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Partner Visa (309/100) Timeline from India- Australian High Commission New Delhi

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Becky26
Hey Everyone!

Hope everyone is doing well.

Thought its about time to start a thread for applicants of partner (309/100) visa from India. There have been quite a new members from India who have been looking for answers to the very frequently asked questions.

Following is application processing/procedure 101:-
1:- Once VFS delivers the applications to the AHC New Delhi, AHC takes a couple of days to put the applications in some sort of sequence. Then they start sending Acknowledgement Letters of the applications to the applicants.

2. When medicals are requested, book an appointment with your nearest Panel Doctor (usually they will be able to book you in 2 days from the day you call). Below is the link from DIBP website which has a list of Panel Doctors in India:-
India

The 'Medical Request' letter sent by AHC will have your HAP ID which is linked to your passport.
The applicant must log-on to the 'eMedical' portal to generate their "REFERRAL LETTER". The link to the eMedical portal:-
https://www.emedical.immi.gov.au/eMedUI/eMedicalClient
You need to fill out the details requested by the page and click on "LOGON"
The system will generate you the above mentioned referral letter. This is important as it facilitates in tracking the processing of the medical reports online.
Below are the documents you need to carry with you on the day of appointment (also check the document requirement from the medical center you will be visiting):-
1. Original valid passport (and a photo copy);
2. AHC's Medical Request Letter;
3. eMedical Referral Letter;
4. 4 latest passport size photos;
5. Form 26 and Form 160 is provided by the medical center. (you can fill it out in advance and carry it with you, if you prefer);
6. Medical Examination Fees (varies from center to center)

Cases with no complications get submitted to the DIBP within 5-10 working days, the applicant can logon to the eMedical portal and this time the system will generate a PDF titled "INFORMATION SHEET" which will have the date on which the applicant's reports were submitted to the DIBP. The PDF will read as follows:-
"Health Case Status
This health case was submitted to DIBP on DD MONTH YYYY."

3. The best time to apply for a visitor visa to Australia is right after you submit your partner visa application. As per the AHC New Delhi website, the current processing time frame for visitor visa is 15-20 working days and 1 month as per DIBP global service standard.

4. If you plan to stay offshore, better get a hobby or find something to do that will keep you occupied for at least 9 months since date of application or you will lose your mind waiting for the visa.
As per current update, AHC New Delhi is taking 35-36 weeks since date of application to allocate case officers to the applications. Below is the link with the processing time frames:-
CURRENT AVERAGE PROCESSING TIMES - Australian High Commission
AHC has started allocating case officers to January 2014 applications.

As online partner applications were opened to the offshore applicants on December 9, 2013 the whole process is a ginormous MYSTERY :confused::confused:
*** Offshore online applicants please share your experiences with us. Thanks! :)

- The case officer allocation time frame when I applied in July 2013 was 10-12 weeks since application. I got my case officer at 27 weeks since application. RIDICULOUS!! increase in processing time frames.

5. You should be hearing from AHC either you are nearing the 35-36 weeks since date of application (250 days at least) period or have completed it.
Now a days the case officers call almost all the applicants to either introduce themselves to the applicants, for a brief phone interview and/or request additional documents so GLUE YOUR PHONES TO YOU BUTTS!!:p:p
They can also contact the applicants via email, depends on the case officer, what they prefer. Sometimes the case officers call the applicants and request the applicant additional documents but forget to provide their email address. The format for the case officer's email for AHC New Delhi is as follows:
[email protected]
***We should cut them some slack as there are 20 case officer working in AHC New Delhi right now.
FOR VISITOR VISA HOLDERS:- This is the time when you PACK YOUR BAGS AND RUN!!!! Leave Australia ASAP!! Many applications (with no complications) get sent to the final queue on the same day the case officer is allocated.
Sometimes AHC will wait for the applicant to get offshore to send the file to the final queue.

