TobyShadow

Dear all,

I am currently awaiting a decision on a 457 visa for Australia. I was just wondering what the general timescales are at the moment? I have looked through the archive and there seems to be lots of different opinions as to how long the process takes.

Here is what has happened so far:

02 March 2004: My company starts the sponsorship application

10 May 2004: Sponsorship approved by Aus government

12 May 2004: I send off 457 application via internet. Am informed that I need a chest x-ray (no medical required). I also attach job offer and sponsorship approval e-mail to application.

24 May 2004: Am informed on Immigration Website that medical requirements have been finalised

28 May 2004: Am informed that application is being processed further.

Do these timescales seem reasonable? The reason I ask is that the time taken is a lot longer than what my company told me. I was told that it takes three to four weeks for sponsorship approval and about a week to obtain the 457 visa. It seems as though my company are underestimating the time taken for this process.

Also, once the 457 visa comes through (fingers crossed), what do I need to do next? Is the visa sent to me or do I need to send off my passport to the Australian Embassy?

Any info is much appreciated. Apologies for the long post.

Thanks,

Toby

Lostinreading

Toby,

I have just had my 457 visa approved, it has taken less than 2 months from start to finish.
i submitted a full medical report as we plan to apply for PR once we arrive, got an email from the woman at immigration saying she was waiting for my partners medical results, however if I wanted she could process mine first (yes please!!). I got an email letter stating it had been approved I within 4 weeks of arriving in Australia i should report to a DIMA office and get my passport stamped.
Hope this helps, where abouts are you heading?

TobyShadow

Sorry, posted in wrong forum.

Oops!

jac16

Is there a web site that you can track progress On?

---Halifax---

www.austimeline.com

karen p

For the 457 its done electronically, so you don't have to do
anything here. Just travel to Oz (though it might be wise to
have copies of any e-mails etc confirming it has been granted)
and then I think you have a month to get the visa put into
your passport.

All the best Karen

TobyShadow

Cheers for the replies. I was told by my sponsoring company that it takes about a week to get the 457 visa approved. But then they also told me that it takes three weeks for them to get sponsorship approval. That took two and a half months.

I am now taking everything they say with a huge pinch of salt.