Question po
Has anyone here po been granted citizenship through Ministerial Discretion?
Has anyone ever tried acquiring citizenship through exemption for not meeting the general residence requirement? So my situation is..
I migrated to Australia on a permanent resident visa January 2022. In theory I should be be able to apply for my citizenship by January 2026 granted I meet the general residence requirement.
My Australian citizen partner who works for the government will be posted abroad for a year in December 2024. He wants me to accompany him and we're looking at how this can affect my progress and application in 2026. IF I go I would not be able to satisfy not being away from Australia for no more than 12 months in total in the past 4 years, including no more than 90 days. We did some research and saw that there could be some exemptions to the general residence requirement through Ministerial Discretion?
If an applicant has spent periods outside of Australia, whilst as a spouse, or defacto partner of an Australian citizen, then they may be exempted from being counted as ‘absent’. If an applicant was a permanent resident during a period spent outside of Australia, may also be exempted from being counted as an absence. If an applicant has a ‘close and continuing association with Australia’ during the period of time outside of Australia, this may not be counted as being ‘absent’.
Having a close and continuing association with Australia, includes circumstances such as:
Having a spouse, or de facto partner that is an Australian citizen.
Having an extensive relationship with spouse, de facto partner or interdependent partner that is an Australian citizen.
Having extended family that lives in Australia.
Making multiple return visits to Australia.
Having multiple periods of residence in Australia.
Being employed within Australia, either in the public or private sector.
Owning property in Australia.
Having evidence of income tax payment in Australia.
It seems I fit this description but I just cant find anyone who's been on a similar situation where they had to be away on their last year before lodging application. I definitely will get an immigration lawyer once we get a final date on the posting but just curious if these exemptions are common and if people apply for it and still get denied.