Lion

Hi, great council of sages, just a ping here to let you know that I am pretty much halfway through the spreadsheet update. Oh, my love for the over-engineering... Other than @natmis, is there anybody else who is active on this forum (and plans to keep doing so) that would like to pitch in in the future to assist with the maintenance? @Hex? @boo-yaa? Trying to make it as effortless as possible, but since we cannot fully yield and bow to the machine overlord, I will still implement a touch of human control needed.

That, we can do. Is probably a wise choice. @natmis Planning a bit more in depth changes actually (still based on google spreadsheet, but getting rid of the entire edit permission mumbo-jumbo through a more polished approach, if possible). Would need a very small number of people (1 is probably more than sufficient actually) that volunteer their assistance down the line to move the existing data, redo part of spreadsheets/formulas and maintain it. So, yeah, congratulation, you are hired! Shortest job interview ever. If only Immi would be so quick...

Well: we did the medicals three times; I redid my English test (luckily they didn't ask for the wife to resit it); redid the police checks three times (or maybe four); we had to provide tons of relationship proofs and also proofs of our marriage, as it happened well after the application (and yeah, that was not out plan); we filled and provided all forms that we could have provided (80, 12xx something, 8xx something). Should I reprint everything I would get a stack of paper big enough to comfortably build a house with it. See there? Thanks to Immi I also solved the housing affordability issue! And this is only for the application. There were probably a few extra kgs of paper sent by the company. Funny fact: from the refusal my Immi account was pretty much frozen. I was unable to upload new documents, even when requested; after the refusal everything has been sent through email. And yeah, nah, it was not funny. At least you guys could have hit "refresh" 500 times per day on your online account, I couldn't even do that!

Yes, there was a refusal for the usual financial sustainability thingy. I was probably among the first being refused for what looks now a fairly common reason. There were a few mistakes done there (an updated balance sheet was evaluated as a forecast from immi, for example, so they stated that no sufficient financial proofs were received). What left the migration agent stunned back by then is that they didn't ask for further information (as it was the norm back by then) and refused it outright. This is now the baseline rule (possibility to refuse the visa due to missing info). This was right when the dept of immi was being merged with the border protection, which by itself brought its own delays. Then we had some less than optimal (for us, hopeful migrants) picks as ministers for immigration and tons of frauds been made on permanent visa requests, which together makes a very bad mix for genuine migrants too. The estimated processing time for my entire application was originally 4-6 months. After over 9 months I received the refusal. I've to note that, after my application, the processing time skyrocketed to a peak that reached the 20+ months at one stage (according to my burnt brain at least). From the refusal the expected wait time for the appeal was 10-11 months, but I had to wait 20 months for it. The tribunal overturned the decision and approved the nomination and, for reasons unknown, I've had to wait further 11 months to get the final application approval from immi. What a journey. I knew I was a genuine applicant, so stuck to it and fought to the (sweet) end. It costed me and my wife 3 full years of grief, stress, sadness and quite a coin too...but is over. Oh, BTW, the PR approval letter is pretty plain and boring. After all that money and suffering they could have at least doodled it a little and made it a bit nicer. Or write on it how of a faithful Australian IMMI customer I must have been to wait patiently in line for almost 4 years!

Wouldn't have been happy should it have been granted in February. It would have been 39 months, which is an odd number. After 40 months (and 2 days), my wait is over. As a thank-you to this forum I will try to spend some time on the re-design of the spreadsheet. More info will follow as soon as my brain cools down enough and I have some time to do some actual spreadsheet magic. Stay strong!

Hey Tiziana, click on this link and it should become much clearer: https://www.pomsinoz.com/settings/signature/ Stay strong!

