Sorry George, can I please ask your permission to break into this conversation and ask a quick question about medical and police checks "expiring" -

my nephew has applied onshore independent skilled 885. Application lodged January 2008. He is Mech Engineer (Aussie grad) but missed out on extra MODL points due to legislative changes (no work exp). --- CO September 2008. Form 80 requested -- all documents submitted and "met" as at 16 October 2008. HR Country

Now here is the problem -- PCC and Medicals were done in October / November 2007 and front loaded in January 2008 -- we had no idea and no warning that THIS year processing times would be so slow.

Since we have heard nothing since October 2008 .... does this mean his PCC and medicals have expired (he is on Bridging A Visa and has not left the country this year).

Looking forward to hearing from you
Many thanks in advance

i waited for 6 months (on 19th November 2007 my application went for for further checks and on 19th May 2008 it completed). Luckily i was with my wife all this period in Netherlands.

i almost forgot about it and continued with my life in Netherlands. Wife got into her found love of 'learning dutch'. We flew to Sydney last month and still not sure to continue here or go back to NL. As with time, situation and priorities changes.

i could understand how frustrating the situation would be for you. Good luck.

How do you come to know of this "internal check"? Does your online status show this or you just call DIAC to find out?

Thank you for your advice.

I got to know this by my agent. He spoke with CO and informed me.

Yes, i understand that i should not do anything silly at this moment...really feeling better after reading through all replies. Let me be bit more patient at this stage.

will keep you posted with development if i hear anything.

We came so close to cancelling so many times, we couldnt move forward, we couldnt plan, it was limbo land.

But we have been here for 9 months now, Im sitting in my house and can hear the parrots on the roof, we are settled.

I am glad we didnt cancel but the only thing I can say to you is accept the fact the delay will be with the high risk country itself and how quickly they process the request and there is nothing you can do.

Accept just enjoy each day as it comes, plan what you can and when you can and remember that nothing lasts forever - including intelligence checks for your visa.

It isnt just the plane that gets you to Australia, it is a bucket load of patience during the visa process, coupled with lots of courage, stamina and and an ability to live in a new country.

You will get there.