[Wendy]

We submitted our application for residence 6 weeks ago; we have since been informed by Immigration that it may take up to 4 months for us to be allocated a case worker and up to a further 3 months after that before a decision is made as to whether we are offered residency. We are assuming that this is a standard letter issued to potential migrants and we were just wondering whether this is likely to be the timescale in practice or whether it might be quicker. Is it more likely to be nearer the 7 months or much sooner? We are trying to gauge the right time to sell our house.

Also, is it safe to assume that because we have been invited to apply for residence and because we have now submitted all evidence, clear police checks and medicals/x-ray's with no issues that subject to possibly being interviewed by Immigration, we WILL be granted residence?

Although our medicals were sealed when we collected them from the doctor, we are assuming that if there was a problem we would have been told at that stage, is this thought well founded?

[migratory birds]

Medical records don't need to be sent sealed (at least a year ago they didn't) - you could open them and have a look. I think it's reasonable to know how those forms have been filled out so you and your immigration officer are on the same page if there are any areas that've been overlooked.

Yes, it did take 7 mos for our application, once submitted, to be approved. We're in the US - timeline may be different if you're elsewhere.

No, you can't assume that because you've been invited to apply that your residency will be approved. But whether you decide to put the house on the market soon or wait is up to you. Seems some of us move ahead quickly "as if" all will go a planned and others take it a step at a time!

Welcome and good luck!

[kanatakiwi]

Hi Wendy, you dont say where you are applying from, but I notice in a previous post you were thinking of submitting from within NZ so that timeframe is not unreasonable. In Auckland the wait can be even longer, although I hear applications are being processed quite quickly in Wellington. also I think if there were any problems with your medicals you would have heard something about that by now. I had a problem with my Xrays and heard back very quickly from Immigration and we also managed to get it sorted very quickly, I found them quite helpful and understanding.

[R&A]

Hi Wendy,

I applied through the Partnership route so it is different and generally quicker. But with regards to the letter with timelines I think they send out a standard letter to all applicants. I was told to expect 12wks for my application to be allocated to a visa officer and for a final decision within the 2-3 months after that. I received my Approval in Principle just over a week ago and it was 6 wks to the day after sending in my application (from within UK).

Again, like I said this was through a different application route but from my experience and from what I've read the application timescales tend to vary widely and depend very much on individual circumstances. Don't expect the timescales stated in your letter to be set in stone.

Also , as a previous poster mentioned, the medicals do not need to be submitted sealed, I had a good rummage through mine and all was fine. I think the medicals required for Australian immigration need to remained sealed and as many doctors do both types of medical then there is some confusion about this. I would definitely open them and have a read, that way if there are any problems you can be prepared for it.

Good luck
Anna

[Andy-Dee]

Hi Wendy
We submitted ITA on the 26th October under the skilled migrant catagory from the UK. We were assigned a case worker in March and OH was interviewed on the 14th March - it took 30 minutes by phone - they requested a further document to support evidence already sent which we believed would slow things down, but we got our PR in the post on the Saturday (17th March). This was without a job offer.

Don't believe you should count on any guarantee's with the PR status regardless of what you think they might do - but wouldn't hurt to get the house on the market 4 months after the ITA has been submitted. That way if you get it great - you've an idea of the market and can sell / reduce price / switch agents etc. Or, you can withdraw from the market.

Other people will have other circumstances and may advise you differently - but thats how its worked for us.

Good Luck!

[Wendy]

Thanks for your messages. We shall just have to be patient and see - but it is so frustrating! We decided in the end to apply for residency whilst still in England and get a job, if successful, once we have moved. This was so that we didn't have to rush and take the first job which was offered. Both the girls have now accepted the move and are looking forward to it. We spent a month in New Zealand last November which they loved. So we will all keep our fingers and toes crossed.

Wendy

[CjChris]

My OH just gave me some great news. On the London Branch page under "tips for lodging applications and time scales" it says:

"for the week ending 20th April 2007 we are allocating files lodged up to and including 6th February 2007"

That's pretty exciting!!! This means that they've caught up tremendously since the last time I checked their progress. My application was lodged in March for skilled migrant category. I hope this means we'll hear something before mid-summer after all!

[Hesh]

Wendy,

The timeframe totally depends on the branch office you are applying to. I have applied to New Delhi branch and last week was informed that it will take about 6-8 weeks to assign a case officer and then the time for further processing but the crux of the matter is skilled migrant applications are processed quickly..

- mahesh

[aberdian]

Current times from ITA being sent to being allocated a Case Officer are running at 10 weeks, down from 16 weeks in October last year (I'm a scientist, I have a spreadsheet!). It seemed like a backlog was created Aug-Nov, and has slowly been cleared since, coinciding with the fact that there have been no EOIs selected since 25 Oct without either a job offer or extra points for work shortage (again I have a spreadsheet!). Coincidence or policy? It appears that people who fall into jobless-extrapointless category (me!) are only selected if the total number of others (the job offer plus extra points people) falls below the monthly running average of about 650. Or so my wee graph tells me :)

Our dates are

EOI Selected 13th Sep 06
ITA received 15th Nov 06 (8 weeks)
ITA Submitted 19th Dec 06
Case Officer 20th March (13 weeks)
Interview 2 weeks later

From the NZIS website, it looks like things are going a wee bit quicker at the mo.

Hope that helps, although I believe I may have terminally confused people with the 1st bit ;)

Ian

[CjChris]

Ian, I enjoy the fact that you are keeping track of things so closely. I'm sure you don't feel quite so much at the mercy of the seemingly "random" nature of this process when you can tell by your data that there actually is a pattern to how NZIS gets things done!

Christine