canadiandownunder

NOTE: I am not a migration agent, you should seek professional council if you need help :NOTE This was my experience with bridging a/b visas (and should not be construed as professional advice or in any way authoritative, see above comment about seeking peofessional advice) When my 457 was running out and I had a business trip scheduled (literally on the day my original visa expired), the agent my company used submitted the 457 renewal (which also grants a bridging A visa); For the bridging B visa, they had me go and file in person; The bridging B visa can apparently be granted on the spot if you have travel that is less than two weeks away (at least thats what the senior immigration agent said, but depending on who you end up talking to they can get very strict, mine said that because I was there at 9am ad my flight was at 11am two weeks later that they wouldn't grant it on the spot - I had the misfortune to get an agent on his first day, who first claimed that there was no way I could file for the bridging visa in person if I was a 457 holder) - That said, it was granted the same day when it was passed along - The paperwork I was given to file was not simply the standard pdf, it had extra attachments like plane tickets and letters from my company covering why they were sending me, etc which I would assume helps answer questions like "why can't you just hang tight for a bit and not leave the country" If you are in a tight spot, speaking to a migration agent is the best option so you get informed professional advice and avoid anything that might impact your application at a later date

I would guess that it is more that on shore applicants will already have some records with immigration from their existing visa (unless it's something like a vistor ETA), so it's doubtful that onshore applications get a higher priority, but perhaps there is a bit less work to do because some of it has already been done before, and thus the grants appear to come in quicker. (Just so it's doubly clear, This is merely a guess, not based on any sort of personal/actual knowledge )

[Was: Someone has edited the spreadsheet and a lot of data is no longer visible again, is anyone able to revert to the latest version before it disappeared ?] Edit: it's been fixed

* I should update my original post just so the information is in order/complete for others applying/who have applied and are watching the grants come in I submitted all pcc's, job references and pay stubs, skills assessments, education credentials, et al all at the initial application time. The medical was processed via eMedical (on shore in NSW) after my application was submitted online and form 80 was uploaded after the original submission to round out the application to be as decision ready as possible, both were completed before the 30 day mark

Just a note for people waiting and frantically reloading the forum thread and google docs spreadsheet, Applied 2015/08/18, All docs (pcc, medicals, work references, skills assessment & form 80) certified and front loaded ahead of time, Direct Grant processed by the Adelaide office this morning (2015/09/28) NOTE: I got the "You EOI has been removed" email before I got the visa grant email, so there was some tense moments, but it turned out well