Recently I have been getting lots of posts from people wanting me to tell them how long going it’s going to take DIAC to process their GSM visa applciation, partulcarly the sub class 475. Unfortunately I don’t have a crystal ball that I can look into and predict how current DIAC current policies (given current economic climate & political stance on immigration) or DIAC’s internal structure policy is going to influence processing times). I wish I could! Iwould be a very popular migration agent indeed. Anyway, I think only time will tell how long it is going to take, cliched but true. For most of the people who have recently applied, if you consider an approximate processing time of say 9-12 months, there is no need to hit the panic button until you come to the latter stages of this timeline. If you lodged an application in February this year don’t start pestering your agent for a hit prediction as to when you will have a visa. I think it’s unfair on yourself and unfair on your poor agent.
I would like to invite any one out there who is waiting on a visa approval to post a comment when you do get your visa approval advising your visa sub class applied for, your date of lodgement, date you did your medicals and the date your visa was granted. I would invite anyothers awaiting a visa approval to do the same so that others in a similar situation may be able to get an idea of timing.
All the best,
Mege Dalton
PS We are living in interesting times.
Hi,
Thanks for the reply.
Pls note we read one liner message downloaded from internet sight called “Visa Beureau” for subclass 475. In this it is mentioneed that “People who have applied for the above said visa,have to re apply for the same subclass and to deposit the fee once again” What is that mean?
Also note we have applied under the catagory of “Education Officer” under which i have got the successful state sponsership, under SIR(provisional) visa for South Australia. We lodged the application on 14 th July and till date we are not able to see any improvement on our case.
Our agent is keep on syaing that visa application are picked on random basis. Is this true? or there is any a system?.
Also advice where i can see my case progress or is there any link?
Regards
This is great info to know.
Hi
I really don’t about the Visa bureau site you referred to and what they mean by the post.
Processing times for the sub class 475 can take up to 12 months. If you lodged in July 08, it’s only April now, you should not start worrying yet. There is a que for visa applications to be processed, it’s not possible to know where your application is in the que. Your agent can check the progress online at the http://www.imm.gov.au website.
All the best,
Mege Dalton
Dear Mege Dalton,
I have some what different experience with this regard. I have lodged my visa application in end March in this year (2009) for the SIR visa (475) for the South Australia.
Surprisingly within 20 days I got a case officer and he has requested for medical examination.
what is the normal time line for visa granting after appointing a case officer
Hi there,
What is your nominated skilled occupation & ASCO code?
Kind regards,
Mege Dalton
Hi,
I have loadged my application on 13 feb 09 and
21 Feb my status suddenly chaged and shoing application being processed but till today not yet changed anymore and didnt ask me about medical. Could you clrify here what the status mean and will it be fast then other what not displaying APPLICATION BEING PROCESSED.
Regards
________________
Dr Russel
Dr Russel
Thankyou for your query. It’s a waiting process, don’t expect your status to change immediately. If the status indicates Application Being Processed, it means it is with your case officer who will be in touch if they require anything further from you.
Kind regards,
Mege Dalton
Dear Mege Dalton
Thanks for your promt reply.
Regards
Dr Russel
Dear Mege Dalton,
I’ve sent to DIAC to ask for my document status on Apr 8th 2009 and they replied to me as below:
—————————————————
Please include the following line in all replies.
Tracking number: GT2009xxxx_0000000xxx
Dear Client,
Thank you for your enquiry about General Skilled Migration.
A reference number has been allocated to this enquiry and can
be found in the subject line of this email. Please be assured
that we respond to ALL enquiries as soon as possible. We will
aim to reply to your enquiry within 5 working days. More complex
enquiries may take longer, so there is no need to resend your
enquiry if you don’t hear from us during that time.
WHEN WILL I GET A CASE OFFICER?
From 1 January 2009 current and new applications are allocated
subject to new priority processing arrangements as announced
on 17 December 2008. Details of these arrangements are available
at: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/migration-
program.pdf
The Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre is unable to provide indicative
timeframes for allocation or processing of individual applications,
however, we are able to provide allocation dates for applications
that meet the higher priority processing order.
