More than 14,000 new citizens can now finally call Australia home after immigration paved their way to a new life in the world's friendliest country.

These people would join over 4 million others who had become Australian citizens when Australian Citizenship was introduced in 1949, Senator Chris Evans, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship announced.

Immigrants from 114 countries became proud Australian citizens at 321 Australia Day events all around the nation. 14,000 is a record number of people to become Australian citizens on Australian Day, which was celebrated on the 26th of January this year.

On the previous Australia Day, 12,500 immigrants from 111 countries became Australian citizens, with a record of 169,123 people taking the pledge during the 2006-07 financial year.

Immigration Minister Evans said that making the citizenship pledge was an important step in marking the beginning of life as an Australian citizen: "Becoming an Australian citizen shows commitment and loyalty to this country and a desire to share in our common future."

This year’s Australia Day citizenship ceremonies ranged from small events in remote areas for single conferees to one of the nation’s largest ever citizenship ceremonies to be held in Immigration Minister Evans's home state of Western Australia.

"I look forward to welcoming more than 1300 new Australian citizens at this ceremony in the northern suburbs of Perth," he commented.

The Immigration Minister added that Australia had been enriched by the cultures and traditions of the people from more than 200 countries who had come to Australia, and he believes that the common bond that unites us all is citizenship.

Australia's first citizenship ceremony took place in February 1949 at Albert Hall in Canberra, where 7 conferees represented the 6 states and the Australian Capital Territory.

The path to Australian citizenship starts with immigration, and we provide assistance in various steps of this process. If you would like to find for which visa you qualify, just complete our free online visa eligibility assessment form, which will deliver instant results.

Visa for Australia and Australia Visa Application made easy! Australian Working Visa made possible to easily have one! Visit Australia Immigration at http://www.nationalvisas.com.au

---
http://www.nationalvisas.com.au
http://australiaimmigration.blogspot.com