Australian Immigration Denies Receiving And Rejecting Russell Crowe’s Citizenship Applications

Russell Crowe never applied for Australian citizenship, according to the immigration officials. The Kiwi actor claimed that he was rejected twice to become an Australian citizen, but the Department of Immigration has denied ever receiving an application from the “Gladiator” star.

The 50-year-old Hollywood star recently said he wanted to become an Australian but his applications were refused, adding laws have changed for New Zealanders like him. He explained that pursuing a career in Hollywood became a detriment to realising his Australian dreams. He had been out of the country to shoot and promote his blockbuster films from 2000 to 2002.

There might be another reason why his applications were not approved: Perhaps it’s because the Immigration has no record of them. The department told Fairfax that it has no record of the said applications or even the rejections as Crowe claimed.

“According to Departmental records, Mr Crowe has not submitted an application visa or for Australian citizenship,” the department said. “Should Mr Crowe apply for and be granted a permanent visa, there are a variety of options that he may use to meet the eligibility requirements, including the residence requirements.”

This isn’t the first time Crowe has claimed he was rejected. He told News Limited in an old interview that he applied in 2006 and 2013.

“As a young kid, I stood on the hustings at Watson’s Bay and gave out pamphlets on how to vote for Gough Whitlam at the polling booth,” he lamented. “I got a (Centenary of) Federation medal (in 2003). I was made into a stamp. Until recently I had an Australian wife. I have two Australian children. But I still fall between the cracks.”

Crowe, who was born in Wellington, moved to Sydney with his family when he was just 4 years old. They moved back to New Zealand when he was 14, but he returned to Australia a few years later. He identifies himself as an Australian, but the most important reason why he wanted an Aussie passport is because of his sons Charles and Tennyson. “If something goes down overseas we have to go to two embassies,” told News Limited.