6. If you are requested to submit additional documents, it could be either via email, courier/post or sometimes both, again depends on your case officer.
Many applicants ask how to address the envelopes. Below is the format I use:-
Australian High Commission
Name of the Case Officer:-
Position of the Case Officer:- 12345678
1/50 G Shantipath,
Chanakyapuri,
New Delhi 110021
Telephone: +91-11-4139 9900

7. A new rule that has been implemented relating to Indian PCC is that the Passport Seva Kendras (PSK) will now be asking for the case officer's request letter requesting the PCC before they issue one. I'm not sure if this rule has been implemented in each and every PSK in India. It's a very new rule.
I have attached the format of the PCC issued by the PSK.

8. Another major hurdle that many applicants face is that of adding the name of their spouse in their passport(s).
Many PSK don't require the applicants to go for the passport re-issue but some do. In that case the applicant must get their passport re-issued before they apply for a PCC. The PSK won't issue you the PCC unless you get your passport updated.

*** I'm in the middle of the passport re-issue process (adding spouse's name and changing residential address)
Different PSKs follow slightly different rules so you must contact your PSK to get the updated information.

9. Once all the additional documents are submitted to the AHC, your case officer will assess/study them and if everything looks genuine enough and is satisfied, he/she will forward the application for final decision aka final queue aka final assessment.
You case officer will inform via email which goes along the lines of "initial assessment is completed in your application and your application has now been forwarded for final decision".
As per AHC's current trend, they are taking between 35-55 days to approve the visa since the date the file was sent to the final queue (subject to change depending on the volume of applications in hand).
FOR VISITOR VISA HOLDERS:- If you are still onshore, now is the latest you can get offshore to avoid any delays. If you wait for AHC's notification email to notify you to get offshore, you're in for an additional 2-3 months of agonizing wait.

The above happens when the application in the final queue gets to the top of the queue and the applicant is onshore, AHC will notify the applicant and put the file at the bottom of the final queue.
This is for AHC New Delhi:- the applicant is not granted the visa as soon as they get offshore, they will have to wait for the whole 35-55 days (sometimes even longer) for their file to get to the front of the queue AGAIN!

10. If the applicant is offshore, the SCO will finish he final assessment on your file, if everything goes well, he/she will straightaway approve your visa :D:D END OF THIS MISERABLE PROCESS!!! You can now go and have a well deserved good night's sleep after 7-8 months of torture, PHEWWW!!!!

AHC New Delhi's indicative processing time frame is 8-10 months and majority of cases (with no complications) are approved within the above time frame; which I think is much better compared to other high risk countries..

Another very common questions is:- Can we request AHC to change the initial entry date?
Answer:- No!! Once the visa is granted, it is impossible to get the initial entry date changed.
The initial entry date is expiry date of either the PCC or the medicals whichever expire first.
Both PCC and medicals are valid for 12 months from the date of issue.

I think I've covered almost everything there is to know about this process for applications lodged in India.
Please feel free to mention anything that I might've missed. Thanks!! :D

I've been a member of this thread for over a year now and have learnt so much. Thanks to our kind seniors, CollegeGirl, Mark Northam, louiseb, Mish are some of the people whose names I can remember and have ALWAYS! provided invaluable advice and suggestions. A Big Thanks to you and many others whose names I've forgotten :p:p

Please also include your application details in your post. thanks :D
Hope this helps! Good Luck to everyone waiting.
Have a relaxing weekend.

Kind Regards,
Becky

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Wonderful!

Becky26 said:
Hey Everyone!

Hope everyone is doing well.

Thought its about time to start a thread for applicants of partner (309/100) visa from India. There have been quite a new members from India who have been looking for answers to the very frequently asked questions.

Following is application processing/procedure 101:-
1:- Once VFS delivers the applications to the AHC New Delhi, AHC takes a couple of days to put the applications in some sort of sequence. Then they start sending Acknowledgement Letters of the applications to the applicants.

