SUMMARY: Spouse Visa Processing times OFFSHORE-UK. Please add your Stats.

[Peach]

I'm not sure I understand the relationship between 'program numbers being reduced' and 'increasing processing time'. Surely they're still going to issue the same number of visas, just taking longer to do each one. How does that reduce the number of visas issued? Am I missing something here?

 

By increasing the processing time it reduces the number of visas that are approved in a 12 month period. Trouble is it also means that they start to build an ever growing backlog..

[Salma]

Dear Salma,

 

This will not add to the application processing time of your visa. Once I receive a clear referral from our national office I will be expediting your application as quickly as I can because by the time this occurs the 5-6 months time frame will have passed.

 

The response I got from my CO so it seems as I was given a 6 month time frame already it wont effect me!

[maybeamy]

Awww bless, I hope it gets sorted for you really quickly!!! Men honestly :wink: with the whole don't stress my OH he is excately the same nothing seems to phase him it will happen when it happens kinda attitude, might be why he has less grey hairs then me lol.

 

 

Thanks I have always thought I was a laid back mellow person, but this visa has proven me wrong, we actually booked wedding in Feb when October seemed miles away, he is Australian, and had the whole "lets just get married now" attitude, but I was the one, who said no, lets do it properly pmv, spouse ect route and we actually held back our application, until I got my exam results ( I am a 40 y.o reception teacher and have been doing special needs to qualify as a SEN teacher) thinking it would be just an 8 week wait , Ohhh how wrong I was, now OH's brilliant idea is just come, nip over on an 11 hour flight to NZ to activate visa. I'm beginning to feel like Miss.Haversham, customs are gonna love opening my case on my holiday visa, wedding dress, veil, tiara, shoes, favours etc.....

 

It is no good I really shall have to ring my CO, I can't cope with the silence!

[wakeboard1980]

I also haven't heard anything from my CO yet - the latest I heard from him was when he told me to contact him at the 4 mth point....although posting this is probably going to jinx that and I'll get 'the' email today.

 

I'm not sure I understand the relationship between 'program numbers being reduced' and 'increasing processing time'. Surely they're still going to issue the same number of visas, just taking longer to do each one. How does that reduce the number of visas issued? Am I missing something here?

 

 

It will mean that they can reduce the numbers of visas approved this year, because they effectivley may not issue any visas in the next 2 months and then visas lodged in jan/feb next year will go onto 2011/2012 year. But if they still have the same number apply next year then they would have to increase the processing times again to continue to reduce the numbers because by that time everyone will be in the same boat, timeframe wise.

[sharonp53]

It will mean that they can reduce the numbers of visas approved this year, because they effectivley may not issue any visas in the next 2 months and then visas lodged in jan/feb next year will go onto 2011/2012 year. But if they still have the same number apply next year then they would have to increase the processing times again to continue to reduce the numbers because by that time everyone will be in the same boat, timeframe wise.

 

 

The situation gets worse. The agent we used passed on an emailed response from us yesterday and this morning we got this response back:

"I can assure you that this is a measure that has been implemented upon all migration applications through this office and all offices globally. If you believe that other people you may know have been given visas before yourself you may be thinking of people with temporary visa applications. The only way we are able to expedite applications at present is if there is a significant medical emergency involved. Until we receive notification from our national office regarding other possible circumstances that would require us to expedite I can only advise that yours does not fit this criteria at present.

At present your application will be finalised in early November at the earliest. the reason we cannot give a definitive date for completion is simply due to circumstances like this where the processing parameters may change. If you have a complaint about this development you are more than welcome to lodge one through our global feedback unit. An email enquiry form to them can be found at the following weblink: http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/forms/services/services-form.htm"

I really am devastated. Is this true? Does anyone else have any information. :arghh:

Sharon

 

Timeline: submitted 6th April 2010. Front-loaded. 2nd July CO called 2-4 weeks latest. 28th July: applications now 5-6 months. Ours early Nov earliest (nearly 8 months).Told all visas on hold worldwide(government directive):

[sharonp53]

not good so the Aus govt would like its nationals to stay abroad rather then give their partners visas!:arghh:

 

Yes, we are being denied the right to live in our own country with our families!! Is that not some breach of moral decency at the least? Oh, I forgot, it is a decision made my politicians.

[emmaroo]

The situation gets worse. The agent we used passed on an emailed response from us yesterday and this morning we got this response back:

 

"I can assure you that this is a measure that has been implemented upon all migration applications through this office and all offices globally. If you believe that other people you may know have been given visas before yourself you may be thinking of people with temporary visa applications. The only way we are able to expedite applications at present is if there is a significant medical emergency involved. Until we receive notification from our national office regarding other possible circumstances that would require us to expedite I can only advise that yours does not fit this criteria at present.

