XaraBB

Hi, I’m not here for argument. The DRC (Decision Ready Cases) do exists these days, as for 3 years of marriage plus kid are considered as on-going genuine relationship and can lead to direct PR visa application, if DIAC advised it so, that happened with my husband’s friend. It was in the past and still in effect though processing time was short in those days where as currently it can take up to 15 months unofficially. As I said in my few other posts, DRC were on spot onshore visas till 2012, either it was a marriage case or De Facto case, there’s no argument on it. Below are my findings for current DRC: DRC (Decision ready means that all documentation has been submitted with the application, and there is nothing outstanding, including health and police checks. If any document is missing the visa application is not regarded as decision ready at the time of application. Migration agents to indicate in a covering letter that the application is decision ready, and frontloaded with all the relevant forms, certificates, health and police checks are at the top of the application. Cases are screened for decision readiness on lodgment. DIAC also seeks to identify where cases become decision ready while queued, and where these can be identified, and then they prioritized for finalization. Applications which have not been accompanied by relevant penal and health clearances are not decision ready. If the case is not considered by DIAC to be decision ready, then DIAC request for specific additional information once the application reaches the front of the queue. Where additional information or clarification is required and the Immigration officer believes that this can be obtained by telephone or email, then they will do so. Hope this helps. Regards

Hi, I like to ask on your Decision Ready Visa. Based on my knowledge this visa is for those who are married for more than 3 years or physically living together either in OZ or outside OZ. If someone is married recently then it is a normal application. Let us know more on it. Also check with your MRA that when they submitted your application did they write “Decision Ready Visa” on cover letter etc. Agent can help in technical aspect and present the file in presentable manner but cannot help in speeding up the process, if query comes up it will be dealt by them but they do ask for the bla bla information from you. More queries from immigration means more delay in the outcome of the case, regardless of MRA being used or not. That’s my take. Regards

Hi, For your confusion please see below response: Q 38: Are you sponsoring a child aged under 18 years? If your answer is NO then go to Q 42. You are not required to fill Q 40 to Q 41 Q 42: Are you an eligible New Zealand citizen? If you are NOT eligible New Zealand citizen then you are not required to fill Q 43 to Q 44. Questions which are not applied on individual cases should not be filled. That’s my take. Hope this helps.

Hi, To answer your question, these are two different things. First, I applied when AHC brought AVAC, and at the same time of lodgement, Biometrics was carried out. Second, my partner sent me his documents. AVAC folks do not entertain any applicants, if the compulsory document as per the AHC and AVAC checklist is missing. Applicants have to reschedule their appointment. Sponsor forms and supporting documents are part of AVAC checklist. Before lodging my application, I called AVAC and asked on missing documents. In the past sponsor used to send their documents to AHC directly but not anymore due to AVAC. I'm not sure on MRA sending documents from OZ to AHC.

Hi All, If you guys have checked AHC Islamabad website, they have advertised Visa processing officers vacancy (s). If this is in addition to the existing COS then it is good news that our processing would take less time and if it is filling in position that means processing would stay more or less the same. What time brings, we will see. Hoping and praying that whatever the case may be, it works in our favor. Insha Allah. Regards

Many Congratulations Star1.

