Priority Visa Processing of ICT Occupations Ends
 

More details here:

http://www.gomatilda.com/news/article.cfm?articleid=207

Not a surprising change, but very disappointing for those currently in the system ...



Alan Collett
alan-at-gomatilda-dot-com
Registered Migration Agent Number 0102534
and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
http://www.gomatilda.com and
http://www.collettandco.co.uk

Re: Priority Visa Processing of ICT Occupations Ends
 

Priority Visa Processing of ICT Occupations Ends

Author: Alan Collett Date: Tuesday, July 16, 2002

The Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs has announced
that priority visa processing arrangements for Information and Communications
Technology (ICT) workers have been suspended.

The decision to suspend priority processing follows the announcement by the Minister
for Employment and Workplace Relations that employment growth in the ICT industry had
plateaued and unemployment rates among computing professionals had risen
significantly over the past 12 months.

The Immigration Minister has noted that priority processing is no longer necessary in
the light of these changed circumstances but could be reactivated if there was a need
in the future.

More details are in the Immigration Minister's Press Release, which can be accessed
via the weblink below.

Weblink: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/medi...a02/r02064.htm


--
Paul O'Brien [email protected] "Alan Collett" <[email protected]> wrote
in message news:[email protected]...
    > More details here:
    >
    > http://www.gomatilda.com/news/article.cfm?articleid=207
    >
    > Not a surprising change, but very disappointing for those currently in the
    > system ...
    >
    >
    >
    > Alan Collett alan-at-gomatilda-dot-com Registered Migration Agent Number 0102534
    > and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
    > http://www.gomatilda.com and http://www.collettandco.co.uk
    >
    >
    >
    > --

Re: Priority Visa Processing of ICT Occupations Ends
 

Does this mean that if you dont currently have your visa you are back on the normal
50 week track or if you application was received in say May, then you are okay.

I have a feeling I am not going to like the answer!!!

"Alan Collett" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > More details here:
    >
    > http://www.gomatilda.com/news/article.cfm?articleid=207
    >
    > Not a surprising change, but very disappointing for those currently in the
    > system ...
    >
    >
    >
    > Alan Collett alan-at-gomatilda-dot-com Registered Migration Agent Number 0102534
    > and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
    > http://www.gomatilda.com and http://www.collettandco.co.uk
    >
    >
    >
    > --

Re: Priority Visa Processing of ICT Occupations Ends
 

I think you already know the answer ... so far as I am aware fast tracking has stopped for all applications currently in the system.

Best regards.

Re: Priority Visa Processing of ICT Occupations Ends
 

so on the day that I get my medicals done (ahead of them being asked for because I think my visa is only 3 months away) .... ICT fast tracking is stopped.

Does anyone know how processing works? ie ...

when applications arrive are they sorted according to priority and non priority and then are the priority ones entered into the 'funnel' of processing?

and therefore would applications already 2 months into the funnel just be progressed now or will they take all applications out of the funnel and and resort them on date applied?

Thanks

Dave

Re: Priority Visa Processing of ICT Occupations Ends
 

Dave ,
I for one have no Sypmpathy for you poor I.T. G uys . I have been stuck in London Since Dec2000 Because of Fast Tracking, Welcome to the real World of Immigration . Nothing Personal. I am just P....d of Waiting. As to your questions who knows how the wonderful people in Immigration sort out anything . It is allegedly done in Cronological Order. Ha Ha.


Cheers
Jamie

Re: Priority Visa Processing of ICT Occupations Ends
 

Bit harsh, Hibee. I feel sorry for you IT lot, even if I think it's been clear for several months that there was no longer much logic in fast processing IT applications. It would not have taken much 'human touch' for the Minister to allow applications already lodged to continue to be given preferential treatment - the old and valid principle of not applying rule changes retrospectively. Your expectations were set by the rules in force when you lodged the PR application.

So commiserations to those who'll have to wait another 10 months or so!

All the best

Re: Priority Visa Processing of ICT Occupations Ends
 

I think Jamie's comment is entirely understandable given the amount of IT applicants that must have jumped ahead of him due to this policy.
It always seemed daft to me, given the news of high unemployment in this area over the last year.

Having said that I have great sympathy for anyone who was counting on getting their PR quickly and now has to stay a lot longer in limbo land. Chance to save up a bit more,do some extra study etc. etc. Remember you will get there......eventually.

All the best, Pete.

Re: Priority Visa Processing of ICT Occupations Ends
 

Does anyone know whether or how or if at all this affects applications that qualify for MODL?
What would be the new estimate for IT MODL applications?

Re: Priority Visa Processing of ICT Occupations Ends
 

savuti
As far as I was aware (please correct me if I'm wrong), but MODL doesn't actually speed up your application...it just gives you the extra 5 points on the skilled independent application.

I was fortunate to get IT fasttracked, without MODL in the same amount of time that IT MODL applicants were getting processed.

Also, I think that many IT skills previously listed on MODL have now been removed.

ian

Re: Priority Visa Processing of ICT Occupations Ends
 

This is really bad for new applicants, They now will have to wait for the normal 8-20
months processing time...But what about the applicants who have applied (in my case -
January 2000). Do we have to wait for the normal time then ? That would be
scary...though