 

At present your application will be finalised in early November at the earliest. the reason we cannot give a definitive date for completion is simply due to circumstances like this where the processing parameters may change. If you have a complaint about this development you are more than welcome to lodge one through our global feedback unit. An email enquiry form to them can be found at the following weblink: http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/forms/services/services-form.htm"

 

I really am devastated. Is this true? Does anyone else have any information. :arghh:

 

Sharon

 

Timeline: submitted 6th April 2010. Front-loaded. 2nd July CO called 2-4 weeks latest. 28th July: applications now 5-6 months. Ours early Nov earliest (nearly 8 months).Told all visas on hold worldwide(government directive):

 

where did you lodge your application?

[sharonp53]

where did you lodge your application?

 

 

London, but if you see the email I got it make no difference where you lodge, this is a worldwide thing.

[emmaroo]

This sucks! :cry:

[emmaroo]

London, but if you see the email I got it make no difference where you lodge, this is a worldwide thing.

 

I was asking as I notice from your time line that it will be 8 months and not the stated 5-6 months which must be extremely frustrating for you!

:cute:

[sharonp53]

Hi everyone,

 

I got my visa! :jiggy: I recieved an e-mail from my CO on Friday saying that the visa had been granted, and I picked up my passport from the Embassy yesterday.

 

Hopefully this means things will get moving for the rest of you, but I'm not sure how busy the Embassy in Berlin is compared to the one in the UK...

 

Hi,

 

Not sure if you will be back now you have your visa, but if you are, what visa type - 100 or 309?

 

Good luck with the move,

 

Sharon

[sharonp53]

I was asking as I notice from your time line that it will be 8 months and not the stated 5-6 months which must be extremely frustrating for you!

:cute:

 

It is really hard. I have a disabled son back home and my ex badly needs help with him! It is really crazy, I want to tear someone's head off!!

[emmaroo]

It is really hard. I have a disabled son back home and my ex badly needs help with him! It is really crazy, I want to tear someone's head off!!

 

Oh Sharon is there no way they could rush your application through due to your difficult circumstances?

 

I wish you lots of luck and hope you get a decision sooner rather than later

 

:hug:

Emma

[sharonp53]

Oh Sharon is there no way they could rush your application through due to your difficult circumstances?

 

I wish you lots of luck and hope you get a decision sooner rather than later

 

:hug:

Emma

 

Thanks Emma,

 

I sure plan to try. I just spoke to my ex and he is writing a letter stating that he has been hanging out for the support and that my son is now quite distressed.

 

We never used this to try to get faster processing in the first place as we did not think it would be an issue since we were unable to leave until late June anyway, and at the time we applied applications were taking just a few weeks.

 

I really hate that all our lives are on hold and we should be in a reserved stream with an automatic right (as long as relationships are genuine and criteria are met) it is so wrong. I also think it will badly backfire on them as other countries may start to treat Australian's applying overseas in the same way their citizens are treated by the Aus government.

 

Politicians!!!

 

Sharon

[Guest DaveBecs]

Make sure you make sure your CO sticks to their word DaveBecs.

 

they could at least process the visas they have in the 3-4 month timeframe and start the 5-6mth ones from now and inform everyone when they lodge them.

 

Typical government departments, doesnt matter what country you are in they are all the same

 

 

Hi Wakeboard, I had an email from him today asking me to contact him on 7th August, when he hopes to finalise my application, so fingers crossed

[Peach]

Thanks Emma,

 

I sure plan to try. I just spoke to my ex and he is writing a letter stating that he has been hanging out for the support and that my son is now quite distressed.

 

We never used this to try to get faster processing in the first place as we did not think it would be an issue since we were unable to leave until late June anyway, and at the time we applied applications were taking just a few weeks.

 

I really hate that all our lives are on hold and we should be in a reserved stream with an automatic right (as long as relationships are genuine and criteria are met) it is so wrong. I also think it will badly backfire on them as other countries may start to treat Australian's applying overseas in the same way their citizens are treated by the Aus government.

 

Politicians!!!

 

Sharon

 

Hi Sharon.. Two points.. 1. Why can't you just get on a plane and go assist your distressed son? - you hold an Australian passort. 2. Visa applications have taken considerably more than a few weeks to process throughout 2010.

[wakeboard1980]

Hi Wakeboard, I had an email from him today asking me to contact him on 7th August, when he hopes to finalise my application, so fingers crossed

 

Maybe there are some renegade CO's in there. Good luck

[sharonp53]

Hi Sharon.. Two points.. 1. Why can't you just get on a plane and go assist your distressed son? - you hold an Australian passort. 2. Visa applications have taken considerably more than a few weeks to process throughout 2010.

