"Australian naturalization hit a 15-year high last year, and the increase in applications has led to the majority of naturalization applications taking up to two years to process," he said. Many people feel that naturalization is not as easy as staying in Australia after getting the PR and then submitting the application process step by step, according to the speed of the current Home Office process.
According to SBS, Australian naturalization cases began to increase significantly since July 2018, but at the same time, there was a backlog of two hundred thousand outstanding cases and a longer waiting period.
"nearly 237000 immigrants are still waiting to pledge allegiance to Australia and the waiting time is now extended to 20 to 25 months."
Applications are overstocked, processing is slow, and naturalists are anxiously waiting to figure out when they will be approved.
Many Chinese have lived in Australia for ten or two years, and they have neither naturalized nor chosen returnees. Now, in the face of such a long waiting process for naturalization, these Chinese have also spoken one after another. What is wrong with PR and it is convenient to return home? Why naturalize?
Today, let`s look at whether naturalization of Australia is better than harm, or is it more harm than good?
For overseas immigrants, they have been permanently resident in Australia for a cumulative period of two years over the past five years. Among them, they are eligible to apply for Australian citizenship if they have resided in Australia for a cumulative period of 12 months in the first two years prior to their admission to Australia.
So, after all, what more benefits do Australian citizens have than PR?
First of all, as one of the world`s most powerful passports, Australian passports have visa-free treatment for 183 countries, including nearly 50 countries in Europe, including France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
And even the United States, which is the most difficult to obtain visas, has specially designed a special visa for Australian citizens, called Ex3. As long as they are Australian citizens who meet the requirements, they can not only get a US visa in a month, but can also renew it indefinitely.
It is worth noting that after naturalization, Australian citizens have also been granted permanent residence status in New Zealand. As long as the entry and exit requirements are met, Australian passport holders can at any time obtain a residence visa upon arrival in New Zealand. Can be said to be "buy one get one free".
At the same time, Australian citizens go to New Zealand to study in the same way as local students.
Second, in addition to the powerful visa-free benefits, holding an Australian passport also has a huge advantage in terms of medical benefits.
Australia`s Medicare card is the world`s best health card to enjoy basic free medical benefits.
At the same time, because Australia and 11 other countries have signed medical reciprocity agreements, including Belgium, Finland, Italy and so on, Australian citizens can see a doctor in these 11 countries and regions free of charge and enjoy the same treatment as Australia.
In addition, Australia and 30 other countries have also signed reciprocal social welfare agreements.
This also means that Australian citizens can retire in these 30 countries, including the United States, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, the highly developed countries, not only enjoy the different exotic feelings, but also can always receive Australian pension.
After naturalization, Australian citizens also began to enjoy political rights, as compulsory elections in Australia, after obtaining an Australian passport, the right to vote and to stand for election.
You can also apply for government jobs that must be Australian citizens, such as Department of Defense, Border Department, etc.
In terms of education, the benefits of getting an Australian passport are certainly more favourable than those of the PR. Although the tuition fees of the PR are already much lower than those of overseas students, Australian citizens can still apply for tuition loans. And you can wait until you have a job income before you start paying back.
At the same time, after naturalization, Australian citizens can register their overseas-born children as Australian citizens, who enjoy the same rights as Australian-born citizens.
The most important thing many people want to naturalize is that when you become an Australian citizen, you don`t have to sit in prison for two more years in five years.
If you are only an Australian permanent resident, not an Australian citizen, you will have to apply for a resident`s return visa (RRV), after five years to retain your PR status, which is a bit of a hassle.
With so many Australian passport benefits, why have so many Chinese lived in Australia for more than a decade or two without naturalization? Many people think that the most important point is that after naturalization, it is too troublesome to return home.
Here AMACS has picked up the discussion about naturalization of some netizens on SBS.
After naturalization, christine_yc927: feels that it is more difficult to return to China than before. To sign a certificate, I have to prepare more than n documents and invitations. In fact, I still love China. I still want to go back and take a walk when I have time. Maybe it is because I have already become a naturalized foreign country. The country doesn`t love me anymore.
@ doubleseven: no change. Swimming around the world is far from comparable to the kind of sense of security that wants to go home and walk away at once. Australia to China 10-year tourism visa, permanent residence visa only five years. Chinese passports are becoming more and more useful.
@ AbbyLxd: dual nationality is not a luxury, it is true to have a ten-year visa.
@ one-shot enmity _: eight or nine years after you came to Australia, you still use pr. It`s better to be a real Chinese than to be a second-class citizen with an Australian passport. Even if you hold an Australian passport, white Australians don`t think you`re one of them.
Many people admit that Australian passports are very convenient to go to any country, but the sad thing is, there is no time at all!
Usually all have to work, public holiday tickets also crazy price increase, travel is not as good as returning home, but also need to return to the country visa.
Another drawback of naturalization is that China does not recognize dual nationality, not only does it need to apply for visas every time it returns home, it takes time and effort, and domestic hukou, identity cards, bank cards, and so on, are all cancelled. It is very troublesome for those who have invested in the country.
In the face of a variety of doubts, some netizens put forward suggestions, do not intend to return to China for a long time, naturalization or naturalization is good.
Of course, everyone has a choice, not to join Australia because there is no such need for the time being, and some people to give up nationality is not patriotic, this view is also incorrect.
Once again, I intercepted a very good netizen comment to everyone:
@ I want to leave: you can love this country without naturalization. Naturalization doesn`t mean you can integrate into the mainstream of Australia. It is difficult to measure integration and love for Australia without naturalization.
Before naturalization, be sure to understand that no matter how many countries have visa-free Australian passports, the most important place in your life is China. Therefore as soon as possible open China and Australia long-term visa or visa-free is the best solution.
In short, regardless of which country`s passport we will always be a part of the Chinese nation, everyone has a different situation, after weighing their own advantages and disadvantages, I believe that there will be a better choice for naturalization.
