Migrant with permanent residence

If you migrated to Australia, have permanent residence, satisfy the residential requirements and are of good character you might be eligible for citizenship.

All applicants, including children under 1​6 years of age must be permanent residents at the time of application and also at the time we make a decision on your application.

What is permanent residence?

Having permanent residence means you have a current visa that permits you to live in Australia indefinitely. There are many different type of visas that provide permanent residence for citizenship purposes. You can use the Visa Finder to find a visa of this type, or use VEVO to check the permanent residence status of your visa.

When does permanent residence start?

If you were granted a migrant visa offshore your permanent residence date is the date of your first arrival in Australia on this visa.

If you were granted a permanent residence visa onshore your permanent residence date is the date that visa was issued.

Are you a long term resident of Australia?

Being a long-term resident of Australia, or being eligible to vote or having served in the armed forces of Australia does not mean that you are an Australian citizen.

Long term residents will need to provide evidence of arrival in Australia. If you no longer have this evidence you can telephone the Citizenship Information Line for advice on how to prove your permanent residence status.

Are you a New Zealand citizen?

On arrival in Australia, most New Zealanders are automatically granted a Special Category Visa (SCV). This visa is a temporary visa which allows the holder to remain and work in Australia indefinitely but since 2001 does not provide permanent residence for citizenship purposes. See: New Zealand citizens living in Australia

Your Australian citizenship options

Migrants with permanent residence who satisfy the eligibility requirements apply for Australian citizenship by conferral. Children 15 years of age and under are usually included in the application of their responsible parent.

There are two categories of eligibility:

• Form 1300t Australian citizenship - General eligibility for applicants aged 18 years and over and under 60 years of age.

• Form 1290 Australian citizenship – Other situations for applicants aged under 18 years, applicants aged 60 years or over, or applicants in special circumstances.

Find out how to apply for Australian citizenship and apply online.

You can also apply on a paper application form.

Do you think you might already be an Australian citizen?

If you think you are an Australian citizen but are not sure, see ‘Methods of acquiring Australian citizenship’ on our current citizens page.

If you want evidence of your Australian citizenship, you can make an application for evidence of Australian citizenship. You will need to provide a range of documents with your application that assist us to confirm your citizenship status.

The Australian Border Force was established on 1 July 2015 as the new frontline operational entity within the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. The establishment of the Border Force reflects a greater focus on the border as a strategic national asset.

Border Force officers manage the security and integrity of Australia's borders. We work closely with other government and international agencies to detect and deter the unlawful movement of goods and people across the border.

Border Force officers are operationally focused, uniformed and part of a disciplined enforcement body undertaking functions across our operating domain – patrolling our air and seaports, remote locations, mail and cargo centres and Australia's extended maritime domain.

We require highly dedicated, agile and multi-skilled officers that are well trained and equipped to perform a range of duties across our airports and seaports, land and maritime jurisdictions.

​More information about applying for an entry-level role and working in the ABF, including roles, attributes and eligibility requirements for Border Force officers is available on the Working in the Australian Border Force webpages.