Dear All, My husband in OZ called Immig dept and asked questions on Sponsored Family visit visa. I have gathered his first hand knowledge and sharing with you guys. Please see below: Is sponsored visit visa impact on partner offshore visa processing? No, these are two separate visa streams, doesn’t impact on processing of partner offshore visa. How long it takes to get the sponsored visit visa? 6-8 Weeks What bond amount is required? This is decided by the case officer and can range from $0 - $20,000. This bond may be refunded when the applicant has left OZ and sponsored has fulfilled all the visa requirements. If any breach of condition occurs this bond will be forfeited and sponsor will be ineligible for 5 years for sponsoring any member. If partner visa is in process and short stay/visit visa is granted; Does applicant can get their medical done in OZ? Yes, they can undergo medical examination while in OZ however, results will be referred to home country CO. This might take longer time. Like in the past, when grant of partner visa is announced, applicant used to go to nearest country and made appointment with the AHC and get visa labeled on their passport. What’s the new requirement these days? When grant of partner visa is announced, applicant can go to any nearest country, contact OZ mission office in advance and get your visa. Here is one example: Someone receives a notification of grant and CO is aware that you are in OZ at this time, CO emails you and ask you to leave OZ. You now decide nearest country, arrange your ticket, hotel bookings, contact that country’s OZ mission office and email your CO that you are leaving OZ on XX of the Month, your CO will inform you of the final date (XX of the Month) for granting of your partner visa. You can ask CO that do you need to contact nearest OZ mission or CO will contact on your behalf. This has an added benefit. You need to make sure that you and CO are aligned with the arrangements you have made. If applicant is holding sponsored visit visa and he/she hasn’t travelled and partner visa grant is advised, does it require that sponsored visit visa should cease before granting of partner visa? No, partner visa supersede visitor visa. If any bond is attached to the sponsored visit visa, a letter is required from sponsor for releasing that bond along with supporting documents such as Airline Ticket, Hotel booking, etc. Anything that can proof that all the requirement of sponsored visa had been met. Does Immig dept in OZ can access offshore applicant’s file: While in OZ if partner wants to check the status of offshore application, in normal circumstances immigration is not authorize to access anyone’s file, only home country’s OZ mission can access it. Hope you find these helpful. Regards. Xara

Message is very clear. Do Not Bend Immigration rules as per your situation(s). There are too many complications and people run into those complications unaware of the consequences.