2. When medicals are requested, book an appointment with your nearest Panel Doctor (usually they will be able to book you in 2 days from the day you call). Below is the link from DIBP website which has a list of Panel Doctors in India:-
India

The 'Medical Request' letter sent by AHC will have your HAP ID which is linked to your passport.
The applicant must log-on to the 'eMedical' portal to generate their "REFERRAL LETTER". The link to the eMedical portal:-
https://www.emedical.immi.gov.au/eMedUI/eMedicalClient
You need to fill out the details requested by the page and click on "LOGON"
The system will generate you the above mentioned referral letter. This is important as it facilitates in tracking the processing of the medical reports online.
Below are the documents you need to carry with you on the day of appointment (also check the document requirement from the medical center you will be visiting):-
1. Original valid passport (and a photo copy);
2. AHC's Medical Request Letter;
3. eMedical Referral Letter;
4. 4 latest passport size photos;
5. Form 26 and Form 160 is provided by the medical center. (you can fill it out in advance and carry it with you, if you prefer);
6. Medical Examination Fees (varies from center to center)

Cases with no complications get submitted to the DIBP within 5-10 working days, the applicant can logon to the eMedical portal and this time the system will generate a PDF titled "INFORMATION SHEET" which will have the date on which the applicant's reports were submitted to the DIBP. The PDF will read as follows:-
"Health Case Status
This health case was submitted to DIBP on DD MONTH YYYY."

3. The best time to apply for a visitor visa to Australia is right after you submit your partner visa application. As per the AHC New Delhi website, the current processing time frame for visitor visa is 15-20 working days and 1 month as per DIBP global service standard.

4. If you plan to stay offshore, better get a hobby or find something to do that will keep you occupied for at least 6-7 months since date of application or you will lose your mind waiting for the visa.
As per current update, AHC New Delhi is taking 30-31 weeks since date of application to allocate case officers to the applications. Below is the link with the processing time frames:-
CURRENT AVERAGE PROCESSING TIMES - Australian High Commission
AHC has started allocating case officers to January 2014 applications.

As online partner applications were opened to the offshore applicants on December 9, 2013 the whole process is a ginormous MYSTERY :confused::confused: I have not come across any offshore online application that is being processed.
*** Offshore online applicants please share your experiences with us. Thanks! :)

- The case officer allocation time frame when I applied in July 2013 was 10-12 weeks since application. I got my case officer at 27 weeks since application. RIDICULOUS!! increase in processing time frames.

5. You should be hearing from AHC either you are nearing the 30-31 weeks since date of application (210-217 days) period or have completed it.
Now a days the case officers call almost all the applicants to either introduce themselves to the applicants, for a brief phone interview and/or request additional documents so GLUE YOUR PHONES TO YOU BUTTS!!:p:p
They can also contact the applicants via email, depends on the case officer, what they prefer. Sometimes the case officers call the applicants and request the applicant additional documents but forget to provide their email address. The format for the case officer's email for AHC New Delhi is as follows:
[email protected]
***We should cut them some slack as there are 20 case officer working in AHC New Delhi right now.
FOR VISITOR VISA HOLDERS:- This is the time when you PACK YOUR BAGS AND RUN!!!! Leave Australia ASAP!! Many applications (with no complications) get sent to the final queue on the same day the case officer is allocated.
Sometimes AHC will wait for the applicant to get offshore to send the file to the final queue.

6. If you are requested to submit additional documents, it could be either via email, courier/post or sometimes both, again depends on your case officer.
Many applicants ask how to address the envelopes. Below is the format I use:-
Australian High Commission
Name of the Case Officer:-
Position of the Case Officer:- 12345678
1/50 G Shantipath,
Chanakyapuri,
New Delhi 110021
Telephone: +91-11-4139 9900

7. A new rule that has been implemented relating to Indian PCC is that the Passport Seva Kendras (PSK) will now be asking for the case officer's request letter requesting Indian PCC before they issue one. I'm not sure if this rule has been implemented in each and every PSK in India. It is a very new rule.
I have attached the format of the Indian PCC issued by the PSK.

8. Another major hurdle that many applicants face is that of adding the name of their spouse in their passport(s).
Many PSK don't require the applicants to go for the passport re-issue but some do. In that case the applicant must get their passport re-issued before they apply for a PCC. The PSK won't issue you the PCC unless you get your passport updated.

