OVER 400 IRISH people will become Australian citizens today, on Australia Day.
Visa company VisaFirst says that 420 people will be granted citizenship today, with around 1,500 set to get Australian passports this year.
Edwina Shanahan of VisaFirst says that the number of Irish people getting citizenship in Australia has grown year on year.
“Celebrations are in store for hundreds of Irish ex pats as many who become citizens during the last 12 months have an affirmation ceremony on Australia Day.
Shanahan adds that Australia Day is traditionally a day when many Irish expats make the final step in the journey to become an Australian citizen.
Ceremonies give new citizens the opportunity to affirm their loyalty to Australia by taking the Australian Citizenship pledge.
Irish workers can enter Australia on a temporary or permanent resident visa but need to be living in Australia on a valid visa before being eligible to apply for citizenship. This must include 12 months as a permanent resident visa holder and they must not have been absent from Australia for more than one year in total in the 4 year period before applying, and no more than 90 days absent from Oz in the year before applying.
“Last year saw Ireland move from eighth to sixth position in the top 10 countries applying for Permanent Resident visa grants in Australia, behind India, China, UK, Philippines and Pakistan.”
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