Here is the Genuine Visitor Criteria based on Procedure Advise Manual 3 (PAM3): (These procedures are regarded as Immigration Bible. i.e. nothing can be done outside of these rules/procedures.) Hope you guys find it helpful. 8.2 Assessing whether the applicant meets the genuine visitor requirement In establishing whether this criterion is satisfied, relevant considerations may include, but are not limited to: the personal circumstances of the applicant that would encourage them to return to their home country at the end of the proposed visit the applicant's immigration history (for example, previous travel, compliance with immigration laws of Australia or other countries, previous visa applications/compliance action) the personal circumstances of the applicant in their home country that might encourage them to remain in Australia (for example, military service commitments, economic situation, civil disruption) conditions that might encourage the applicant to remain in Australia the applicant's credibility in terms of character and conduct (for example, false and misleading information provided with visa application) whether the purpose and proposed duration of the applicant's visit and their proposed activities in Australia are reasonable and consistent (for example, is the period of stay consistent with "tourism") information in statistical, intelligence and analysis reports on migration fraud and immigration compliance compiled by the department about nationals from the applicant's home country. Such information, developed as profiles, may assist officers in deciding whether closer examination of an application is required to ensure the integrity of the visitor visa program. Personal circumstances that may encourage the applicant to return to their home country ("home country" being country of usual residence), include: on-going employment the presence of immediate family members in their home country, that is, does the applicant have more close family members living in their home country than in Australia property, or other significant assets, owned in their home country and currently residing in a country whose nationals represent a low risk of immigration non-compliance, even though the applicant is originally from a country whose nationals represent a statistically higher risk of non-compliance. Officers should also consider the applicant's economic situation — including unemployment or employment that, based on knowledge of local employment conditions, such as salary rates, would not constitute a strong incentive for the applicant to leave Australia. Consideration of the applicant's immigration history may include but is not limited to: previous travels to Australia; that is: has the applicant previously travelled to Australia and, if so did they comply with the conditions of their visa (or, if not, were the circumstances beyond their control) and did they leave before their visa ceased previous visa applications for Australia; that is: has the applicant previously applied for a permanent Australian visa and previous travels overseas; that is: has the applicant travelled to countries other than Australia has the applicant previously travelled to a country where there would be significant incentives for them to remain, in which case, did they comply with the immigration laws of that country. In assessing this factor, officers may give weight to applicants who had travelled to and complied with the immigration laws of a country(ies) that has significant incentives for the applicant to remain in that country(ies), either for economic or personal reasons. However, officers may have to use judicious discretion if there is a lack of travel history. Conditions that might encourage the applicant to remain in Australia, include: the applicant's personal ties to Australia, that is: does the applicant have more close family members living in Australia than in their home country is the applicant subject of adoption proceedings that have not been resolved in their home country military service commitments civil disruption, including war, lawlessness or political upheaval in the applicant's home country and economic disruption, including shortages, famine, or high levels of unemployment, or natural disasters in the applicant's home country. Where consideration of the factors above raise doubts about the applicant's ability to meet the genuine visitor requirement, such as where the applicant's circumstances may suggest the need for greater scrutiny, officers may consider/request additional evidence that demonstrates that the applicant intends a genuine visit. Officers may request further evidence from the applicant, where considered appropriate, if departmental statistical or intelligence reports on migration fraud, or profiles based on such reports, indicate that there is a significantly greater likelihood of nationals from the applicant's home country: staying in Australia beyond the expiry of their visa having their visa cancelled being refused entry to Australia or making asylum claims or applying for a Protection visa (PV). Note: The mere fact that an applicant matches the characteristics of a profile is not grounds to refuse to grant a visa. Profiles are merely an alert that closer scrutiny of the applicant's circumstances might be required. All applications must be considered on their own merits taking into account all the information and supporting documentation provided by the applicant. Additional evidence that officers may wish to consider in deciding whether an applicant is a genuine visitor include: evidence that the applicant has been employed for at least the previous 12 months, has approved leave for the period of stay sought and will continue to be employed on their return home or if self-employed, evidence they have owned their own business for the previous 12 months or if retired/non-working have other financial commitments and/or family/social ties that would provide sufficient inducement for them to return to their home country at the end of their visit or good immigration history. Generally, offers of support or guarantees given by family and friends in Australia are not sufficient evidence of a genuine visit. The onus is on the applicant to satisfy the decision maker that they intend only to visit Australia. Guarantees from connections in Australia can, however, be critical in assessing whether an applicant has or has access to adequate funds. 8.3 Taking a fair & reasonable approach Officers should take a fair and reasonable approach to the genuine visitor requirement, particularly if the applicant is in a partner relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident and/or there are children involved — see section 46: In a relationship with an Australian for further information. The focus should be on the current intentions of the applicant. Consequently, the genuine visitor requirement can be satisfied provided the decision maker is satisfied that the applicant intends to leave Australia within the authorised period of stay, even if there is a suggestion that the applicant might later attempt to seek permanent residence and/or return to Australia. In cases where the period of stay requested raises concerns about an applicant's ability to meet the genuine visitor requirement, case officers should consider whether a shorter period of stay would enable them to be satisfied that the visa criteria are met.