*** I'm in the middle of the passport re-issue process (adding spouse's name and changing residential address)
Different PSKs follow slightly different rules so you must contact your PSK to get the updated information.

9. Once all the additional documents are submitted to the AHC, your case officer will assess/study them and if everything looks genuine enough and is satisfied, he/she will forward the application for final decision aka final queue aka final assessment.
You case officer will inform via email which goes along the lines of "initial assessment is completed in your application and your application has now been forwarded for final decision".
As per AHC's current trend, they are taking between 30-60 days to approve the visa since the date the file was sent to the final queue (subject to change depending on the volume of applications in hand).
FOR VISITOR VISA HOLDERS:- If you are still onshore, now is the latest you can get offshore to avoid any delays.
Kind Regards,
Becky
Click to expand...
Hello Becky,

What a wonderful information!!!!!

I can tell everybody that all the information provided by Becky applies to all AHCs in all countries, regardless of the level of Risk the country is EXCEPT THE TIME FRAME( Nairobi-12 months).

There can be some little difference. I would urge those applying now or already applied to read keenly these valuable information.

I also expect the same procedures, compare what others who applied in Nairobi told me before. The information and steps are just one and the same. I am on the first step, As I have only received the acknowledgement letter, with my file number and the COs name and email address. I included my Police Check with the application, only that as advised me by my immi agent. I will make use of your information, Becky.:)

I am happy to have pple like Becky and CG and of course Mark Northman- a Famous Immi Agent.

I appreciate your tireless support for all applicants.

Good luck everybody:):):):):):)
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CollegeGirl
I'm going to link this in the "Partner Visa Wait Times & Resources" thread for New Delhi, Becky. SUCH A GREAT post! Thank you! :)
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Becky26
Case Officer Allocation Time Frame

Hassali.abdi said:
Hello Becky,

What a wonderful information!!!!!

I can tell everybody that all the information provided by Becky applies to all AHCs in all countries, regardless of the level of Risk the country is EXCEPT THE TIME FRAME( Nairobi-12 months).

There can be some little difference. I would urge those applying now or already applied to read keenly these valuable information.

I also expect the same procedures, compare what others who applied in Nairobi told me before. The information and steps are just one and the same. I am on the first step, As I have only received the acknowledgement letter, with my file number and the COs name and email address. I included my Police Check with the application, only that as advised me by my immi agent. I will make use of your information, Becky.:)

I am happy to have pple like Becky and CG and of course Mark Northman- a Famous Immi Agent.

I appreciate your tireless support for all applicants.

Good luck everybody:):):):):):)
Click to expand...
Hey Hassan,

Thank you for your words of encouragement and appreciation. I hope you get your visa soon. You are in my prayers :D:D

I forgot to clarify one thing in my post:- The person who sends the applicants the Acknowledgement Letter and/or the request for medicals is unfortunately not the case officer.

I'm not sure about other AHCs , but a 100 percent positive about AHC New Delhi. Many applicants get contacted by AHC between 1-8 weeks of application, the Acknowledgement Letter will also have the name of the officer who works in AHC as a case officer but he/she ISN'T YOUR case officer, so don't get too excited.

I learnt this the hard way, I got my Acknowledgement Letter (with an officer's name and her position number at the bottom) and medical request within 2 days of application and was literally dancing around with pom-poms, thinking that I was going to be getting my visa very soon.
Little did I know!! that she wasn't my case officer and I had to wait for over 27 weeks to get an actual case officer, HELL froze on me and it still hasn't unfrozen till now...LOL Been over 12 months since application and no sign of visa.

Under NO circumstance will AHC allocate case officer to an application before 30-31 weeks since date of application.

Hope this helps. Good Luck!!
Have a great weekend Hassan!

Kind Regards,
Becky
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Becky26
Thank You!!

CollegeGirl said:
I'm going to link this in the "Partner Visa Wait Times & Resources" thread for New Delhi, Becky. SUCH A GREAT post! Thank you! :)
Click to expand...
Thanks for your appreciation CG!! I tried to put together as much as I could. I had to edit the post cause there was a restriction of number of characters in a post, mine was well over 10000 :p:p:p:p

Thanks for your help! Have a fun weekend.