To check current allocation dates, please send a blank email
to: aspc.processing@immi.gov.au (Adelaide processed cases) or
gsmb.information@immi.gov.au (Brisbane processed cases). To
determine where your application will be processed, please access
the following website address: http:
//www.immi.gov.au/contacts/australia/processing-centres/adelaide-
skilled.htm
Any further updates to our new processing priorities will be
posted on the DIAC website at: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-
skilled-migration/whats-new.htm which we encourage you to review
on a regular basis.
Yours sincerely,
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
—————————————————–
Could you explain it for me?
Yours sincerely,
Trang
Dear Mege Dalton,
Sorry, i forgot my info:
Subclass 475 (First cousin sponsored)
Graphic Designer – High Risk country
Paper logded: July 28th 2008
Case officer: waiting…
Regards,
Trang
Dear Trang
Thanks for your posting that gives me some idea regarding visa processing.
Anyway could I ask you to post your visa loadgment date?
Regards,
Dr Russel
Dear Dr Russel,
My visa was posted by agent in Sydney, Australia on July 28th last year 2008. I hope I’ll get something news on this July or latest in September.
How about yours? Thanks for your asking:-)
Regards,
Trang
Dear All
Greetings!
I would like to share an experience to you on about my frinds visa getting history,
He applied also for 475 visa,
DIAC loadgment date: 30 Oct 2008
PCC and Medical : 15 Feb 2009
Visa recieved : 20 April 2009
He is going to fly : 10 Jun 2009.
Regards
—————-
Dr Russel
Dear Russel,
Thnx for sharring this information,
I would appreciate if you kindly let us know when your friends application got the allocation of case officer by DIAC.
Regards,
Shon
Dear Shon
Thanks
He got case officer ist week of feb 09.
Regards
Dr Russel
Dear Dr Russel,
Tnx for the prompt response ….
Regards,
Dear Russel,
Could you tell me what is your friend’ occupation???
Thanks & Regards,
Trang
Dear Trang
Thanks for your query
He basically is a Medical Doctor though he applied as Medical Administrator.
Regards,
Dr Russel
Dear Russel,
His occupation is on the CSL…so that why he’ve got visa very soon…
Im just waiting for CO and hope it’s coming soon.
Thanks & Regards,
Trang
Dear to All,
Just to share my case porcessing;
VISA Applied: 475 SA state spons.
Occupation – Production Manager
Date of Lodgement 13Jan09
Visa case Officer Allocation 13Feb09
Additional Information asked by Co 13Feb 09
Medical Recieved by CO 17Feb09
I believe the processing of case varies from individual to individual I think Dr. Russel friend is lucky to get the visa on priority….
Best of luck to all ….
Regards
Shon
Dear Trang
Thanks
I did check the CSL now but dont found Medical Administrator on that list.Being a physician will he be treated in critical list though he didnt apply as a Medical Doctor?
Please allow me to know anybody here who can.
Regards
——————–
Dr Russel
I would like to share a recent announcment of DIAC what can envisage about getting visa.
You may be aware the Immigration Department announced changes to the Critical Skills List on 16 March 2009. At that time it was advised that General Skilled visa applications would be processed by the Department in the following order of priority processing:
• employer-sponsored permanent migration applications, where skilled migrants are sponsored to go into jobs unable to be filled locally.
• applicants nominated by state and territory governments, who were also given greater scope to meet critical skill shortages in their jurisdiction; and
• applicants who have nominated an occupation on the CSL .
In order to meet with these priorities only Employer, State/Territory sponsored and CSL cases are currently being processed. What this means is that if your application does not fit into one of the three categories above your application will wait until at least the end of this program year being 30th June 2009 and at this stage the Immigration Department is unable to provide any advice on processing beyond this timeframe.
Unfortunately this also impacts on those clients whose visa applications have already been lodged and may have previously been allocated a Case Officer. The processing policy has now been applied to all applications, both lodged and about to be lodged.
