Izzielizzie

Thanks @sunshine11111, how long had they been expired before you got your grant?

My IELTS as well overseas police clearance expired while waiting for a CO and I was getting stressed and actually applied for a new police clearance from my home country, however my visa got granted without requesting new or additional documents.

Thanks @jess6 and @PierreC - and yes, I reckon the overseas police checks and IELTS would definitely take more than 28 days. Pray it doesn't come to that. This wait is unbearable.

@wendyjoe1026 will definitely update - there's a lot of us from JAN-APRL and from 2015 still waiting. Most have just stopped actively posting here (it becomes painful after a while), but many of us are still waiting!

Hi, wondering if anyone has had their requirements (police checks, medicals, IELTS) expire before a CO was allocated? Did you update them or were you asked to do so?

Waiting 340 days now and wondering if we should bother updating or if it's a waste of time/$ as all of ours will be hitting one year pretty soon. Those files all take time to acquire - and what a pain!!!

We frontloaded all the requirements thinking it would speed up the processing (ha ha:wacko:) --- worried they might expire since none of the files lodged prior to JUN have had any movement lately.

Given how long it's taking to process a number of our applications, I wouldn't be surprised if this doesn't go live today. Just in case though, the below links might be useful.

Service standards page

Allocation dates for GSM - really only useful for Skillselect as ENS shouldn't have other standards for allocation..

Processing times

Or, sensibly, they could provide a click-through from the homepage or via the news post shared previously.

Hi @kirsty160990, yes, my handle here's too long.:err:

I hope we all get our grants and answers soon..or that we at least gain more patience or perhaps, a new perspective - anything to maintain our sanity and peace of mind.

Peace out everyone - hope the site launching tomorrow gives us some much-needed insight.

@Ajm Visit them personally?? Are you onshore? Because if you've been to immigration offices here, you'll realise it doesn't really work that way unfortunately.

If you read back through this forum, my employer's MA has emailed and called a couple of times..and so have I. They've said that it hasn't been allocated yet, and that this is due to staff resourcing, large volume of applications, a system of qualifying which "group" your lumped under, etc.

And if you look through our spreadsheet, a considerable percentage are still waiting for a CO - people haven't "forgotten" to update their details - I've seen posts and received direct messages from several who are still waiting, but just stopped posting on this forum.

@MANSON - massive CONGRATS!! And to the rest of the new PRs, enjoy your freedom!

R u onshore ?

If u onshore just visit them personally.

Hi @Zee14042016, I can relate! Don't even know how I feel most times...somewhere between anxious, resigned, depressed and numb though most days I try to shut down any visa-related thoughts. Getting harder and harder though - it's like massive thunderstorms oppressively weighing over our family.

We're two weeks away from ONE YEAR with no CO, and no communication from IMMI. It doesn't seem like we are even under their radar. We know from this forum that several people from 2015 and early 2016 are still waiting with no explanation - we seem to have been lumped into whatever categories they're under??

Have you heard of the proposed 'visa ban bill' and Migration Amendment (Visa Revalidation and Other Measures) Bill 2016? Basically takes away transparency, and empowers Dutton to cancel visas on the basis of nationality, race, religion, etc. so he'll have similar powers to Trump but WITHOUT the checks and balances the US has.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/mar/01/think-trumps-travel-ban-was-bad-peter-dutton-may-soon-have-the-power-to-play-god

Has anyone spoken to their MA about this at all?

Hi @badaich87, @marianaammon, @jess6, @Vickiw89, Zee14042016 - what a nightmare, huh???

We are hitting 1 year in a few weeks. The good news is, I've stopped constantly checking...the bad news is that I'm no longer expecting to get a CO allocated anytime soon. Just gutted by this unfair process - complete, solid application (at least by their published standards) - but still no CO allocated after 11 months, and NO explanation or helpful input from IMMI. Beyond ridiculous. Contacting them is useless too as they even act like we're irrational and impatient for questioning the long wait.

Also, asking people to please stop hiding the older tabs on our spreadsheet. Those are not neglected updates - there are still many waiting from early 2016 and late 2015. Let's not forget them too.

Dear IMMI, thanks for working hard and for all the PR grants. Please try to remember all the older pending files - give everyone a fair go!