Kind Regards,
Becky
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Becky26 said:
Hey Hassan,

Thank you for your words of encouragement and appreciation. I hope you get your visa soon. You are in my prayers :D:D

I forgot to clarify one thing in my post:- The person who sends the applicants the Acknowledgement Letter and/or the request for medicals is unfortunately not the case officer.

I'm not sure about other AHCs , but a 100 percent positive about AHC New Delhi. Many applicants get contacted by AHC between 1-8 weeks of application, the Acknowledgement Letter will also have the name of the officer who works in AHC as a case officer but he/she ISN'T YOUR case officer, so don't get too excited.

I learnt this the hard way, I got my Acknowledgement Letter (with an officer's name and her position number at the bottom) and medical request within 2 days of application and was literally dancing around with pom-poms, thinking that I was going to be getting my visa very soon.
Little did I know!! that she wasn't my case officer and I had to wait for over 27 weeks to get an actual case officer, HELL froze on me and it still hasn't unfrozen till now...LOL Been over 12 months since application and no sign of visa.

Under NO circumstance will AHC allocate case officer to an application before 30-31 weeks since date of application.

Hope this helps. Good Luck!!
Have a great weekend Hassan!

Kind Regards,
Becky
Click to expand...
Happy weekend to you Becky,

You know, I celebrated very early than required. I read many posts on this forum, saying that CO was assigned minimum 25 weeks from the date of lodgment. I never knew that the person sending the acknowledgement letter is not the exact CO.

The person's address was like this
First name, last Name
Visa Processing Officer
Email: [email protected]
Position number: 123456789
Australia High Commission
Nairobi, Kenya.

My application was sent from Australia through post by My immi agent addressed to the Australia high Commission, Nairobi. They have received on 15th July 2014, then this VPO has sent on 16th July two letters to my agent , 1-acknowledgement letter, 2- Request for Bio-metric data letter

In the later, the person was saying "I" to refer herself(female) request you to provided bio metric data within 14 days at Australia Visa Application Center in Nairobi".

I Provided my Biometric data on 22nd July. I have heard since then from them.

A friend of mine who is currently in QLd, has applied at AHC, Nairobi, in 2011. within the first week, he was called, interviewed given the medical forms and was told during the interview that the lady was her case officer.

Because of all the above circumstances, I thought that the sender was my CO.That is my fault, What a poor applicant I am!:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

This clarification in fact was desperately needed by me and even others who will celebrate early for nothing.

Thanks Becky, I appreciate this
Lovely weekend to you.
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Hassali.abdi said:
Happy weekend to you Becky,

You know, I celebrated very early than required. I read many posts on this forum, saying that CO was assigned minimum 25 weeks from the date of lodgment. I never knew that the person sending the acknowledgement letter is not the exact CO.

The person's address was like this
First name, last Name
Visa Processing Officer
Email: [email protected]
Position number: 123456789
Australia High Commission
Nairobi, Kenya.

My application was sent from Australia through post by My immi agent addressed to the Australia high Commission, Nairobi. They have received on 15th July 2014, then this VPO has sent on 16th July two letters to my agent , 1-acknowledgement letter, 2- Request for Bio-metric data letter

In the later, the person was saying "I" to refer herself(female) request you to provided bio metric data within 14 days at Australia Visa Application Center in Nairobi".

I Provided my Biometric data on 22nd July. I have heard since then from them.

A friend of mine who is currently in QLd, has applied at AHC, Nairobi, in 2011. within the first week, he was called, interviewed given the medical forms and was told during the interview that the lady was her case officer.

Because of all the above circumstances, I thought that the sender was my CO.That is my fault, What a poor applicant I am!:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

This clarification in fact was desperately needed by me and even others who will celebrate early for nothing.

Thanks Becky, I appreciate this
Lovely weekend to you.
Click to expand...
They could be your co. Every embassy works differently. Becky and you both applied at different embassy's so different ways things are done.

