Need Speedy Processing of 136 SI
Beenz
I applied for SI - 136, in late may. Looking at the current processing
time, even if I try to thougt positively , I can't see CO nomination
before December-2006. And due to different reasons I actually want to
go to Australia by December (no additioal visa idea, filling oe
application is enough for the lifetime). Is there any way I can do
something regardig the processing speed like paying some extra fee or
sendig the medical / PCC unrequested (I just want to be sure that once
they receive all the necessary stuff they start processing the
application irrespective of processig time, otherwise I might need to
retake the medicals / PCC.)
Lookig forward to your replies.
Beenz
Beenz
Ay idea guys???
Gill Palmer
Hi Beenz
Slow down a little, my friend. Let us unravel your several queries one
at a time, I suggest.
1. You cannot pay an additional fee in order to expedite any part of
the process, regrettably - we would all pay up if there were!
2. You have to validate the visa by physically entering Australia
within a year of the earlier of the PCCs or the meds . Since you have
not even begun with either, you've got till the end of August 2007 at
least in order to validate, I should think.
3. The effect of frontloading PCCs and meds is that it avoids
unnecessary delays once the CO who will actually grant your visa is
ready to start processing it to finality for you. It does NOT have the
effect of making them appoint the CO any sooner than they otherwise
would have done. So if you jump the gun, the risk of maybe having to
redo them lies with you.
4. If you are expecting to sail through the meds and the PCCs with no
trouble, and you are reasonably sure that your application is complete,
accurate and can be finalised quickly once the CO contacts you,
personally I support what I call "semi-frontloading" regardless of what
the professionals say. If you are reasonably sure of a CO in (say)
December, then in your shoes I would consider doing your meds and PCCs
unrequested between about mid-October and mid-November.
5. If you want to go to Australia in December and you hold an
ETA-eligible passport, you would be able to obtain a subclass 976 ETA
(tourist) within about 20 minutes via an on-line application. It would
not permit you to work in Australia, but it would enable you go go
there, and you need NOT return to your country of origin in order for
your 136 visa to be granted. You merely need to ensure that DIMA has
new, up-to-date contact details for you.
You would have to leave Australia and be offshore in order for your 136
visa to be granted, but Bali/Singaport/NZ/Fiji are all "offshore" for
this purpose and the staff in all of them (plus the COs in Australia)
are very familiar with the drills. The get the visa all-but ready - ie
do everything short of actually granting it - until they can see via
the DIMA computer that you have departed from Australia. With you
gone, the CO grants the visa and asks his/her offshore colleagues in
the relevant office to evidence it quickly for you. Once it has been
evidenced, you catch the next flight back to Australia, validating your
new permanent visa on the way in. (The grant of a 136 visa
automatically cancels an ETA.)
Sure, it involves extra expense - extra flights and accommodation for a
few days - but it is your money and how you choose to spend it is your
business, since paying an expedition fee is not an available option.
Good luck & best wishes
Gill