10 months 1 week and 3 days and still no sign of hope.... so I can exactly feel how u feel mate ..... I really hope immi start considering our applications soon before trying to look into the very recent ones......[emoji19][emoji17]

 

 

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@syd2016 @MANSON, maybe this forum is actually facilitated by IMMI and the posts by @jess6 et al RE their pattern of just approving 60-70% of cases each month, moving on the subsequent months and then, leaving the rest waiting endlessly has some truth to it? #ConspiracyTheory

If you look at the spreadsheet, a bunch of us have simply been de-prioritised and set aside while they moved on, approving newer cases to meet their benchmark or target. Technically, those standards should not exist for the 186 ENS! By the very nature of this visa type, we should all be high priority.

We've been calling IMMI regularly since late last year and each time, same response: despite our complete application, still NO CO and still processing MARCH 2016. Nearly 1 year and there have been grants up to September. How unfortunate could our group be???

And how can we have zero rights? Ridiculous. Once we're well beyond the average processing timelines, they should just provide honest, realistic timelines specific to our case because being in extended limbo affects everything. Yes, we're at your mercy, but this is still a paid service and we deserve some sort of explanation.

@Gary1985, no news yet as above - the whole process now makes me mad.

@ganeshji, your BVA doesn't activate until your 457 expires. so YES, you can still travel. We went overseas on our 457 despite BVA being granted for the same reason.

Folks, its weird that the posts of this forum from 01-March-2017 onwards are gone/deleted/missing!! Does anyone has any clue about it?

Hi @jess6 and @April16 - NO CO yet, sorry to disappoint! In my message I wrote, '..that by some miracle, we in fact now have COs assigned to our cases, finally.' - Sorry for the misunderstanding and false hope! How I wish!

By the way, IMMI told me to follow up by the end of FEB so I rang and here's the feedback (BUT take it with a grain of salt since IMMI has been unreliable):

- They haven't heard of any removal of occupations from the CSOL affecting processing. He even laughed, saying no, it's simply the volume of cases and that he couldn't see any red flags on our application at all.

- As far as our case is concerned, they're still working on some MARCH cases and that it should be "soon"

- As to why later cases have been granted whilst we don't even have a CO yet, fella said that it's all different and that in my "group", still working on March. He didn't explain how/why we're grouped. Only that apps are grouped and then distributed. And then, they just pick up the cases according to allocation.

- Told him our application was lodged complete -- basically decision-ready. He said it doesn't matter and that only has impact ONCE you have a CO.

SO, hope the above gives you some peace of mind. To conclude -- maybe it's because it's via DE, we're from a HR country, maybe my occupation, we're a family? I don't know. Maybe we just got unlucky and our group has a backlog, or too many staff had long holidays...I don't know. But I know I'm tired of the waiting game so I'm going to do my best to sign off.

@badaich89 @Zee14042016, @Gary1985 and everyone else, best of luck, keep us updated! I will update here and on the spreadsheet for sure. I'm there as Iz.

Really happy to see that you have a Case Officer, we should see your approval this week

Hi @jess6, thanks for the link. Sorry for your loss - I've experienced first-hand the tragedy of being away from loved ones when they passed. By the way, getting a BVB is not complicated so long as you show them proof - maybe doing that will give you peace of mind.

And yes, just as @syd2016 mentioned, we also have a number of critical things tied up with this visa - too much in fact. If not for that, I wouldn't sweat the long wait.

We're hitting March, I can't believe it - 325 days, nearly 11 months waiting. Hope they catch up with the backlog and that by some miracle, we in fact now have COs assigned to our cases, finally. Getting harder to keep anxiety at bay - struggling to go day to day unless I "forget" it. Tough too, seeing others still waiting from SEP, NOV 2015 and early 2016. Hope you all get your PR grants very soon.

Meantime, new week, new glimmer of hope! Here we go, let's get our PRs this week!

@Izzielizzie I applied late June indeed, I am much more nervous since I am on Bridging visa A, as I need to apply to a Bridging visa B to leave the country which seems to take around 2 weeks to be granted.

I lost my mum 27 months ago, and if I had not been able to jump on a flight when the hospital called me, I would never have had the chance to see her again.

At the moment, my grandma is unwell and it worries me. She raised me and I am pretty close to her so I hope she will feel better soon.

It is pretty traumatising when something tragic happens back home, as it takes over 24hours to travel back to Europe.

 

We will hopefully know a bit more about the timelines soon: http://www.border.gov.au/News/Pages/global-visa-and-citizenship-processing-times.aspx

 

I'd be very thankful to be able to travel freely again.

