lachicalatinabex

You can have as many tourist visas as you like as long as you leave the country each time. The only thing that will stop you getting a WHV is if you have had a WHV before. Tourist visas wont matter.

Sorry for the very late response. I don't know why they did it. My agent didn't even know until he tried to follow it up. I imagine just workload.

Hi Guys, I finally received my visa grant notification this afternoon. I'm so relieved. I originally applied DRC (low risk) to Parramatta but my case got transferred to Perth in October/November time. I had no contact with my CO, CO was allocated and visa and nom all granted today. I am an animal attendant/trainer on a cattle property in CQ. This was an exceptional circumstances case with experience rather than qualifications. Here is my timeline: Visa lodged 26 June 2012 DRC Application acknowledged 3 July 2012 CO assigned/Visa granted 10 January 2013. That's a 6.5 month wait but no questions asked, no phone calls, no visits etc. Good luck to everyone else, hopefully thing will all start to move along smoothly in the new year! :biggrin:

If you're non DRC I'd say you still have a big wait ahead of you but it's hard to tell. I applied DRC to Parramatta on 26th June and just found out my application has been forwarded to Perth. Who knows how much longer?

26th June DRC Parramatta Acknowledgement letter 3rd July As of 21st November still no CO Low risk but with exceptional circumstances

Although that would make no sense (and would be completely unfair), it would explain why my agent has other cases lodged after mine that have already been approved. I received an email from wa.pse yesterday (even though I applied through nsw.pse) saying that my case has not yet been allocated a CO and is unlikely to be finalised before December. Seems there is no real advantage to being DRC at the moment, especially with Perth and Parramatta.

If this was possible I think all our employers would be doing the same thing. The reason we applied DRC was to get a quick decision so I don't think this will work.

Congrats mate. It's good to see Perth is finally moving forward. Just need to hear some news from Parramatta.

Good job - so jealous. Was gonna ask how you went. Hopefully my turn soon.

Apparently the RCB is a private, legal document between your employer and the Certifying Body and therefore they wont disclose any information to you anyway. If you are unsure ask your employer to show you or follow it up. RCB's only speak to employers.

No one really knows what's going on. A lot of us seem to be in the same situation, lodged DRC late June and heard nothing since. Basically a CO is the last person along the line that actually makes the decision on your case. If you have a CO then I'd just sit back and be patient. If you really are DRC it wont be long because they have everything they need to make a decision. You're doing better than most people who haven't even got that far. Good luck, I'm sure you'll hear soon.

How frustrating! If that's the case I might as well get that BVB. Grrr. Let us know what he says. My agent said he think I'm up soon because some of his other DRC clients from this area who applied around the same time or after me have started being approved. I'm not convinced though. Kinda just given up hope on that phone call arriving this year

Oh right, thanks. Well it's not worth risking it. I know what you mean about it not making much difference. A friend applied non DRC about 5 weeks before me and he already has his 857. I can't see me getting mine before xmas. Oh well.

Hi Blossom, did you apply DRC? Just wondering because I know you managed to get a BVB. My agent has told me if I leave the country I am no longer DRC but go into the pipeline. What was your experience?

Hi Karan I didn't apply at the same time as my friend I applied a bit after him, but I applied DRC and he didn't. If you are already on a BVB then you can only apply offshore, the problem I have is that I was on a WHV then it changed to BVA. This is why I applied onshore and why I have the issue with leaving the country. Your CO will tell you when to leave the country but it will only be once you have a pre-grant letter. They then give you 28 days to leave so they can grant the visa. Because I am DRC I am expected to be in the country so they can make a decision quickly. (Ironic hey considering I've been waiting almost 5 months on a DRC application).