However there is some good news. The Immigration Department have advised that currently lodged applicants can seek sponsorship from State/Territories and if successful apply to ‘change’ their application from a Skilled Independent (subclass 175 visa) to a Skilled Sponsored (subclass 176).
If we have lodged your visa application and you would like us to discuss this option with you please call our UK office. No fees or charges will apply for this service.
Please note: The fact that DIAC is now only processing General Skills Migration applications which are State/Territory sponsored, or which have nominated occupations on the new Critical Skills List does not mean that other GSM applications cannot be lodged. This is simply a method of prioritising the processing so that the Government can better address the current skills shortages in the current economic climate. GSM applications which are not on the processing priority list can still be lodged.
This change is beyond our control and it is our job to advise you that GSM applications which are not on the priority processing lists may have a very long wait. The length of the wait for non-priority applications is something that no-one, including DIAC, can estimate with any accuracy.
Regards
———————-
Dr Russel
Dear Mege Dalton,
Greetings !
You have have assumed in your introductory talking here to consider visa approval 9 to 12 month. Is it mean the total time of getting visa? from loadgment to approval?
Regards
—————–
Dr Russel
Hi I have lodge my pplication online on 16th MArch 2009.
Subclass 175, Computer Professional (.net) with MODL.
Just After payment i saw few options. Like
1. Acknowledgeemnt of Payment
2. Attching Documents
But there were something to fiil up, but there was an error on their serevr. So I could not fill up. After That I could not found what was that? Do you know anything like is there additional form to fill up after lodging the application?
Regards
Emu
Dear Emu,
After you made payment, did you notice a Transaction Reference Number i.e EGNSF7D9D2 If there is a server error you can always log in again on the DIAC website and using the TRN and your password be able to access your lodged application to download and print off your receipt, document checklist as well as attach required documents to your online application.
Kind regards,
Mege Dalton
visa 475
south au
quality assurance manager
application 11-07
officer 12-08
medical 12-08
forgotton medical 2-09
no word since
the problem is that i can\t follow up as i have an agent
he is not following up
Hi Mege,
My cousin has applied for Skilled Graduate 485 and has received WA 010 bridging visa.
Can he apply for Permanent Residence now ?
Dear Mege,
HR country,
Occupation: Statistician 2293-13
State Sponsorship available: Victoria(Only)
I have applied for Skills Assessment(Vetassess), i have more than 4 years working experience in Marketin & Sales, my question is,, will Victoria grant me the sponsorship(with irrelevant experience)? My MBA will complete in June 2009. Will MBA give me any edge in obtaining Sponsorship?
In the Victorian Sponsorship form,, how much money should i show in my account? AU$ 15 – 20,000 will be enough?
What particular area should i choose to settle?
Kindly reply.
Thanks and best regards,
Danish
Dear Mege,
Greetings !
I have applied for visa subtype 475 in june 08. It’s more than 11 months now but there no CO alloted yet. when i ask my agent he always asks me to waite for some more time. As i am already in 12th month of waiting -
1. Shall i press my agent to follow up?
2. Does he has any role to play in CO allocation ?
3. Can an agent inquire the status of an application which does not have CO?
4. What do you expect -do we have any chance in this financial year or we need to waite till next (i.e. July 09)
Your reply would be highly appriciated.
JgSingh
Visa class:475
Lodged in: June 08
Country: High Risk
Online application
Documents: Front loaded
CO: God knows when this day will come….
JgSingh
Visa class:475
Lodged in: June 08
Country: High Risk
Online application
Documents: Front loaded
CO: God knows when this day will come….
CSL: No
Modl: Yes
Hi Jaz,
I can’t just give you a yes or no to your question this would not be professionally responsible of me, applying for a permanent visa if you are or were a holder of a substantive Australian student visa is based on a number of additional requirements not just your current visa status.
However, in general, Skilled independent visa sub class 885 and Skilled sponsored visa sub class 886 are permanent visas available to overseas students who have completed 2 years of study within the last six months and each qualification counting towards the 2 years of study must be closely related to the nomination occupation.
Does your cousin have a migration agent who is handling the Skilled Graduate 485 visa application? If so, they should be able to review his details in full and explain if he or she is in a position to lodge an application.
