[lockstock]

Is this a normal part of the process? I seem to be finding it harder and harder to cope with the waiting. I've gone through the impatient phase when nothing was happening by booking tickets regardless still waiting for PR visas. I'm getting more than a bit fed up with the lack of communication despite a successful Q and A exchange of e-mails regarding change of address etc. Why do I now feel like saying ' If you don't give me a case officer soon I'm not going to apply any more, so there!' ? How illogical is that?

[Silverwing86]

Illogical perhaps, but perfectly understandable !

Would it help you to not expect it now ? Assuming you don't have a job offer, if you sent in your ITA on August 16th (as stated in your signature), according to the London Branch Skilled Migrant Processing Times page (http://www.immigration.govt.nz/branch/londonbranchhome/tipsandprocessingtimes/skilledmigrantprocessingtimes.htm), you would have a couple of weeks more to wait. At present it states:

"Once the pre-populated application form is returned to the London branch it should be allocated to a visa officer within four months. As an example, for the week ending 5th October 2007 we are allocating files lodged up to and including 25th July 2007."

As you can see from the difference between the two dates, the time is closer to 2 and 1/2 months rather than four, which is a lot better than when we'd submitted our ITA (March 2006). If I remember correctly, at that time the difference between the two dates was more than 6 months !! In the end we were allocated a Visa Officer more quickly than that though, so I guess what it says on the page is only an indication (perhaps worst case scenario ?).

Having been there myself I know it's easier said than done, but I did find that assuming it would take the maximum time stated on that page to be allocated a Case Officer (4 months) helped me not to expect it every day and thus it came sooner than expected !

I wish you much luck and Zen patience ;) !

Cheers,
Silver

[holland]

Lockstock.....I know it must be really stressful and frustrating for you at this time and I know it probably is a really crazy thing to say ( and please don't throw the computer when you read it!!!:laugh ), but are you taking out a little time for yourself at the moment? I know that probably seems ridiculous, but sometimes just a 5 minute walk on your own, is enough to just collect your thoughts.

I agree with Silver comments xxxxx
Keep your chin up

J xx

[Helsandfamily]

Don't Think I was mildly irritated at all by the wait Lockstock - multiply it by 10 and perhaps I'd agree!

It is a horrible time, everything is on hold and it feels so frustrating it's like you can't get on and do anything because this is going on in the background (or not going on in the background if you know what I mean!)

Good Luck I'm sure that it will happen soon, :yes

hels

[nefertiti]

Hey... Lockstock.... don't despair. I was getting frustrated as well. But Patience is a Virtue. You must understand that these people at the NZIS are really under pressure. They have to follow guidelines and do everything by the book. Look at me... My EOI was selected in July 2006. Got my ITA doc in Nov 2006. Submitted my ITA with all documentation in Feb 2007. There was a cat and mouse game as they wanted verification of my employment in another country which is not in their comparable labour market. I had just over 2 years work experience here in London which was not sufficient. I had to give in my work experience in Kenya which was a long winded process as they wanted to verify its reference. I was assigned my CO just after 4 months of submitting my ITA. The worse was getting my Police check from Kenya as I had travelled there in Dec 06 and didn't get it until Feb 07.

So finally after all that verification was done i.e. work (payslips, p45s), university degrees ( in my case 2 degrees, 1 from Oz and another from here in England, had to give them original testamurs/parchment and result slips) my CO contacted me saying that all work has been done and now due for an interview next week as I do not have a job offer. This all has taken exactly 32 weeks (8 month) since I submitted my ITA.

So I guess the only advice I can give you is patience. you must understand that Immigration dept. are just doing their job.

I hope this helps. Why don't search for jobs with agencies. Who knows if you strike is lucky, you may have an offer and submit this and maybe your application could be fast tracked !

Cheerios :o)

[lockstock]

Ah, the voices of reason. They should bottle this forum and sell it at Boots.

Thanks everyone:clap