Dear All, Please see below links for Sponsored Family Visit Visa: http://www.immi.gov.au/migrants/family/questions-answers.htm#f [h=2]I lodged my family stream visa application outside Australia. Can I have a visitor visa while I am waiting for my permanent visa so that I can be with my family in Australia during the processing?[/h]Visitor visas should not be used for long-term stays, for residence in Australia or for the purpose of remaining in Australia for extended periods to await a migration outcome. When applying for a visitor visa you must meet all requirements, including the genuine visitor criterion, for that visa to be granted. The periods of time an applicant has spent in and out of Australia are taken into account in deciding a visitor visa application. See: Fact Sheet 54 – Sponsored Family Visitor Visas Fact Sheet 53 – Australia's Entry System for Visitors Applicants who travel to Australia on a temporary visa while waiting for their family stream visa application to be processed by an immigration office outside Australia should inform the processing office about their planned visit to Australia. If an application for a family stream visa was made outside Australia the visa generally cannot be granted while the applicant is in Australia. The exception is where a combined application was made for a subclass 309 (provisional) partner visa and a subclass 100 (migrant) partner visa. In such cases the permanent partner visa may be granted in Australia provided the applicant holds the subclass 309 visa. [h=2]Visa conditions and penalties[/h]Conditions attached to the visas are: 8101 – no work 8201 – while in Australia, the holder must not engage in any studies or training for more than three months 8503 – no further stay 8531 – must not remain beyond the visa period. Note: Subclass 600 visa holders are no longer required to pass a chest x-ray examination, even if they intend to study in a classroom environment for a period greater than four weeks. If for any reason the sponsored family visitor does not depart Australia before their Sponsored Family stream expires, or if they breach any of their visa conditions, penalties will be imposed upon the sponsor. The sponsor will not be eligible to provide further sponsorships under this visa class for five years. If a security bond has been lodged, it may be forfeited. If a request for waiver of the 8503 (no further stay) condition is made, which results in the sponsored family visitor remaining in Australia after their Sponsored Family stream expires, it will be taken that the 8531 condition has been breached (must not remain beyond the visa period). Penalties will then be imposed upon the sponsor, even if the 8503 condition is waived and a further visa is granted. If a security bond has been lodged, it may be forfeited. http://www.immi.gov.au/media/fact-sheets/54sponsored.htm

Hi ETP, When you had your medical done?

Your wife need to exit from Australia. It doesn’t require that your wife has to go all the way back to Pak, you can ask for nearest embassy say Malaysia, New Zealand etc where you can get appointment with immigration official who fix visa label on passport, that practice was in the past. Better check what’s the new requirement? I think it is same except visa label. Just advise your CO about your plan and if you are in Aussie please check with immigration and let us know on adivse. Thanks.

Faizan, Waseem, Sulmar, Firstknight, aussiegirlbay, musmanasghar and 1 others thanks for your liking.

Ladies and gents, I have checked AHC website and today is the last working day for AHC and they will be closed for Easter Holidays from 29th March till 1st April inclusive and will resume working from 2nd April. My husband said that in Australia processing centers are also closed during these days; therefore we will not receive any update from AHC. We can pray that we should get some news today on our cases. Inshallah. Apart from above, we should be thankful to Almighty Allah that we have applied for Australia and not for Canada or US where processing time is in the vicinity of 30-36 months from Pak. Those who are showing frustration should visit those Immigration blogs and check how those people are waiting for their turns. Additionally, we should also be thankful to Allah that we are going on spouse visa or skilled visa and not on student visa, where student is virtually a slave. Very harsh restrictions and conditions for students and they are more vulnerable for deportation and eventually barred from future visa applications. We should be thankful to Allah that we shall not be left stranded at arrival airport like in student cases because our spouses are settled there and we have some sort of surety that they will turn up at airport to receive us and accompany us to available residence and other places. Inshallah. Whether a person agrees or disagrees, above is my perspective only and based on the discussion with my husband.

Faizan, Waseem, Sulmar and Firstknight; thanks for your liking.

I’m not here to advocating the immigration policies but I came across two very useful online documents. What I understand that, greater the number of people arriving in Australia means more pressure on Infrastructure, businesses, employments, etc, the list is not exhaustive. Careful planning is necessary and done by Australian government and this does not mean that people get agitated while waiting but they do. Abstract is below: (Abstract The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) forecast net overseas migration (NOM) by flows and visa components and update these forecasts on a quarterly basis. The NOM forecasting framework has recently been enhanced and now combines the latest data on permanent and long term arrivals and departures with past behaviour of migrants across different visa groups to enter and leave the population. It takes into account the official Australian and world economic growth forecasts, visa grants, and the impact of announced policy decisions up until October 2012.) To help others, full document is on below link: Read through every page http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/statistics/immigration-update/nom-sep12.pdf Here is the another link which orchestrated the reforms Australian government had taken since 1996 based on political and parliamentary events. It has nothing to do with forged documents. http://artsonline.monash.edu.au/cpur/immigration-reform-in-australia-coalition-government-proposals-and-outcomes-since-march-1996/ Hope these helps in understanding the long processing time.

