PR visa Processing Times

[Erna Reynaers]

For the info of the forum, I applied on 8 July 2008 and recently received my case officer on 3 April 2009.

VERY HAPPY ... I had stopped thinking about it, and then the news came.

I applied for General skilled visa, and was on the MODL under the accountant category.

Hi Gail,

Have you sent your medicals and police clearances yet? Have you had another response from them? How long after the medicals and police clearances did you hearfrom them again?

Thanks

Erna

[mbs2oz]

Our timeline;

We ariived in Aus on 457 Jan 2009

Submitted online for 175 PR on 21/01. I'm on the current Critical Sklills List. All docs were attached save for character and medicals (including IELTS, SAPS etc)

Nothing

Nothing

Nothing

Case officer 17/08/09

Letter via email 23/08/09 with request to submit character ref (form 80) and do medicals within 28days.

Did meds etc and submitted (uploaded to immi and email)

Letter via email 4/09/09 visas are 'pre-granted' we have to supply itinerary to exit Aus to have visa 'granted' by mission abroad (outside Aus) within 28 days. All online applcations are deemed off shore so you have to exit Aus again.

Going to Bali in Nov to have it activated.

Trust this answers some questions....

(duplicate post as perhaps more approprate thread)

[Michele R]

Just figured I'll post the latest response from DIAC for those who are waiting:

Priority Processing - Change From 1 January 2009

Following recent announcements by the Minister for Immigration and

Citizenship, in response to the current global economic environment,

processing of General Skilled Migration applications gives first priority

to applications in the following two categories:

1. Applications with a successful State or Territory Nomination; and

2. Applications where the nominated occupation is identified on the

Critical Skills List (CSL).

Note: Due to the number of applications in the above two categories, on

hand and being received, applications not on the CSL, or applications

without a successful State or Territory nomination, will be delayed until

those applications which meet the processing priorities are finalised. This

includes those on the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL)

Priority Application Processing Information

As a result of the priority processing direction expalined above only

applications from the following priority groups will be allocated to case

officers.

1. State or Territory Nominated Applications - These applications have

the highest priority for allocation once the department has received and

approved a nomination from a State or Territory authority.

2. Applications with a nominated occupation on the Critical Skills List

(CSL) - these applications are allocated and processed after the State and

Territory Nominated applications.

Priority Processing Exemptions

Visa Subclasses 485, 476, 487 and 887 are exempt from the priority

processing changes. Applications under these subclasses will continue to

be processed in the order in which they were received by the Department –

the following subclass by application lodgment date identifies cases

currently being considered:

Visa Subclass Month/Year Lodgment

VC 485 (paper): 13 March 2009

VC 485 (e-lodged): 29 February 2008 (Please note - E-lodged

applications lodged after 29 February 2008 will be processed in Brisbane)

VF 476 (paper): 25 September 2008

VF 476 (e-lodged): 25 September 2008

VC 487 (paper): 10 April 2009

VB 887 (paper): 7 July 2009

Just FYI if anyone were wondering

[Kirsy]

Thanks Michele

Still doom and gloom for us 176 FS visa's.

[Michele R]

Hang in there Kirsty...hopefully things will change with the economy bouncing back. Holding thumbs!

[IT_Friend]

Hi,

I have applied under visa class VE 175 (skilled independent).

Now is the time for me to submit medical and police clearance documents.

Earlier I was told that validity of the visa is 12 months from the "date of grant".

But now I am told that validity of the visa is calculated from the first date of any of the documents (medical or pcc).

Example : if the first doc I receive for police clearance is 1st Oct and medical is 12th Oct, I will have to enter AU within 12 months from 1st Oct.

Is this is correct ?

What is the current rule ? Could anyone please explain.

Many Thanks,

Regards,

Abhay

Hi Colton

Are you on MODL, or qualify in terms of any of the other "priority" classes (see above)? If not then I don't see how they can make that claim - the service standard for processing times for non priority applications from SA (non ETA country) is 15 to 18 months.

All non priority applications are processed in terms of "first come first served" and I wouldn't think that anyone would be allowed to "call in a favour" on that side.

Medicals and police clearance - the validity period is 12 and six months respectively.

C'Lou

[georgie 1]

Abhay, You make reference to a post made in 2006. That info is outdated.

Please read the immi website for the latest regarding 175 Skilled Independent Visas before you get your PC's or go for meds.

You are correct about date of entry to validate your visa ... a year from whichever was done first.(PC or Meds)

BTW when did you apply?

Edited October 13, 2009 by georgie 1

[ottg]

Immigration Minister responds to backlog concerns

Fundamental changes to Australia's skilled migration program have gone almost un-noticed.

The changes affect tens of thousands of people, many of whom are distressed and angry. Having shelled out thousands of dollars in costs and fees to apply to migrate to Australia, they've now been told that it will be years before their applications are even looked at.

Applicants within Australia must wait until at the least the end of 2011 before their cases are processed; migrants applying from overseas must wait until at least the end of 2012.

As we reported two weeks ago on The National Interest, their cases are on indefinite hold because of new priority processing arrangements put in place by Immigration Minister Senator Chris Evans.

Listen to the podcast here as on ABC radio 13 Nov 2009 Immigration Changes and delay in processing

[MarcK]

He skirted answering the questions and failed to provide any clarity on the visa processing changes. And Aus has too many hairdressers? Or is that hairdryers???

Apparently the same man thought a stenographer is a type of medical person!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[IslandStyle]

Thanks for the post ottg, was about to post it. What a brilliant interview. Can't believe he is not remotely even considering extending at least some sort of apology on behalf of the Dept.

Just loved the interviewer's approach. But it is quite clear to me - don't bother applying if you're not a priority application, or wait forever.

Also have a look at Senator Evans discusses Australia visa processing delays on national radio [visabureau.com].

You say:

"Applying to migrate to Australia doesn't give you the right to migrate to Australia."

"It's not a delay in processing, it's a prioritising."

I say:

"Whatever. I've wasted enough time and money, not because I made the wrong decision, but because the game rules have changed - again, yet I am not allowed to change my gear, approach or tactics. Therefor - can I have my money back?"

[Jordy]

continued in part 2 here