Hi @Zee14042016, think that's the exact quote for the automated email response now. It's rough day to day, isn't it? We're caught between a rock and a hard place. Likewise, my employer's MA advised holding off on calls to IMMI (though I was told in JAN to call FEB-end) so maybe it's for our own good?? MA seemed more optimistic and reassured that they will follow up if we still haven't heard from IMMI by a certain date.

Hey @jess6, thanks for sharing your analysis and optimism. The info RE DE seems off so I hope it doesn't happen. You lodged June, right? They seem to be approving Jun-Aug lately. I'm so weary and resigned already. Figure we either get it or we don't, and it happens when it happens..but it doesn't make the extended wait easier.

@badaich89, someone quoted you in their response to zacata and for a moment, I thought you had gotten your PR!

@Gary1985, still no news? Hope you get it soon too. Who knows? Maybe today/tomorrow!

@aussiepr, I cannot believe you're still waiting from SEP-2015! Is it being processed though? What are your details? I can't find you on the spreadsheet - are you using another username?

Congrats @zhj88!

@tuckersgirl sounds like good news - good luck! May I ask if your AFP has already expired? If not, when does it expire? Just wondering if we need to start looking at getting new documents too.

GUYS, the good news is that it's FRIDAY! Plus, 99.95% (wild optimistic guess, haha) of 186 applications get approved...so let's seek comfort in that. Happy weekend!

@Izzielizzie and @badaich89 : My MA reverted after contacting the department with a follow-up because I pushed for it. Here is her response. No of much help, but just in case if it makes you feel any better:

 

" We have been advised the following: We are currently allocating ENS/RSMS cases lodged between March and August 2016, however not all cases in this date range have been allocated. You may be contacted when your case is allocated or if further information is required. Please note that we will not respond to status enquiries.

In light of the above as previously advised we would need to wait till we hear back from the Department. We would strongly recommend you not contacting the Department in any way as this may not be look favourably by the Department.

Unfortunately the Department are severely under-resourced as such the long processing times. No point in stressing."

Hi @jess6 and @Zee14042016 - yes, it certainly seems like ICT and healthcare roles get processed more quickly and based on recent timelines, DE MS ones take much longer compared our TRN counterparts. However, when I look at other occupations like Cook, Customer Service Manager, etc., some DE ones were quick yet others wait a while, for instance @Gary1985 has been waiting for a CO since Feb 2016. So maybe there's something else?? Do you think that 186 DE applicants already onshore and working in their sponsoring companies could potentially be experiencing delays?? I've been with my employer 3 years now, though I did not fulfill the two years on 457 with this company upon lodgement, hence our DE application.

Wish they could also prioritise the rest of us waiting far longer too. Hitting 11 months soon, what a shocker! But even longer for Gary and the others. There should be more transparency in allocation - for months last year, the automated email was stuck on 'Feb applications' and now it's covering 6 whole months. Weird! Plus, we know that there are files pre-March still pending a CO. If they're understaffed, time to reallocate/hire extra resources to catch up with the backlog, as it's doubtful that 75% are still being processed within 6 mos. In theory, 186 applications are ALL supposedly priority cases. I can understand delays when in progress, but simply not been allocated?? So is time of lodgement basically irrelevant now? I hope we see movement in the older files this week and in the next few.

WOW @zacata, just saw your post and had to edit my comment - that sounds wonderful - CONGRATS on your new life as PR, and best wishes on the new baby!

@jess6 : I completely agree with you. I am in the same boat as you guys, waiting since April, DE. I think it's something to do with the occupation. Anyone in the IT industry or with ICT occupations gets approval faster compared to marketing related occupations. To top it we are not even transition. Only if some of us knew this is the case, we would have applied via transition or in my case i could have applied to an IT related occupation coz i am a research analyst in the IT industry. It's all luck. Also there are some more hidden factors which we aren't aware of, however, DE vs Transition and Occupation are definitely somewhere on the list of factors at the top. Just waiting for our luck to shine somehow. At Least some credit needs to be given to people who have applied way before and are waiting without hearing a word from the department since forever!

Your case hasn't been allocated to a CO at all, right? Did you know that the automated email now states that they're allocating March to August? Hope you get it soon too!

This insane, random process = a roller coaster of emotions!! Some days, I'm really okay and think, surely we'll get it in a few weeks! And others, like today, something happens or the fact that I've been saying "surely..." for months on end now just gets to me..or I dunno, maybe I just lack sleep.

Some days the anxiety of waiting (seemingly endlessly) feels unbearable.