Hi forum, since I'm on the spreadsheet from longer than it existed (seriously, I believe I was originally listed in the previous iteration of it), I took charge of it. Access request will be received and handled (in a timely manner, hopefully ) by me

Hi forum, somebody requested screenshots to another user to validate his claims of a long wait...thought that it is a nice idea (the masochist I am)! Here my timeline...heavily redacted of course and a few milestones are not there (chiefly the good news, as these came from the Administrative Tribunal and not from Immi), but the important stuff of my journey is there. I'm at my wits end. Know we are now very, VERY, close...but it has been over 3 years. In Dec 2018 I've been told that the medicals we had were still valid. A month later I am asked again for the medicals (now invalid). We had them completed mere three hours after the request (through luck and determination to complete the process ASAP) and now we are waiting for the reply from them. Hopefully it will be the last reply and it will be a visa grant. I know we are there, but I also know that we missed so many things in these three years...for a visa processing that should have lasted less than 6 months instead (according to the original processing time when the application has been submitted). The sacrifices and the stress that both me and my wife have endured. The opportunities we had to pass on. The joys we had to postpone to an indefinite "when the visa will be granted". All of it are buckets and buckets of stones on our chests. When I speak about the stress involved in such a long wait on a bridge visa to many here in Australia, I'm almost always dismissed and brushed away. Many don't get the stark advantage of having a sponsored visa, or a Working Holiday, or a student! They have a finite deadline! They know what are the boundaries and how to move within them. For us few, on a bridge visa from years, each day is pretty much a torture. I'll be honest when saying that, when I received the first refusal (well over 4 months late, according to the original processing time) I was almost relieved. I had a sentence and now the ball was again on my side of the pitch and it was my turn to counter with the best I had. Now, I have a few things to ask to this forum: If you are waiting from 1 year or so: don't stress. If your application has been submitted according to the books and you submitted all the needed evidences, then there is nothing else to do than wait. Be confident that the processing time is not as bad and as unreliable as it has been in the past months. You will get there and all of this will just be a speck of dust in your huge picture of memories. Stressing when still within a reasonable margin from the average processing time is pointless and will do no help. At the same time, you will likely find little consolation on this thread, many are on your same boat and as puzzled (and terrified) as you are. If you are waiting from more than the 90% processing time: I feel your pain. I really do. I've been, and I still am, there. Seems like a never-ending nightmare. But I always looked forward to the certainty that there was an end to all of this, that I was in the right and with a lawful application and that things would have got right if I pushed enough in the right direction. Do the same. Also calling Immi or writing them is likely not gonna help you much here...but you never know! We found that there was a mistake in my wife's file that popped up from we do not know where (rechecked all the application and docs submitted and all was correct). We found a nice soul (or one of the people deserving her wage, if you want to use less spiritual concepts) at the call center who spotted the issue and helped us to push the correction. We had no visibility at all on this mistake, so had no way to know about it and solve it if not for that lucky call. Keep in mind that not all the ones that you will find on your path will be as helpful! In one call to the Immi I have been told that the only thing I had to do was leaving the country and to not come back (the call has been lawfully recorded, in line with regulation, and is one of my treasured possessions of this trip). And this after over 40 minutes waiting at the phone. At the same time, keep in mind that calling or emailing them every day is not going to do you any good and will only occupy their time even more. If you have submitted a fraudulent application and you know it: you have only one way to redeem yourself. Withdraw it now. Don't let it become another case pushing shortsighted policy makers, going for the easy win of populism, to harden even further the process, making it more of a pain for all of us who are doing everything lawfully. I am confident that the process became such a nightmare at least in part because of people submitting fraudulent applications. Yeah, yeah. I know: withdrawing now you will lose your shot at it, after having invested the money. Maybe you have even been suggested this path by some shady employer/agent/whatever and you feel is not your fault. Nah, you're in it. Your name is in it. If you really want to be selfish, think that if you get caught you lose your money anyway, plus would get as bonus a likely ban from Australia. If you really don't want to redeem yourself...well, then just disappear. And I don't mean stuff like "die with unbearable pain and torture"; let's not get violent. I mean vanish! Puff! Dissolve yourself in quarks. Possibly in outer space as I assume the process would liberate quite a bit of energy. A**Hole energy. If you are a MA, or even better a case officer: put yourself in our shoes. Think at how hard it is to program anything and do anything long-term if you are on a bridge visa. Think that what are daily hiccups for someone who can afford the joy of planning and thinking forward, becomes huge burdens for a person that might get a "nah matey, that's not you country anymore! G'day!" any moment. Yeah, I know, might seem a bit exaggerated. But on the long run even joys can become sufferings if you know you have to pass on them. You can touch the joys, but can't make them yours. Be clear with the person you are assisting. Be realistic, thorough and considerate. And yes, we know you might have a bad day, but don't let this affect your job. Dealing with immigration is dealing with people lives. Often entire families. That's not an exaggeration for sure. For all of us: during the years/months, this forum made me realize that for some people a PR in Australia through the 186 right now is simply not worth the stress and efforts. I agree! If you feel that you would lose more than what you will get and have a better path to reach your objectives, go for it and avoid the 186! Not saying that to demotivate peoples. But after going through 3 years of this ordeal, I know that there are many things that you could miss in a worst case scenario and a thorough analysis of all possibilities, risks and benefits is due before committing to any choice. If my circumstances would have been different (older, with kids, etc), these 3 years could have been much harsher. If you are in doubt, then study and study and study! Be thorough before committing the money, time and stress. If you know that your case is strong and you are confident about your nomination and application, then don't sweat. You will get it. Just be informed, spend time reading and understanding the rules and laws (don't blindly trust anybody) and actively push for your goals if you feel things are going sideways. Plan for the long trip and enjoy it should it reveal to be a short ride! That's all I guess. Sorry for the long post. Hopefully we'll have good news to share soon!

