457 timeline - UK to Aus

[CharleneBLiverpool]

Hi Everyone,

I am being sponsored on a 457 and my online status has just changed to "Application being processed further", I have not been asked for medicals or police checks and was wondering how long it will take from here?

My husband is also on the visa will this prolong it?

Thanks for your help!

[AUSSIEBOUND]

I am in same boat-wondering how long it will take as was lodged last week through agent...I think you don't need PCC for the 457 and medicals depends on your job and where you lived in past 5 years.... let me know if you hear anything!

[Curwen]

Might depend on region. I heard Perth are going faster, Sydney is Busy and Brisbane is backed up due to the flooding. Not sure on the others. I'm on the bottom of the Brissy pile.

You checked status again then CBL!!

[Corina]

Originally Posted by Curwen

Might depend on region. I heard Perth are going faster, Sydney is Busy and Brisbane is backed up due to the flooding. Not sure on the others. I'm on the bottom of the Brissy pile.

You checked status again then CBL!!

Does it depend where the head office is for your company? The office I am working in is Perth but their head office is Sydney.

I am going in to week 4 and mine still reads processing commenced.

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Expat Forum

[CharleneBLiverpool]

Hi Guys and Girls,

Status still "Further processing commenced" spoke to migrant agent who said not to pester the CO just yet as it's really busy in Sydney and I should hear something the next few weeks! A few other people in other forums are starting to receive there's now so fingers crossed guys,

I'll let you know as soon as I hear something

[Theupperchase]

Hi all. I thought I'd add to this forum chain as I've been taking an interest in how things are moving forward over the past couple of weeks.

I've nothing really new to add other than perhaps reassurance (reaffirmation).

My situation is 457 application and fee submitted 13/01/2011. I secured my job 1/12/2010. There was a slight delay in submitting my application due to sorting out medical insurance, which in my case is being provided as part of my package, coupled with the extended summer holiday break everyone takes in Oz.

Saying that I actually negotiated the role back in September having decided to take voluntary redundancy from my previous role in August. So it's been a rocky (and long) journey.

My application is thorugh E&Y in Sydney. I emailed them yesterday asking for an update having seen a lot written about early 2011 approval times and the variability/uncertainty in processing.

The consistent message at present appears to be approvals (for Syndey at least) are taking 4-6 weeks. This is supported by E&Y seeing approvals for late December coming through now, as appears to be the case for several 457 applicants on various forums.

So I'm expecting finalisation about the mid-20s of February at the latest. My application hasn't yet moved to the 'processing further' status, however once it does it should be a matter of days for finalisation; however I accpet that this may not be the case for everyone.

The reason as to why approvals are taking longer (according to E&Y) is the number and volume received by the Sydney office over Christmas coupled with their handling of the overspill from Brisbane, given the horrific floods they've had there which closed down their office!

I hope this helps. Although strangers on the forum we're all in the same boat. I understand (and live) the frustration on a daily basis, however when you're life is effectively on hold (and there's so much resting on it) you do get nervous!

Also my understanding is that if there's no medical or criminal 'risk' associated with your application then you'll not be asked any further questions. Medically there's no need for an x-ray from low-risk countries unless you personally present a medical risk or have been in a 'high-risk' country for more than 3 months in the past three years (as asked on the application form). Xrays were required until recently (last year) however the application process changed.

So fingers crossed and I'll post updates once I hear anything.