Hi izIe , I am good thanks how you doin? Still same status , called MA and email as well they say just wait .. don't what to do ?

of the

@Nikki, I agree with @jess6 - sorta similar reasons for us going via 186 Direct Entry although I've been with my current employer for a few years. In hindsight, not worth all the stress and lack of stability and wish we had secured our papers long before.

In your situ, guess you'd have to weigh if you want PR now via your current application OR this job first..and then another PR route eventually? I don't think you can have it both ways. Technically, you'd be breaking IMMI rules, etc. If the main applicant switches jobs, it really renders the current sponsorship, including skills assessment (if he's going for a different occupation), null and void. If you're planning to hide it, would the risk be worth it? From the chatter here, it seems that IMMI has been doing site visits too. Personally, I wouldn't risk it. You might lose out in the end too. But that's me. Probably best for you guys to seek a lawyer/MA's advice. Best of luck!

@Nikki I would also recommend to seek advice.

Technically if your partner is in the process and apply for another job then the 186 application will be canceled.

Besides when you apply to the 186 visa you declare having the intention to stay with your current employer 2 years.

 

It is really a decision that can only be made by him

 

From my experience, looking back, I would stick to my current job if I was in the process and if I feel super confident my visa will be approved.

But that's just my experience really.

I have the feeling that the immigration department is getting tougher each year.

 

Personally, I was about to apply for 186 visa transition 2 years ago with my previous employer when I received an amazing opportunity with a very prestigious company and a much higher salary (my current job).

I got told by migration agents that I could go with the Direct Entry visa so I did not worry about the PR at the time.

Today I kind of regret it because the process is so much more uncertain and stressful than 2 years ago. I would have saved myself a lot of unnecessary stress if I had kept my previous job.

 

So yeah, you guys have to think about what is the most important thing for you.

Hi @@Gary1985, how are ya mate? Any news?? You're over 1 year now! Has your MA contacted IMMI?

It's March next week - all pending April files are a month closer to 1 year waiting with no CO. Really hope they remember all the older pending files and work on it soon! :wacko:

Or who knows they might be changing your status to finalised ....[emoji4]爛

 

 

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Hi, oh no - I wish I hadn't checked today - now I'm worried. Ha ha ha! I can login but for some reason, once I'm in, clicking to view the application results in an error message. I've tried different browsers, cleared the cache, etc. but still nothing. Gosh, I hope nothing's wrong.

@MANSON, we lodged early April 2016 and this is the first I've encountered this error, hence the concern. No matter, I will try again later or tomorrow and hopefully it's just a glitch. Yikes.

Nah mate unfortunately it is all working fine lol[emoji12] maybe just try logging in again after a bit....

 

 

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Hi! Wait, so you're not getting an error message stating the system is currently unavailable??:nah: I've tried different browsers and am still getting the same when I try to view my application. Has anyone seen this error before?

I just logged in but still same status RECIEVED....[emoji52]

 

 

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@APR15 @April16 @jess6 @Gary1985 @badaich89 @Zee14042016 Jeez guys, this paranoia is contagious:laugh: After reading your messages, I decided to log onto my IMMI account to download my application summary so that I have a list of all the attachments and viola! I can login to my account but trying to look at my visa app gives me an error message, stating 'the system is currently unavailable' - the URL also shows a blue key on it?? Can you guys try to log into yours?

I did print and download my application right after we first lodged, but since then, I've updated payslips, etc. (given the amount of time this has taken) so was hoping to re-print/re-save anew...what does the error mean??:twitcy: Hopefully nothing bad. Maybe it's just a system error or a bug..

Hi @SimonPang, how devastating - so sorry to hear that. Do agree with the others above - as a software engineer, can you apply independently via skillselect EOI or perhaps via state sponsorship? If you get your skills positively assessed, doors will open - and prob much more quickly than via ENS nowadays. Best of luck!

@Gary1985 and @jess6, we're still in limbo but finally got our employer's agent to follow-up w/IMMI since we're hitting 11 months! They advised a few more weeks for allocation. So I'm holding off on calling myself - it's better than the usual "call in a month" or "might be allocated in a month or so" that I've heard previously. Earnestly praying that this time, it's for real. Our 457 is lapsing soon too, not to mention among other things, the requirements that might expire since we applied both nom and visa decision-ready.

CONGRATS to all the recent PRs!

To the others waiting a long time, hoping we hear positive news in the coming weeks. Meantime, sorry for the late responses - I'm trying to focus on other things. Thinking about how long it's taking (while others seem to get it in half the time it seems) makes me insanely anxious so I'm trying to minimise the time/energy/damage.