Quoting and answering myself here. It's fine to send documents and replies through email if you cannot access your online immi account for cases similar to mine. Regarding the medicals have been asked today to redo them anyway. Reason being that these were valid at the time of their request for further information, but are not anymore now that they looked at the papers... So yeah, even if listed at completed once they request the info you would be better redoing these anyway if are going to expire in a month or two. Please, keep all your prehensile appendages crossed for us... After almost 40 months on a bridge visa we might be getting there!

I hear you Tiziana. But every single day I remind myself that, both my and my wife, have sacrificed so much already to reach this point that any exit strategy is pointless. We're past the event horizon and only have to endure it and get it through. All fellow Italians suffering on this forum, shoot me a PM and let's organize a get-together to weep/celebrate together! It might help to hear again cursing in our own language. On another subject: do you guys have experience in sending documents to Immi directly through email? Asking that because I cannot do anything on my Immi Online portal as the original application has been finalized Mid 2016 (refusal) and then successfully appealed. My MA sent the documents through email, but apparently this is a no-no according to the request letter. Let me know if anyone of you managed to send documents to them through email without issues. Calls to Immi call center have obviously been totally unhelpful so far. And, on yet another subject: A few (tens of) pages back I asked if the medicals had to be redone if the exams where listed as (Completed) on the request. The MA confirmed that there is no need to do so as it means they have recent ones that can be used. This might have avoided Bella to redo her medicals. Maybe will help someone else. Or maybe my MA was wrong and I'm going to crash and burn...who knows? Is all part of the excitement of having 0 information and even less (negative amount?) of feedback! Yay!

Thanks B! Well, on top of the previous doubt, my application is listed as finalised from mid 2016 (date of original refusal, there has been a successful appeal in the meantime) and the interface is still locked for me. Know that the visa is officially processing, with same TRN and all and the communications and last update date is actual, but the interface is limited (can't attach anything etc). Did you had "(complete)" listed besides your exams in your most recent medicals requests? I know that yours were expired too from a matter of days, so this might apply. Anyway me and wife cheers for you too Bella (and for pretty much all this forum); once all this visa storm is behind we should organize a meet up of sort for this forum thread. In the meantime I'll smile upon you all, with my full 37+ months of wait

Wow, what a ride closing to this Christmas. We might be in for big news. We have been asked for updated medicals and police checks (the previous ones where dated 23/11 and expired from just a few weeks). On the health examination list though all exams are listed as completed, and the document states: "If a health examination is listed as 'Completed' this means that there is an existing examination that can be re-used for this visa application. You will not be asked to complete this examination again unless a repeat examination is required because your medical circumstances have changed or the examination has since expired." Have any one of you experienced the same? Are we in for another round of medicals or can we simply provide our most recent HAP IDs through email? Thanks!