If partner visa is not a challenge that means someone is living in fool’s paradise, possibly you might be the one. I can describe few challenges: Spouse either bride or groom made a hard decision of moving abroad; leaving behind family members, friends, favorite activities, like minded people, job and your own soil. After painful wait for visa, once granted, new challenges emerge; living in a new place with new culture and new people, understanding systematic civilization, higher cost of living, issue of halal and haram, hardship in getting new employment, limited source of income in the start unless one of the spouse is earning good, no network of friends, establishing oneself from ground level, boredom. I have been told that initial 4-6 months are extremely hard for any person on any visa category. These are just few challenges to short list, people out there can tell you more. As for the forgery thing, this is not new; this had been in the past and still ongoing. Not only the Australian embassies, consulates around the world are experiencing the big issues on forged documents and statements. In the past people had taken asylum in UK, USA and Canada on forged documents, now a day more scrutiny is done. People have abused lenient system and now genuine people are facing such dilemma. We cultivated wrong things, and get habitual of doing it, don’t you think we get lashed for the sin which we haven’t committed. Since long time back, may be 25 years or more, it is usual practice for embassies around the world to hire local staff, this is the first point of contact for anyone. I had applied for visas for many countries in the past and it is always local staff first whom they refer to higher SUPERVISOR/OFFICER once they are satisfied. You are misguided here. As for the timeline you have described, to get you clear on this: in the past student visa was granted in 4 weeks, now it is taking longer time, on-shore PR visa was granted in 2 weeks to 4 months in the past now 12-15 months and on some category more than 24 months (in Aust, my husband’s friend is still facing this issue). As for spouse stage 1 visa, in the past it was a maximum 2 month process then 4 months and now it is 12 months as per charter. Spouse Stage 2 on-shore visa in the past was DRV (Decision Ready Visa), i.e. applicants when fulfilled all requirements, make appointment with immigration officer and get the visa on the spot, now this has been discontinued and process takes 10-12 months and sometimes even longer. Australia is the only country whose visa process doesn’t require window interview. Very rarely applicant gets phone call or face to face interview. Their visa processes are deemed stringent compared with other developed countries. Apart from MRC and personal statement, 2 statements from Aust P.R or citizen holder are mandatory. If more statements are being asked that means Case Officer is not satisfied with the submitted documents and again that depends on case to case. Most of the time it is not related with the forged documents, but it is something to do with the genuineness of application. Slightest mistake by CO may cost his or her job. You have described only one issue of forged document, on the contrary there are numerous factors, most importantly Australian budgeting and planning factor for taking certain number of migrants per year. These are structured numbers on different categories based on Australian Bureau of Statistics and world growth. In conjunction with above, not to forget population growth has increased many times including Pakistan, plus Pak is in High risk country and other number of factors attributed that too cause longer processing time. Applicant’s character assessment form 80 is checked by ASIO, and if someone had visited other country or countries ASIO also fetch information from that country, this clearance alone contributes longer time. Male applicants suffer a lot compare to female applicant. Pardon my language; you appear to be agitated, frustrated, irritated and depressed.