My nomination has been refused last week because of financial situation of the company,

 

in a word, they don't think a small company with such little income has the right reason to

 

hire a person from oversea.

 

It's sad to get a result like this after more than a year's waiting, but it comes eventually.

Dear @AKper @April16 @Zee14042016 @Gary1985 and other FEB/MARCH/APRIL applicants, any news?? I looked through the spreadsheet and noticed that there haven't been any grants for our timelines since November and December (for April). Also read here that they are now supposedly advising allocation for March to August? It's crazy that ours have not been allocated at all! Has anyone spoken to IMMI lately?

@jess6, looked at the points system but it seems odd that they would use that without disclosing? Also, I checked my points and I'd score pretty well too even without all proof provided (for those that are not required for 186 DE) so..that should've meant my file would've been allocated more quickly?

I'm wondering if they allocate based on country/region of origin...not just on HR vs LR. Maybe they have limits to the number assessed/approved per country/region?

@AKper, Oh no - terrible! Have they been in touch though? I hope you get your PR soon.

Seeing the disparity in timelines is ridiculous--with many having submitted COMPLETE applications BUT still showing 'Received' with still NO CO allocated after 300-500+ days waiting?? Absolutely shocking, unfair and painful - and unnecessarily so. I keep praying that IMMI surprises us with some good news..and hope we don't come out of this too battle-weary. Whatever happened to 'managing expectations' and giving everyone a fair go.

I saw a few asking about age - I'm between 30-40 - is this the same for all those with longer timelines?? You would think our experience would be advantageous though? Although, I did not have all my experience assessed in the interest of time...ha!

jess6, thanks for that - so far no luck but who knows hey?:twitcy:

But I will try to end this on a positive note - let's all try to forget this for the weekend - it will come in good time. Better be SOON please!!!

314 days for us since applied for visa & 538 days from nomination date :frown:

Hi @syd2016, if my understanding of your concerns are correct, you might not need to worry about that. If you log into your IMMI account again, on the 'LOGIN SUCCESSFUL' page (before you go into the actual account), read the standard notes and disclaimers - at the bottom, they mention that this is a mere error as per below. If this doesn't apply to you and it really bothers you, perhaps ask an MA?

MY HEALTH DECLARATIONS ISSUES

My Health Declarations forms that have been submitted to the department are incorrectly displaying a status of incomplete within ImmiAccount. The incorrect status will not affect the health examination process. Users can still access the eMedical Referral Letter via the View health assessment> Organise health examinations links within ImmiAccount.

@nims17: In my IMMI account, I got line items. My Health Declaration and the other is Visa applied. My Health Declaration status shows incomplete. But if I click the application, its says submitted and no action required. So I assume this is correct.

 

Bdw, have submitted form 1221 and form 80 for all adults in your application?

Hi @kathyisakoala! I just saw that your NOM was from NOV-2015, though your visa was only last JUL - that is a long wait - SO happy for you, congratulations!

Hi everyone, my visa has been granted! Yay!

(The grant notice is pretty simple 2 page document. I thought it would be much longer to include all the things/benefits that a PR are entitled to.)

 

I have updated my info on the spreadsheet. I am on July tab.

 

I hope more good news will come out for lots of you soon!

Hi guys, still no word from my end either...still no CO allocated. Unfortunately, I can't call IMMI anymore as was advised to wait until the end of this month should my case remain untouched by then. Hope to God not. 307 days waiting for a CO now.

I saw a few comments that maybe people who lodged prior to June just didn't update the spreadsheet - pretty sure that those from 2015 and early 2016 that have been posting and messaging their frustrations would definitely, happily update ha ha!

It's so frustrating man , looks like April files have just been put aside for some reason and no one is looking into them ....[emoji17][emoji19]

 

 

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Thanks @Nasir, you and me both! Sorry for spreading my gloom and doom - I couldn't stand it anymore so I went to the loo (at work) and did some jumping jacks, then I had some chocolate before heading back to work. Feel so much better now. BRING IT. OUR PR IS COMING. :laugh: Best of luck to everyone! It's good to have this forum and see that we're not alone.

Glad to see you hanging around here. See you in the citizenship forum a year after our PR is granted. #TheSecret ha ha! :twitcy:

Hi Izzie, I'm desperately waiting to read good news from you that "YOU HAVE GOT YOUR VISA GRANT" . Its just CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!I can imagine its extremely painful as you've been waiting for more than 10 months now.

 

I wish and pray that everyone on this forum gets their approval soon without any issue.