Originally Posted by movingbacktoaus

As far I was aware the processing time changed from 5-6 months to 8-9 months around August time. So anyone who has applied before August will likely have received theirs now or will in the next few weeks. It'll be interesting to see if any of those who applied in August get a visa soon or if they still have a few more months to wait.

Additionally we emailed the CO handling my wife's application last week and he stated that he would aim to finalise the application around June/July, which would be 8-9 months. He did not say whether the visa would definitely be granted and whilst I seriously doubt it wouldn't be granted we are still reluctant to book flights or quit jobs at this time.

I very much hope you are right about the 5-6 months as that would make our life a lot easier. If visa does not get granted until July that only gives us 3 months to organise the move.

Originally Posted by Pollyana

Try and do a copy of the front and the inside onto one sheet of paper - might need some fiddling but it keeps the "bits"of one card together. If you have an envelope do that too, just shows you were at the same address at the time.

Doesn't matter that the passport is in your maiden name, you'll presumably have a marriage certificate so thats fine.

Tip I try and give everyone - in recent years we have seen a lot of requests from DIAC for "further info"before they finally grant Spouse/de facto visas, so try not to send everything at once - give them a fair amount of evidence but keep some back, sort of in reserve, in case they ask!

Originally Posted by anneandjustin

Keep us all posted on whether it takes 8-9 months I will be applying in April and am very much hoping for the 5-6 month wait time!

Originally Posted by gregster10217

Can't tell you anything other than what the wife was told today by the embassy in London, 8-9 months, but likely to be processed sooner.

Originally Posted by anneandjustin

Hey Polly I have contacted the hospital in Ireland where they do visa medicals and they have told me they cannot do my medical until I get a letter from my CO. I have managed to organise things so I was going to go home for 2.5 weeks and lodge my application and come back to my job as they can hold it for that length. So obviously I cannot do that know, If I lodge my application there I wont really ahev the time to wait and get the okay for a medical.

"all partner visa medicals are done online using the e/health system. They are not done by paper. If you are going to do your medical by paper please bring in a letter from your agent stating that your agent requested you to do your medical for partner visa by paper. "

Originally Posted by anneandjustin

Hey Polly I have contacted the hospital in Ireland where they do visa medicals and they have told me they cannot do my medical until I get a letter from my CO. I have managed to organise things so I was going to go home for 2.5 weeks and lodge my application and come back to my job as they can hold it for that length. So obviously I cannot do that know, If I lodge my application there I wont really ahev the time to wait and get the okay for a medical.

"all partner visa medicals are done online using the e/health system. They are not done by paper. If you are going to do your medical by paper please bring in a letter from your agent stating that your agent requested you to do your medical for partner visa by paper. "

Originally Posted by jmm2905

The medical cannot be undertaken until your CO has issued you with a health assessment portal number. This number needs to be quoted when you call to book the medical.

Good luck with the application. It's well worth the wait in the end

Originally Posted by Pollyana

Does look like the system has changed in the last month or so, before that front loading was still possible.
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/heal...processing.htm

Originally Posted by jmm2905

Hi Pollyana

I applied in March 2012 and this was the case then. I tried to front load the health check but were advised by the panel doctor that this was not possible as they required the health assessment portal number before being able to book the health check.