Refused Aug 16 (a few months over the original time line already), AAT process took about 1.5 years (again longer than what originally indicated). Like to think that I got used to wait, but that's hardly true. Been waiting "any day now" from 3 years, when the original expectation was to be in the process for citizenship by now. The bright side of the story is that I'm apparently one of the very few unlucky ones. Happy for all the ones who get there in humane times.

Application should be "decision-ready", other than for the possibility that they will now ask again for medicals and police checks...and maybe even wife's IELTS as that's expired too by now. Probably we had such a long wait because the nomination was originally refused. Approved then through appeal. My calculations says that, considering the current processing times, I should be out of the deadline around May-ish (this excluding the time spent with the nomination frozen for the appeal). AH! Still remember when I originally submitted my application...the processing time was something like 4-6 months back by then...

I used to agree with your preference...until we (me and wife) had to go through medicals and PCCs two times already and we'll likely have to go for a third time (last medicals expired a few weeks ago). And we both hate needles and my wife has the habit to faint...so this time we will not do anything unless personally escorted to the medicals and comforted while there by the Co. Including kiss on the boo-boo once done, to make it go away. Thing is, each case is a story on its own and each applicant should evaluate their priorities (possible extra cost vs possible extra delay). @boo-yaa method is likely the safest and most balanced bet and would suggest new applicants to follow something close to it if in doubt.

Proud to state that I'm actually waiting from 2015, so that's probably: 1 from 2015, 3 from 2016, 17 from 2017

Hey, I like this game. Look at my signature and cheer up! "There is always worse", my mother used to say. And note that an appeal was needed to get that nomination approved. That explains part of the delay. Now I would be happy to be bested...who's waiting from longer than me?

Just a reminder that there is the silent army of the "us", the ones waiting their 186 from well over 6 months. I actually applied when the processing time was advertised as 4 months for this class of visa if I'm not mistaken. Despite that, here I am, almost 9 months and counting. To make it nicer my case hasn't even been passed to a CO yet, so it's still pending. Is all as it was 9 months ago, probably with just more dust on top of my application. To the guys holding position from 6+ months, our success will be sweeter and we'll enjoy it more! To all the ones who managed to get it before the 6 months mark...oh well, tell us your secret!

Restoring a previous point should erase eventual subsequent edits made after said restore point. Don't have time to double check on the spreadsheet right now, but that was the case a few months ago and it always created havoc in the projects I worked on when that was done. The spreadsheet edits should actually be restricted (or restricted more) and allowed only to a subset of users that should take care of "garden-keeping" in my opinion. On the same page, a more advanced solution is creating a restricted "back-end" spreadsheet and a "front-end" one. However thinking about going back again to complex implementations in Google Spreadsheets makes me dizzy. Congratulations to all the successful ones. Who's in for getting "decorously wasted" (of course, non-alcoholic beverages available too) when we'll reach the goal? Should organize a PR party or something like that.

Hello world, I'll start with an answer. Yeah, I guess it's mostly an Italian thing. You need to submit both "Carichi pendenti" and "Certificato generale del Casellario giudiziale". Of course NAATI translated. As far as I have understood this "double" certificate is not much used in other countries. As for "how long will it take"...oh well, it may be tomorrow or it may be in three months or more. Sit tight and relax, stuff will happen. BTW, I'll copy your timeline template. If someone would like to add it to the spreadsheet feel free to do it. Nomination and Visa application: 10/11/2015 Bridging Visa granted: 11/11/2015 (Latest) Medical examinations: 05/05/2016 (Latest) Documents requested: 20/05/2016 (Latest) Document submitted: 20/05/2016 LR Country Direct Entry Profession: Web Administrator 2 People (me and my fiancee) Processing center: NSW PESE Status: Trying to enjoy this time of uncertainty telling myself that nothing is certain after all and that, probably, the universe is just chaos anyway...basically just sobbing, powerless, staring at the rain or something like that. Guys...I guess the first thing I'll do after getting the PR will be having psychological counseling...and I was perfectly sane before embarking in this process with Immi! BTW, should you need help with maintaining the spreadsheet I may assist. Have a LONG experience with pretty advanced Google Spreadsheets. Can't guarantee on the time availability though. All the best to everyone!