Renunciation of Citizenship
Renouncing Australian Citizenship
An Australian citizen who holds, or will immediately acquire, the citizenship of another country may apply to renounce their Australian citizenship. Renunciation will not be approved if it would render the applicant stateless. The consequences of renunciation are serious and largely irreversible. Legal advice should be obtained before any application is made.
Renunciation — who it applies to and why
Some countries, including Japan, Singapore, and China, do not permit dual citizenship. A person who holds Australian citizenship alongside the citizenship of one of these countries may be required by that country's laws to renounce their Australian citizenship in order to acquire or retain citizenship of the other country.
Renunciation may also be sought where a person has been ordinarily resident in a foreign country for an extended period and no longer has a meaningful connection to Australia, or where renunciation is required by the laws of their country of ordinary residence as a condition of holding a particular role or status.
The application is made using Form 128, Application for Renunciation of Australian Citizenship. Citizenship ceases on the date the application is approved, not on the date of application. The Minister retains a general discretion to refuse registration of a renunciation declaration if it is considered not to be in the interests of Australia.
Eligibility and consequences
Must hold or be acquiring another citizenship
Renunciation will not be approved unless the applicant already holds, or will immediately acquire upon approval, the citizenship of another country. Australia will not approve renunciation that would render a person stateless.
Citizenship ceases on approval date
Australian citizenship ceases on the date the renunciation application is approved, not on the date of lodgement. From that date, the person is no longer an Australian citizen and has no right to an Australian passport.
Visa required to remain in Australia
If the person is in Australia at the time renunciation is approved, they immediately require a visa to remain lawfully in Australia. Failing to have appropriate visa arrangements in place before renunciation takes effect can result in unlawful status.
Resumption of citizenship is possible but not guaranteed
A person who has renounced Australian citizenship may apply to resume it, but resumption is not automatic and requires a separate application. The person must have been lawfully present in Australia for a period determined by the Minister.
Children may be affected
Where a responsible parent's Australian citizenship ceases through renunciation, consideration may be given to revoking the citizenship of children under 18, unless the other responsible parent is still an Australian citizen or revocation would cause statelessness.
Form 128
Renunciation application form
On approval
Citizenship ceases on approval date
No stateless
Will not be approved if statelessness results
Visa needed
Required immediately if in Australia
Why instruct Visa Plan?
Consequences assessment before lodgement
Renunciation is largely irreversible. We advise on the full consequences, including visa status in Australia, children's citizenship, and the implications for future return to Australia, before any application is prepared.
Visa arrangements for those in Australia
If you are in Australia when renunciation is approved, you will immediately need a valid visa. We advise on the appropriate visa to apply for and manage the application so there is no gap in your lawful status.
Coordination with foreign citizenship acquisition
Where renunciation is required as a condition of acquiring another citizenship, timing is critical. We coordinate the renunciation process with the foreign citizenship acquisition to avoid any period of uncertainty or risk of statelessness.
Renunciation of citizenship information is sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 and is current as at 13 May 2026. Renunciation eligibility, consequences, and processes are subject to change. This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal advice should be obtained before lodging a renunciation application.