Citizenship - Online Application & Identity Declaration

[TakeItOnTheChin]

Hi All,

 

Our time has arrived to apply for citizenship - we will be eligible in 3 weeks time to be exact. I have been made aware that we need an identity declaration completed by a qualifying Australian citizen. Can I get this sorted  and prepared beforehand. I am confused whether the document I need to download for this is embedded in the online application form that I cannot yet access (because only eligible in 3 weeks) or is this form 1195 that I can download now, get completed and added to the online application when the time comes. Many thanks for any info on this

Edited April 6, 2021 by TakeItOnTheChin

[TeeTMI]

 

Form 1195 can be downloaded from the Dept of Home Affairs website.

[TakeItOnTheChin]

1 hour ago, TeeTMI said:

 

Form 1195 can be downloaded from the Dept of Home Affairs website.

Many thanks TeeTMI, got this done last night

[CyberJoe]

@TakeItOnTheChin have you applied to keep your South African citizenship? We sent the forms through three months before we applied for Aus citizenship and to this day have not heard anything back. So in total its been about 9 months for SA 'permission'.

[TakeItOnTheChin]

11 minutes ago, CyberJoe said:

@TakeItOnTheChin have you applied to keep your South African citizenship? We sent the forms through three months before we applied for Aus citizenship and to this day have not heard anything back. So in total its been about 9 months for SA 'permission'.

I sent the application to retain RSA citizenship in February 2021 which will be about 2 months before our imminent Australian Citizenship application. My understanding is that it must be confirmed before taking the pledge in Oz so I assume we will be safe, with the Oz timeline being approx 1 year? Maybe things a bit slooooow back home. I am not worried, the 2 are not co-ordinated between governments. Good luck with your application

 

[CyberJoe]

Same to you, it really feels like the whole visa application timeline again. And I hate waiting so its a bit painful but I'm sure its that way for everyone.

 

We've kind of went with the notion that if SA says no..... we'll not cry a river over it 😄

[MargotOrch]

On 4/8/2021 at 8:09 PM, CyberJoe said:

@TakeItOnTheChin have you applied to keep your South African citizenship? We sent the forms through three months before we applied for Aus citizenship and to this day have not heard anything back. So in total its been about 9 months for SA 'permission'.

How does one go about applying to keep your SA citizenship? Do you need to have your 'yes' or 'no' before you apply for Aus citizenship? 

[ChrisH]

On 10/9/2021 at 9:46 AM, MargotOrch said:

How does one go about applying to keep your SA citizenship? Do you need to have your 'yes' or 'no' before you apply for Aus citizenship? 

 

All the info can be found here: https://www.sahc.org.au/citizenship/Dual_Citizenship.htm

 

Unfortunately you'll have to wait for this letter from SAHC in Canberra before you can apply for Aussie citizenship.  We didn't bother because I couldn't be bothered with dealing with any ZA entity ever again.

[TakeItOnTheChin]

I applied for dual citizenship in Feb, have heard nothing yet. I did not wait for that and applied for Oz citizenship in April, and got the test and approval in June. Now awaiting ceremony. I am in the Gold Coast, did the test in Brisbane. I would not wait for approval from RSA for approval on dual citizenship before applying for Oz citizenship, that would just take too long. Do it concurrently, RSA would have no clue anyway

[CyberJoe]

Still no reply from SA and we're scheduled for our Aus citizenship ceremony to take place on the 1st of November. Guess that ship has sailed but we're ok with it.

[TakeItOnTheChin]

18 minutes ago, CyberJoe said:

Still no reply from SA and we're scheduled for our Aus citizenship ceremony to take place on the 1st of November. Guess that ship has sailed but we're ok with it.

I would not worry, RSA would not know when or if you have applied for OZ citizenship. When did you apply for retention? I applied 8 months ago, still no response........haha

[CyberJoe]

Just sometimes... things work out. Our retention letters have arrived at the embassy and our ceremonies are in two / three weeks time ☺️ All the best @TakeItOnTheChin, hope your arrives shortly!

[TakeItOnTheChin]

Congrats,

 

So that means you waited around 15 months? Things look a bit slim for me then

 

[ChrisH]

1 hour ago, TakeItOnTheChin said:

Congrats,

 

So that means you waited around 15 months? Things look a bit slim for me then

 

 

Ceremony dates are determined by your local council so it actually varies greatly between councils.  Hopefully yours won't take 15 months.

[TakeItOnTheChin]

1 hour ago, ChrisH said:

 

Ceremony dates are determined by your local council so it actually varies greatly between councils.  Hopefully yours won't take 15 months.

Sorry mate I was talking about the time it takes to get RSA citizenship retention. We got approval for Oz citizenship end of June so I expect that Australia Day might be our ceremony date