (I'm collecting them). About a month after the citizenship ceremony I travel to the UK and the dilemma is whether I need to fork out for an Australian passport now or whether I will still be allowed to use my NZ passport to leave and enter Australia. I plan to get an Australian passport at some point but was hoping to avoid the cost for now if I can. Can anyone help with this?
many thanks!

 

[Hvr]

Not sure of the law but I believe if you are an Australian citizen you are required to enter and leave Australia on your Australian passport.

Don't know what status shows in your current passports (i.e. permanent resident) but it might be void once you take the pledge.

 

[TimB]

Not sure of the law but I believe if you are an Australian citizen you are required to enter and leave Australia on your Australian passport.

My brother-in-law travels on a NZ passport, but is also an Australian citizen. On a number of occasions, he's been given a hard time when entering Australia on his NZ passport. As a result he wrote to the Department of Immigration (or whatever it's currently called), and now carries with him their reply saying that he is perfectly entitled to enter Australia on his NZ passport.

So, while they may prefer you to enter on an Australian passport, it's not a requirement.

 

[Dave Noble]

You will need to get an Australian Passport. When you become a citizen your Permanent Residence visa is cancelled and your UK passport will be invalid for entry to Australia

http://www.immi.gov.au/managing-australias-borders/border-security/travel/documents/

Australians who hold dual or multiple nationalities should hold an Australian passport and use it to enter or leave Australia, even when using a foreign passport overseas. The only exception is where they have been issued with an Australian Declaratory Visa.

The Australian Declaratory Visa (ADV) is an administrative document that resembles a visa. It is issued in limited circumstances to Australian citizens who hold dual nationality only if the applicant:

•is a dual national under the age of 18
or
•has an emergency or other situation preventing travel on an Australian passport.
The Australian Declaratory Visa is valid for five years from the date of issue, unless the holder ceases to be an Australian citizen, in which case the holder will need a normal visa to travel to Australia.

Dave

 

[simongr]

Your main issue wont be money - it will be time. I would suggest getting onto this in advance of your ceremony. Book the appointment with the post office well in advance - get your paperwork together and research your ability to accelerate the process.

 

[estate]

You can pay extra for a fast-tracked passport process, but I paid the standard amout and received mine in under two weeks.

 

[Dave Noble]

one month is ample time. Just pay the extra for priority processing and it will be done in 2 days

Dave

 

[TimB]

Despite what the website that Dave Noble linked to and quoted from says, I believe that the situation is different for those entering Australia on an NZ passport. New Zealanders do not require a visa to enter Australia (or rather, are automatically granted one) and may live and work here freely. As I said earlier, this is the experience of my brother-in-law -- he is able to enter Australia on his NZ passport, despite being an Australian citizen.

If you're trying to avoid the cost of an Australian passport right now, you'll presumably also want to avoid paying the extra $78 for priority processing; so I think it'll be worth your while investigating whether the ability to enter on your NZ passport applies in your situation.

However when it comes to serious matters such as entering or re-entering a country, I think you should trust the advice you get on the internet only so much. If I were you, I would ask Immigration directly what you will be able to do -- get it in writing if possible, just in case you do have trouble when returning.

 

[chrizzz14]

Both my grandparents hold NZ and EU visa's. But live and work in Australia (They're australian citizens).
They leave AUS on their NZ passport, enter EU on their EU passport and return to AUS on their NZ passport.
They have at times been asked why they dont have AUS passports - usually interrogated - which is the highlight of my grandfathers day - hes a retired QC, but they're are within their rights to do so!

 

[SeaWolf]

How does immigration even know that they have Australian citizenship if they present a NZ passport? Do they have a record against the NZ passport saying the holder is also an Australia citizen? Or is it being asked somewhere by immigration?

I would have thought that if I got an eVisitor on my EU passport and used that passport to enter Australia then Immigration would have no idea I was also an Australian citizen unless I told them.

 

[Dave Noble]

How does immigration even know that they have Australian citizenship if they present a NZ passport? Do they have a record against the NZ passport saying the holder is also an Australia citizen? Or is it being asked somewhere by immigration?

I would have thought that if I got an eVisitor on my EU passport and used that passport to enter Australia then Immigration would have no idea I was also an Australian citizen unless I told them.

All your entries and exits to Australia are recorded and are used as the basis for determining whether you have reached the requirement for time in Australia for citizenship and will show which passport and visa type you used for each entry.

To me, the immi site is pretty clear on the matter and personally I wouldn't try going without an Australian passport unless either (a) have a specifc official document indicating that there is an exemption or (b) am happy to be declined exit from Australia by immigration if problems occur

Dave

 

[SeaWolf]

All your entries and exits to Australia are recorded and are used as the basis for determining whether you have reached the requirement for time in Australia for citizenship and will show which passport and visa type you used for each entry.

Hmm, creepy. I'll have to remember to ask for one of those privacy info pamphlets next time I'm passing through.