I spoke to my agent yesterday, he said as I am DRC if I get a BVB and leave the country I go into the pipeline and am no longer DRC. Anyone else have experience of this? He also said he expects I will have a decision in the next four weeks as he is starting to get several confirmations from the end of June, some people on 29th which is 3 days after me. I spoke to immi yesterday though and no mention of a CO being allocated. I also have a friend who applied in May non-DRC who got his PR yesterday. I am thinking that Parramatta must be coming towards the end of it's DRC applications for pre-July as they have made such a big jump to May pipeline cases. My friend was shocked as he was expecting to wait until at least January for a decision.

857 is an onshore visa, therefore I have to be onshore for a decision to be made. I'm just thinking it will be my luck that I wait 6 months for a decision on a DRC and then they want to make that decision in the days after I leave and I have to cut my trip short. Having worked in the travel industry I know that it will be next to impossible to change my dates to come back earlier at the busiest time of year...at least not without costing a small fortune.

Hi Blossom, I'm wondering if you or someone else might know the answer to this question. I need to apply for a BVB to travel in December, obviously I never thought this was going to happen as I thought I would have a decision by now being DRC (26th June) and everything. I spoke to immi the other day and the man was quite rude...and my agent hasn't been much help either. Immi told me they would only grant a BVB within 7-10days of wanting to travel, but I heard before that you must apply at least 14 days in advance. What was your situation? Also I'm intending to go for 6 weeks but as I understand it, if they are ready to make a decision I will have to return within 28 days. Is this right do you know? Also I am wondering, if a decision is made in the days before I travel and for whatever reason it is refused, would I be able to lodge an appeal for an onshore application whilst overseas? I've been really patient until now, but 2.5 years is a long time to not see my family and I have been looking forward to this trip for so long. Now I'm thinking I might not be able to go at all. Any experience you have on this would be appreciated. Thanks

I agree with Blossom, on the forms you have to declare if you have ever been diagnosed with or treated for depression. I imagine this would be a negative against your application so I think stress would have a similar outcome. I know it's stressful but we're all in the same position. Your best to just get on with life the best you can. I am no longer 'expecting' to get a phone call. I know it will come when it comes. I feel a lot more relaxed about it now. There is nothing I can do so no point stressing myself out over it. Hopefully your time will come soon.

No offence but judging by the fact Agent DRC cases lodged in June have been waiting 4 months already, I'd say you'll be extremely lucky to have a CO by January. Only thing that may go in your favour is that you applied under the new system. My friends have been told minimum 9-12 months for CO with the new system. Perth is still at January 2012 (I think) so that's a 10 month wait for pipeline cases before the June rush. As long as your employer is ok with you taking the time off I'd say you'll be fine. You only have to start work with them within six months of the visa being accepted so three months wont be a problem. Good luck.

I was just asking why apply for an offshore visa when onshore. Surely an 857 would have made more sense for the whole reason you can get a bridging visa and don't have to leave in order for visa to be granted.

Why can't you get a bridging visa? My BVA kicked in as soon as my WHV expired. Why did you apply for 119 not 857 if you were onshore?

Hi Guys, I spoke to immi yesterday and the guy was really helpful. He explained something to me that I know some people have been confused about. He told me that my file is open and being passed along but has not yet been assigned a case officer. Apparently it is passed through several people before it is finally assigned to a CO. I guess this is to check it is actually DRC, check HR/LR, exceptional circumstances etc. Anyway he said DRC applications can take up to 5 months at the moment, which means technically all DRC's should be finalised within next 5-6 weeks. I am on a BVA and was concerned about getting a BVB to travel at Christmas. He didn't seem to think this would be an issue either which has relaxed me little. At least I know I'm not going to get an answer in the immediate future, but I know my file hasn't been lost either Good luck everyone.

I applied for my 857 DRC with Paramatta on 26 June. Today is 16 weeks and still no news. I don't understand why people who applied at the same office on 28/29 June have already been processed. The only thing I can think of is because I have applied for exceptional circumstance with work experience instead of qualifications. However, even if this was taking longer to process I'd need a case officer to determine this. Been very patient until now but starting to get a bit frustrated. No reply from MA either.

Where did you apply? I applied on 26th June at Paramatta and haven't heard anything yet.