Kind regards,
Mege Dalton
Hi Jags,
Thanks for your comment on this forum. To be honest, it’s very difficult for me to say how much longer you could be waiting and your agent will be in the same situation. Migration agents do not have any role in CO allocation.
The Department of Immigration is reducing its number of case officers so this will slow down processing. We are also coming to the end of the Australian financial year and with the reduction in skilled visa quota, it’s a possibility that the Department of Immigration has no more visa approvals to give out until 1 July 2009.
In your case it does seem like a very long time to be waiting for a case officer allocation. Can I ask what skilled occupation you nominated for your application and who sponsored your application?
Perhaps contact your migration agent again and ask for their feedback on the situation and if they have received any specific or general advice from the Department of Immigration regarding processing of sub class 475 visa applications.
Kind regards,
Mege Dalton
Dear Danish,
Thankyou for your post to this forum.
Do you have any work experience at all as a Statistician? Did your marketing and sales job rely on your training as a statistician?
You need to show you have recent work experience of 12 out of the last 24 months.
Victoria does not require you to prove your financial status, however you do need to have adequate funds to support yourself.
In relation to where to live in Australia, I suggest you do some research into different areas in Victoria, this is a useful link
http://www.liveinvictoria.vic.gov.au/living-in-victoria/melbourne-and-regional-victoria
Kind regards,
Mege Dalton
Your MBA is a positive as it means you are highly qualified individual but it will only add value to your sponsorship application not be a determining factor on its own.
Dear Mege,
Thanks a ton for your valuable & informative reply.
I have nominated my case under skill ” Training Officer” & my application is state sponsored(SA).
Warm Regards,
Jags
i received the following reply
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship recognises that the time
taken to process your application may be causing you and your family
concern.
The case officer is currently conducting a preliminary assessment on
your visa application to determine if they require any further
documentation to process your application. Once this assessment has been completed your case officer may contact you if they require any additional documents
details as follows :
visa 475
south au
quality assurance manager
application 11-07
officer 12-08
medical 12-08
forgotton medical 2-09
can you shed some light on the situation ?
Hello Nahla,
Thankyou for your comments. You have most certainly been waiting a long time for this advice from your case officer. It’s good that it has finally come. Given the changes to the processing of applications, this advice could indicate that the case officer is now looking at your sub class 475 application within the new framework of priority processing of sponsored visa applications. This could mean that it is now finally being assessed and hopefully you will receive a further advice as to what else might be required to finalise your application.
You have been waiting for a 1 year and 7 months now, I hope you will not be waiting for much longer.
All the best.
Mege Dalton
Dear Mege,
I lodged my visa application under subclass 475 under state/territory nomination from South Australia. I lodged my application in the month of December and my case officer was alloted in the month of feb and they asked to undergo medical tests and also obtain PCC. I have done that and also scanned across the documents to them. I completed all the formalities within March only, but till date i have had no reply from them. Could you please let me know as to how much more time will it take for visa processing. My nominated occupation is “Sales & Marketing Manager” and the ASCO Code is 1231-11.
Regards,
Arunangshu
Hi Mege,
I had applied for 885 visa in Dec’08 (CSL occupation). The electronic visa status has changed to “Application being processed further” with Document Checklist changing from required to received. Could you please clarify if the change in status indicates a CO allocation? And could you also advise on how long could it take once case officer has been assigned?
Regards,
MS
Hi Mege,
Just wanted to add further information. The status “Application being processed further appeared on the first week of April ’09.
Regards
MS
In Response to the enquiry about the status of my visa application i recieved the following email.
Dear Sir/Madam,
Thank you for your e-mail in relation to your visa application under
Australia’s General Skilled Migration program.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship recognises that the time
taken to process your application may be causing you and your family
concern.
We are seeking to finalise your application as soon as possible. You will
appreciate, however, that all non-citizens applying for visas to enter
Australia are considered on their individual merits and against legal
requirements set out in Australia’s migration legislation. This often
includes requirements for mandatory health, character and national
security or other checks that are undertaken by other agencies and can
take some time.
