Advice for new visa applicants! Don't wait before you apply.
I'm currently waiting for my permanent visa application to be processed, and have been surprised how long the process takes. I sent my application in January 06 and was assigned a case officer in September.
Being diligent, I spent several months collating all the information requested for the visa application before sending everything off in one go. This included the medical and x-ray, skills assessment, police checks for 3 countries and official translations of a number of documents (I've lived in 3 countries over the last 10 years, and am married to a Spaniard).
However, I think I would have been far better off sending the minimum documentation just to "get the ball rolling", and then submit additional documentation while I was waiting. I don't think that any significant processing happens to an application until a case officer is assigned, and I could have saved 4-6 months by not waiting.
