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Posted by Melb08 at 00:07 on Mon, 17 December 2007

Can a recently-granted NZ citizen move to Australia straight away?

I'm a UK citizen and have been living in NZ for 17 years as a permanent resident. I've only just applied for and been granted NZ citizenship this year. Now I'm considering moving to Australia as most of my family is over there and are Australian citizens, including my parents and daughter. Are there any NZ citizenship obligations or requirements that would prevent me from doing this as soon as I recieve my NZ passport? (It wasn't planned this way, honest!) I'm just exploring the option at this stage. Thanks

 
#1 response from melbourne_maven at 10:32 on Fri, 18 January 2008

From what we've researched, you can move as easily as any other NZ citizen. Your NZ passport is your ticket to the special category visa that allows you to work and live in Australia indefinitely. Some might say 17 years is long enough to have earned it!

#2 response from George at 23:09 on Thu, 6 August 2009

A friend of a friend planned that as soon as he got his NZ passport he was gone.
He had all his passport papers pre-filled in and as soon as he got his certificate he applied the next day. A week after he got his passport he left. No worries. There is no stipulation about how long you have been a NZ citizen before you can enter Oz.

#3 response from MR GUN at 00:02 on Tue, 12 October 2010

WOW, thats a load off my chest.

I am in EXACTLY the same position as him but I came from the UK 23 years ago.

Why did our parents not get us a duel citizenship!!??

I am so happy i will not have to be in NZ too much longer. It great that I will be able to come home though. NZ is my home. It just sucks.

Wow I love this site!

#4 response from doodlebug at 04:31 on Thu, 23 June 2011

We are UK citizens and moved to NZ from the UK 4.5yrs ago and are NZ permanent residents. DO we need to obtain NZ citizenship in order to be allowed to freely enter and live/work in Australia?

#5 response from griselda at 17:48 on Wed, 31 August 2011

Hi there,
Well it involves applying for permanent residency visas for your family, which is a reasonably involved process and not nearly as easy as it used to be - especially if you aren't on the skills list (and can be expensive too). It will depend on your situation as to what visa you'll need to get. You will most likely need to start with looking at the skilled migrant visa, as this is the most common PR visa for Australia. The Australian Immigration site is the best place to start, to find out what visas you might be eligible for: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/

#6 response from Claudia at 13:36 on Thu, 10 November 2011

In response to: #4 response from doodlebug at 04:31 on Thu, 23 June 2011

I am in the same boat. I have NZ residency and am from Scotland. Can I move to Australia easier than if I wasn't? I am a teacher and have looked in to the Skilled Migration Visa but I am not sure if by being a resident I need to pay the same fees?

If anyone can help that's be great!

Thanks

 

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