You are upset not me. If spouse can live together right from the beginning in Pak then there’s no need for visa, but one has departed for any given reason and wants to live together with him or her at the earliest, then what’s wrong in here. If you are so fussy on wasteful and wrong information then what about social media such as; facebook, and twitter etc, have you stopped navigating on those as well? These are also full of wasteful information, only seldom it helps. This is my personal perspective. People over here might start another thread on this topic but I’m not willing to augment this. Here is a suggestion, why don’t you write to those people to stop from sharing wasteful thing, if you manage to do the policing on facebook and twitter, come back here and we try to make you The Super Moderator of this Paki section of blog. People here are sharing views and some are going through emotional phase, instead of understanding them you are creating problems here. For your information, I have gone through most of the available blogs and forums on immigration; every single blog is full of repetitive questions, experiences and bit of frustrations from people including those gora as well. Regardless of type and complexity of questions, these blogs provide basic information sharing platform without any argument. We are in search of valuable information and some are good and some are waste of time. Disregard garbage info and move forward. Tell me, if you have been given a research assignment to write a thesis, irrespective of time limit, do you think you get the relevant, helpful and beneficial information right from the start while searching many sources. Answer is NO. You have to go through mound of information, not to forget human nature is impatient, as you go along you will find good information, couple with wrong and wasteful information as well, and then what you do? Get agitated, start kicking people and beat them to death who provides wrong information. No. Simple approach is to gather all the relevant pieces and put them in order to write thesis, time and effort with other necessary ingredients is the essence, if you understand this concept properly, apply the same practice on this blog. I think it will take longer time for you to develop understanding of the situation(s).

Many congratulations. One of the biggest hurdle is over. Thanks to Almight Allah.

Sulmar, immigration want to see the sponsor is capable of providing food, shelter and taking care of the person whom he/she is sponsoring. If sponsor is unable to support and can't provide evidence, then the result is not in anyone's favour, partner booklet is very clear on this. That's the reason immigration want to see the Australian address, Tax Assessment or Payslips or letter from employer. If you are not working in Australia and not paying taxes, you need to satisfy immigration that you intend to move back to Australia. I heard the same thing that those who are paying higher taxes than average tax payers, they are being given priority. Is it true or not, those people knew. What we can do is only pray and start a day with renewed hope.

Life is a one way ticket into this world and no one knew when he/she departs. You are out of sync here; this blog is not the place for showing your frustration. Immigration procedure and policies are clearly visible on websites. Blogs and forums are the place where people share their experiences, and these are not available on immigration or migration agent websites. We learn from others experiences, if someone had shared his/her experience we should be thankful and show some respect to them as they might have saved number of people from the same experience which they have faced or facing. Everyone’s case is different so as different exposures and different experiences and different technicalities. People out there sharing numerous amount of information, it’s up to the individual to verify it with other sources. Before applying for visa, people already have gone into the hardship of decision making process and once application is lodged this hardship grows many folds. Embassies do not provide answers on all questions; they have time constraint and orders from top. No matter how much grown up a person is and how much professional they are, if they have applied for immigration, sooner than later those people will notice that they are in same boat with others. I like to watch your messages as the time passes, if you have applied. Hope this might help you in developing your understanding.

Hi ETP, I have a feeling that, along with me, you might receive your medical letter during this March month, inshallah.

Hi ETP, I meant to say that there are hidden complications and unaware of the consequences people run into those complications. Anyway Don't Forget to inform your CO about your trip plans, this works in your favour if your partner visa is granted during your absence. This is clearly mentioned on immig website and partner booklet. You must exit, I repeat must exit Australia before the expiry of your visit visa.

Hi ETP, You need to check your visa condition specifically "No Further Stay" condition. While you are in Aussie and if you breach this condition, or if you apply for bridging visa for staying with your partner, your partner visa application will be in dead waters. Also you will not get another sponosored visa unless the current sponsored visitor visa expire. One suggestion, think and act wisely becuase your future in Australia is depencent on your actions.

Yes you can but you need to have group of people on both sides who can witness the occassion, gather photo and video evidences, Nikah Nama duly signed from all parties both in Urdu and English with official seal from Union Council, get Nadra's Nikah nama as well, its new requirement by AHC these days. As you go along in your relationship accumulate skype log, emails exchanges, phone logs use Call log backup apps on smartphones. When you visit Pak after Nikah don't throw away your boarding passes, use it as an evidence.