My husband applied in Cairo where the person who emails the acknowledgement letter is your case officer.

One thing to remember too about Kenya is that from what we have seen on this forum the wait is around 18 months due to the wait on security checks.

Just remember what happened in 2011 may not be how do they things in 2014.
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Mish said:
They could be your co. Every embassy works differently. Becky and you both applied at different embassy's so different ways things are done.

My husband applied in Cairo where the person who emails the acknowledgement letter is your case officer.

One thing to remember too about Kenya is that from what we have seen on this forum the wait is around 18 months due to the wait on security checks.

Just remember what happened in 2011 may not be how do they things in 2014.
Click to expand...
Dear Mish,

Thanks for this. My Police Clearance Certificate was submitted with the application. It is medical clearance that have not been done yet. Unlike other places, where applicants submite the Medical clearnce with the application, here you cannot do that, you wait for the AHC to tell you to do so.

On the other hand, the applications they are handling at AHC, Nairobi are too much, this was the fact that humanitarian visas given out are very huge here due to presence of four (4) large refugee camps in the country. Kenya hosts the largest number of refugees in the world.

Despite these, in 2013, I know an applicant who was give his partner visa withing 9 months.

Have a good weekend Mish
Hassan
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Becky26
Ooops!

Becky26 said:
Hey Hassan,

I'm not sure about other AHCs , but a 100 percent positive about AHC New Delhi. Many applicants get contacted by AHC between 1-8 weeks of application, the Acknowledgement Letter will also have the name of the officer who works in AHC as a case officer but he/she ISN'T YOUR case officer, so don't get too excited.
Click to expand...
Hassali.abdi said:
Happy weekend to you Becky,

You know, I celebrated very early than required. I read many posts on this forum, saying that CO was assigned minimum 25 weeks from the date of lodgment. I never knew that the person sending the acknowledgement letter is not the exact CO.

The person's address was like this
First name, last Name
Visa Processing Officer
Email: [email protected]
Position number: 123456789
Australia High Commission
Nairobi, Kenya.

My application was sent from Australia through post by My immi agent addressed to the Australia high Commission, Nairobi. They have received on 15th July 2014, then this VPO has sent on 16th July two letters to my agent , 1-acknowledgement letter, 2- Request for Bio-metric data letter

In the later, the person was saying "I" to refer herself(female) request you to provided bio metric data within 14 days at Australia Visa Application Center in Nairobi".

I Provided my Biometric data on 22nd July. I have heard since then from them.

A friend of mine who is currently in QLd, has applied at AHC, Nairobi, in 2011. within the first week, he was called, interviewed given the medical forms and was told during the interview that the lady was her case officer.

Because of all the above circumstances, I thought that the sender was my CO.That is my fault, What a poor applicant I am!:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

This clarification in fact was desperately needed by me and even others who will celebrate early for nothing.

Thanks Becky, I appreciate this
Lovely weekend to you.
Click to expand...
Heeey!! :D

I don't think you should stress yourself out just yet. Things could be different for the AHC where you applied.
My post was mainly addressing to applicants who have applied for the visa to the AHC New Delhi. Apologies if I freaked your out :(:( Wasn't my intention.

You can definitely contact your AHC to find out how the files are processed. I hope you won't have to wait for as long as I had to wait for a case officer.

Things have changed a lot in a matter of 3-4 years. Offshore partner visas of applicants from India used to get approved in roughly 4-6 months maximum 7. And the current time frame is average 8-9 months and the ones that have complications in their files should stopping thinking about their visa as it WILL be taking 12 months for sure or maybe even longer depending how proactive the case officer is or how busy the AHC is.

Hope this helps. Apologize again.
Good Luck!! Have a nice weekend! :D

Kind Regards,
Becky
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Becky26
Thank You!!

Mish said:
They could be your co. Every embassy works differently. Becky and you both applied at different embassy's so different ways things are done.

My husband applied in Cairo where the person who emails the acknowledgement letter is your case officer.

One thing to remember too about Kenya is that from what we have seen on this forum the wait is around 18 months due to the wait on security checks.

