Hinds1

Hi,

We applied on the independent skilled category back in November 2000, through an
agent, and have stiil not even been sent for medicals? We know the process is very
slow, but does anyone think we should be concerned we haven't got to the medical
stage yet? Also once the medicals are done, does the visa come through fairly quickly
after that?

Thanks

Alex & Linda

Alan Collett

Hi Alex and Linda.

The current expectation for processing times of Skilled Independent applications
through London is 15 months (that's from lodging forms through to visa grant), so you
might want to arrange the medicals now (as well as the police checks if not already
submitted) as they would be valid for 12 months from the date of having them done.
Details of UK panel doctors here: http://www.australia.org.uk/vti/FORMS/doctors.pdf -
let me know of you want some blank forms sent to you (though your agent should also
have a reserve stock of them).

Bear in mind that your first entry date to Australia will be 12 months from the
earlier of the police reports and the medicals, so the earlier you have them done the
shorter is the time frame within which you have to enter Australia. If you are
planning to travel to Australia soon after your visas are granted though this won't
be an issue.

By contrast, if you wait to be asked to submit your medical papers you can safely
assume all other aspects of your application are in good order - visas should then
follow about six to ten weeks afterwards.

Hope this helps.

Alan Collett alan-at-gomatilda.com Member of the Migration Institute of Australia,
Number 1230 Registered Migration Agent Number 0102534 and a Fellow of the Institute
of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales Managing Director - The Go Matilda
Trading Company Limited W www.gomatilda.com Offices at Enterprise House, Ocean
Village, Southampton, Hampshire, England, SO14 3XB. - T +44 (0)2380 488777, and
5/11 Queens Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia - T +61 (0)3 8530 7030 "There are no
shortcuts to anywhere worth going"

hinds1 wrote in message ... Hi,

We applied on the independent skilled category back in November 2000, through an
agent, and have stiil not even been sent for medicals? We know the process is very
slow, but does anyone think we should be concerned we haven't got to the medical
stage yet? Also once the medicals are done, does the visa come through fairly quickly
after that?

Thanks

Alex & Linda

Hinds1

Thanks Alan

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A+V Johnson

Hi Alex & Linda

We applied in November 2000 we where sent the medicals forms with no covering letter
theses went off in July. We also off our own back sent off Police Checks we have also
heard nothing. good luck kind regards Roni

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Lou

Hi, based on my experience this is not unusual: my application took a staggering 20 months in all (though 3 months of which were to do with extra paperwork to prove my graduate status which was recognised in the UK by way of a post grad diploma but was not recognised initially by the immigration authorities).

Once the medicals and police reports are submitted, approval is pretty switch thereafter (a couple of months..).

Good luck. Lou

Jaj

Alan This is true in principle but you still need to be careful. I heard of one case
where, for example, an over-18 child in full time education dropped out and got a job
after medical exams (on the basis of a plan to start a new course in Australia), and
the result was that the rest of the family got visas and she didn't as she was no
longer considered a dependent at the time of decision.

Jeremy

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