457visa processing time

Samson123 · #1 (**permalink**) 7th July 2008, 01:07 PM

Hi,everyone,this is the first time I am here!
Some questions puzzle me in 457 work visa application.Any help would be greatly appreciated!TKS.
Six months have passed since my sponsor paper-lodged the 457 visa application on my behalf. I lodged all the documents required and wasn't asked for any more since then. I experienced the telephone checks of my qualications in Feb which I think was a very good one.I haven't been informed to have the body check up till now.I have telephone call with my sponsor who is the authorised person to receive the communications several times and the answer is always wait,wait.I am sure he is as eager as I am ,but can do nothing but wait.it is unusual to wait for such a long time I know.Could anyone pls tell me what problem it may be? I should have got a result after Senator Evans said he has directed the department to allocate extra resources and work overtime to clear the backlog of 457 visa applications by June 30 .I wonder if there is still much backlog to be cleared or some other reasons as you know?

Another question: Does anyone know if there is the money for my sponsor to pay around $3000 to the immigration office ? or a agent?which is said to be my training fee after my arrival (I am a cook in China) or what is it? I do not find any information about this fee from the Immigration Department website.My sponsor paid the money two weeks ago.Is it a must to pay?What is it according to your experience? Does it mean that the visa will be granted soon? Look foward to your reply! Thanks for your time and attention.

veugelenw · #2 (**permalink**) 8th July 2008, 01:07 PM

Why don't you call the visa agency to ask about it?

kaz101 · #3 (**permalink**) 8th July 2008, 07:53 PM

Hi Samson123,

Welcome to the forum.

I don't have any personal experience of the 457 work visa but if you search through some of the posts you may find some of the answers.

I also think that there should be a case officer who you can contact and find out what the delay is.

Regards,
Karen

Tiffani · #4 (**permalink**) 9th July 2008, 02:17 AM

Hi,

We came from the US to Australia on a 457 visa and the entire process only took about 6-8 weeks. I would think six months would be well beyond the usual processing times for this visa, so you should follow up with the visa agent who is processing it because they tend to be in regular contact with the DIAC. They should be able to ask the DIAC what the hold-up is and then you'll know where to go from there.

good luck!

Samson123 · #5 (**permalink**) 9th July 2008, 04:51 AM

Tiffani :
I tried to contact my sponsor who did everything on my behalf.He has to wait as I do.I just want to know if there is anyone whose 457 visa come after over 6 months of application?

Tiffani · #6 (**permalink**) 9th July 2008, 04:54 AM

If you don't mind me asking, who is your sponsor? Is it a large company, university, non-profit, or a small business owner?

Byo · #7 (**permalink**) 10th July 2008, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samson123

Hi,everyone,this is the first time I am here!
Some questions puzzle me in 457 work visa application.Any help would be greatly appreciated!TKS.
Six months have passed since my sponsor paper-lodged the 457 visa application on my behalf. I lodged all the documents required and wasn't asked for any more since then. I experienced the telephone checks of my qualications in Feb which I think was a very good one.I haven't been informed to have the body check up till now.I have telephone call with my sponsor who is the authorised person to receive the communications several times and the answer is always wait,wait.I am sure he is as eager as I am ,but can do nothing but wait.it is unusual to wait for such a long time I know.Could anyone pls tell me what problem it may be? I should have got a result after Senator Evans said he has directed the department to allocate extra resources and work overtime to clear the backlog of 457 visa applications by June 30 .I wonder if there is still much backlog to be cleared or some other reasons as you know?

Another question: Does anyone know if there is the money for my sponsor to pay around $3000 to the immigration office ? or a agent?which is said to be my training fee after my arrival (I am a cook in China) or what is it? I do not find any information about this fee from the Immigration Department website.My sponsor paid the money two weeks ago.Is it a must to pay?What is it according to your experience? Does it mean that the visa will be granted soon? Look foward to your reply! Thanks for your time and attention.

I think you are being misled. A 457 visa only takes 6-8 weeks, it shouldn't take longer than that. And your sponser is usually the one to pay not you. My husband recently changed jobs and it took six weeks to get the visa. Companies usually go through immigration agents so you need to find out who they are and get in touch with them. But if I was you I wouldn't hand over any more money.
GOod luck

Samson123 · #8 (**permalink**) 10th July 2008, 10:23 AM

Byo:I do not pay the money,but my sponsor.Things are quite different in China .It is usual many cases are finalized in 3-4months,seldom in 6 as I know.

Tiffani:my sponsor is a small business owner.Does that make any difference?

Tiffani · #9 (**permalink**) 10th July 2008, 10:32 AM

I don't know if it does or not, but usually large companies and universities use immigration attorneys, whereas a small business owner may not want to go through the expense, but thus may be more likely to make mistakes because it's not so common for him/her.

I wonder if this is what happened in your case? it sounds like someone is not telling you something, though, and in my experience with the DIAC (via my immigration attorney) they are pretty responsive to questions about the status of the visa. For instance, our official doctor sent the medical exams in a very slow way instead of using FEDEX or UPS, so it took several weeks before the DIAC received them. however, the immigration attorney always kept us updated when we emailed her and said "they are still waiting for the medicals" and when they were received she emailed to let us know the DIAC had them. So I don't think the DIAC would withhold information about your status purposely. If there's a backlog, I certainly don't know about it.

I would question your sponsor once more; I'm not sure he/she is being 100% forthcoming. Perhaps an error was made from his end and he's trying to fix it without telling you. Who knows?

For sure don't give him any money!

Byo · #10 (**permalink**) 10th July 2008, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samson123

Byo:I do not pay the money,but my sponsor.Things are quite different in China .It is usual many cases are finalized in 3-4months,seldom in 6 as I know.

Tiffani:my sponsor is a small business owner.Does that make any difference?

I doesn't matter what country you are living in, you visa is done through Austalian Immigration and there guidelines state 6/8 weeks. Thank goodness you haven't paid any money for it.