The timing for the completion of the checks varies from one case to
another depending on individual circumstances. Unfortunately, I am unable
to provide you with a definitive timeframe for finalisation of your
application as some cases may take many months to finalise.
You can be assured, however, that the Department of Immigration and
Citizenship staff will do all they can to ensure that your application is
finalised as quickly as possible.
We appreciate your patience in this matter.
All the Best
Shon
Hi Arunangshu,
Thank you for your comment but I can’t predict how much more time you will be waiting for a decsion onb your sub class 475. If you lodged in Dec 08 and have reached your medicals and pcc stages by March 09 you are one of the lucky ones, some people you will see on this blog has been waiting for 1 year and 7 months so far and haven’t even had a case officer allocated to their application yet.
I would suggest you play the waiting game some more but be confident in the fact that your application is clearly in the higher category of priority processing.
Kind regards,
Mege Dalton
Hi MS,
The change in status could mean your application has been allocated, particularly if you have a CSL occupation. There is no specified time for how it takes DIAC to assign applications to its case officers.
Kind regards,
Mege Dalton
Hi Shon,
Thanks for posting this on this blog. I have to say it certainly shows a softer more empathetic side of the Department of Immigration not really seen before. I think they are finally realising that a lot of visa applicants feel like they are in a purgatory about what is happening with their applications, that behind all the File reference numbers are actual people. Good on the DIAC for inserting some humanity into this bureaucratic process! better late than never.
I hope that your own visa application is finalised soon.
Kind regards,
Mege Dalton
Hi Mege
I have applied 475 visa on 17 Oct 2008 till now no reply from them . I dont know whats happaning there ?
Regards
Janaka
dear sir,
this is amala dass somu from india.i work as a cook.
Visa class:475(skilled regional sponsored visa)
Lodged in: may 09
medical examination on:-14 may 2009
PCC :-18 may 2009
case officer :- ?
dear sir,when can i expect CASE OFFICER.still how long will take me to come to australia.
will you give the details of this.
warm culinary regards.
amala dass somu
somujero126@yahoo.com
Hello Amala,
Thankyou for your comment but I can’t predict how long it will take for your case to be decided.
Kind regards,
Mege Dalton
Hello Janaka,
You can enquire about the progress of your application via the immigration website.
Kind regards,
Mege Dalton
Dear Janaka,
one of my friends who lodge his application on May 2008. got his visa last month that means on April.
So, it is clear that they are processing applications which are submitted around May of last month.
because of new priority system, I think there is limited CO for applications which have been lodged before December 2008. So, I think you have to wait another 2-3 months.
did you submit police Clarance and medicals. if not best thing , you better apply for Police clearance, I think you residence in Sri Lanka, and here it will take another 2-3 months to obtain it. if not you have to wait another 2-3 months to subbmit clearance report also.
for your information, I have different experience with this regard. I have lodge my application for 475 Visa for South Australia on April this year (2009). within 20 days I got my case officer and asking from me to submit Medicals and Police clearance report.
I have submit medicals but unfortunately Still try to obtain Police clearance, it very difficult to get clearance report from, with this lethargic officers.
Dear Mage
As per GENERAL SKILLED MIGRATION
ADELAIDE PROCESSING INFORMATION
State or Territory Nominated Applications – once the department has
received and approved a nomination from a state or territory authority,
processing of the application will commence within 10 working days of that
approval. Should you need to, please lodge enquiries about your
application via and Applications with a nominated occupation on the Critical Skills List
(CSL) – are being processed in date of lodgment order.
Please let me know GSM 475 visa is under State or Territory Nominated Application If yes they should be allcated my application to CO by this time
Please advice
Regards
Janaka
Hi Mege,
In the updates from the GSMB, the allocation dates for 885 is given upto 3rd April ’08. My application was made in Dec ’08. When can I expect a CO allocation given my occupation is on CSL? What is the significance of the allocation information? If I am not allocated a CO, then is it advisable to contact the processing centre to enquire about my application status? Please advise.
Regards,
S D S