 

Hi Peach,

 

First, I am unable to leave my OH here to run the business at home on his own, it is our only source of income. We have already parted with two staff-members to prepare for the move.

 

At least if we are both there we are able to work together, sharing the responsibility, rather than me being out of the business completely.

 

Also, we have no idea how long it will take and matters would be far worse if I had to return after establishing a routine with my son.

 

Secondly, when I was preparing my application in January and February people were getting visa in a matter of weeks. I did not rush to get mine in as I had a broken leg at the time and had enough on my plate and June was a long way away then. I could kick myself now!

[Jibbah24]

This is a real pain and it just goes to show that red tape's everywhere whilst common sense is often in short supply!!!!

 

However, does this really make any difference to people moving to Australia. Please forgive my ignorance here but I will be lodging my wife's application next week and we are hoping to move over in around 5 months time. Should her visa not be processed by this time can she not just travel over on a holiday visa until it is ready? I believe these allow the person to stay in Oz for three months which should be more than enough time.

 

Granted she will not have all the benefits of a PR straight away but at least we will all be able to go.

 

 

 

:confused:

[Peach]

Sorry is none of my business. Just playing devil's advocate.. You may get asked the same question as obviously your son's welfare is paramount.

 

My visa went in on Jan 7th and wasn't approved until June 30th (straightforward application, handled by a respected agent, subclass 100 granted).. I'm yet to read anyone on here or the other popular expat sites (of which you frequent at least one) that didn't have at least a three month wait. Hence why I raised an eyebrow..

 

Anyhow, I'll shut up - no offense meant. Although now out of the loop I certainly understand your DIAC frustration..

[sharonp53]

Sorry is none of my business. Just playing devil's advocate.. You may get asked the same question as obviously your son's welfare is paramount.

 

My visa went in on Jan 7th and wasn't approved until June 30th (straightforward application, handled by a respected agent, subclass 100 granted).. I'm yet to read anyone on here or the other popular expat sites (of which you frequent at least one) that didn't have at least a three month wait. Hence why I raised an eyebrow..

 

Anyhow, I'll shut up - no offense meant. Although now out of the loop I certainly understand your DIAC frustration..

 

Hi Peach,

 

No offense taken, I am grateful you asked the question because you are right, we will be asked the same and at least now I can cover that in the first instance.

 

Our situation is complicated as in addition to my son's situation (which came to a head due to the breakdown of his father's thrid marriage in early June) we were advised, by our UK and Australian accountants, to close the UK buisness at the end of the financial year and open an Australian company, which we did. Now we have to deal with a crazy situation with the business - I won't go into details here, but it is a very difficult situation all round.

 

But, we are not alone. There are a lot of people here that are hurting from this.

 

Sharon

[emmaroo]

Hi Wakeboard, I had an email from him today asking me to contact him on 7th August, when he hopes to finalise my application, so fingers crossed

 

Hope you get the news your waiting for!

 

Good Luck

Emma:cute:

[Guest pim]

Hello all,

 

I have have been granted a subclass 309 Provisional Partner visa yesterday!

 

My full time line:

 

28-03-2010: Sent off visa application (London), front loaded with police checks and medicals.

01-04-2010: Confirmation receipt application + more information requested.

06-04-2010: Sent requested information.

30-07-2010: Visa granted.

 

I sent an email asking for a date when the application would be finalized on the 28th of June, this was exactly 3 months after applying. We were (initially) advised that processing times would be between 3 and 4 months.

The response was that it would be finalized on the 30th of July the latest and that was what happened!

 

I want to thank everyone on this forum for providing information, it really helped us allot to get our application together, we could never have done it without this forum.

 

I also want to which everyone good luck on their visa applications!

 

Thanks!

 

 

[emmaroo]

Hello all,

 

I have have been granted a subclass 309 Provisional Partner visa yesterday!

 

My full time line:

 

28-03-2010: Sent of visa application (London), front loaded with police checks and medicals.

01-04-2010: Confirmation receipt application + more information requested.

06-04-2010: Sent requested information.

30-07-2010: Visa granted.

 

I sent an email asking for a date when the application would be finalized on the 28th of June, this was exactly 3 months after applying. We were (initially) advised that processing times would be between 3 and 4 months.

The response was that it would be finalized on the 30th of July the latest and that was what happened!

 

I want to thank everyone on this forum for providing information, it really helped us allot to get our application together, we could never have done it without this forum.

 

I also want to which everyone good luck on their visa applications!

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

Congratulations!

:jiggy:

[Guest DaveBecs]

Congratulations PIM