Just remember what happened in 2011 may not be how do they things in 2014.
Click to expand...
That's correct!! Should've been more clear or maybe highlighted my post that I was mainly addressing the applicants who have applied to the AHC New Delhi :p:p:p:p

Thanks for clearing out the confusing Mish! Appreciate you valuable comments :D:D
Have a good one!

Kind Regards,
Becky
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Becky26 said:
Hey Hassan,

Thank you for your words of encouragement and appreciation. I hope you get your visa soon. You are in my prayers :D:D

I forgot to clarify one thing in my post:- The person who sends the applicants the Acknowledgement Letter and/or the request for medicals is unfortunately not the case officer.

I'm not sure about other AHCs , but a 100 percent positive about AHC New Delhi. Many applicants get contacted by AHC between 1-8 weeks of application, the Acknowledgement Letter will also have the name of the officer who works in AHC as a case officer but he/she ISN'T YOUR case officer, so don't get too excited.

I learnt this the hard way, I got my Acknowledgement Letter (with an officer's name and her position number at the bottom) and medical request within 2 days of application and was literally dancing around with pom-poms, thinking that I was going to be getting my visa very soon.
Little did I know!! that she wasn't my case officer and I had to wait for over 27 weeks to get an actual case officer, HELL froze on me and it still hasn't unfrozen till now...LOL Been over 12 months since application and no sign of visa.

Under NO circumstance will AHC allocate case officer to an application before 30-31 weeks since date of application.

Hope this helps. Good Luck!!
Have a great weekend Hassan!

Kind Regards,
Becky
Click to expand...
Dear Becky,

Your Visa is IMMINENT, I for see things sometimes. Based on the time you covered, and what my mind is telling, says that Becky will be posting from Australia very soon:cool::cool:

Never cut the tie with us.

Good luck and I pray for your visa to be granted withing the next 60 days if not less.

Best regards
Hassan
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Becky26
Thank You!!

Hassali.abdi said:
Dear Becky,

Your Visa is IMMINENT, I for see things sometimes. Based on the time you covered, and what my mind is telling, says that Becky will be posting from Australia very soon:cool::cool:

Never cut the tie with us.

Good luck and I pray for your visa to be granted withing the next 60 days if not less.

Best regards
Hassan
Click to expand...
AMEN!!! to that Hassan! We've got all our fingers and toes crossed for the visa. It's just a matter of time. Right now I'm waiting for my passport to get updated (add my husband's name and update my address), which in itself is a gargantuan task. YES! Indian passports have a "Name of Spouse" and "Residential Address" column in them which causes so much drama when applying for visa :rolleyes::rolleyes:
I mean address is such an unnecessary column in a passport :mad::mad:

I had to get my perfectly fine passport cancelled due to this crap rule. Without it, the passport office won't issue me a new PCC. That's why I had to give up my passport which would've been valid for another 7 years :(:(

Worst are the government authorities here that make this process more cumbersome than it actually is or it needs to be.

ANYWAYS!! ;)
I will surely be on the forum to help and share my experiences. Thank you so much for your prayers and encouraging words. I hope for the same for you too! that you get the subclass 100 straightaway without having to wait for 2 years on the subclass 309 :D:D
Good Luck!!

Kind Regards,
Becky
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H
Visa Label free

Becky26 said:
AMEN!!! to that Hassan! We've got all our fingers and toes crossed for the visa. It's just a matter of time. Right now I'm waiting for my passport to get updated (add my husband's name and update my address), which in itself is a gargantuan task. YES! Indian passports have a "Name of Spouse" and "Residential Address" column in them which causes so much drama when applying for visa :rolleyes::rolleyes:
I mean address is such an unnecessary column in a passport :mad::mad:

I had to get my perfectly fine passport cancelled due to this crap rule. Without it, the passport office won't issue me a new PCC. That's why I had to give up my passport which would've been valid for another 7 years :(:(

Worst are the government authorities here that make this process more cumbersome than it actually is or it needs to be.

ANYWAYS!! ;)
I will surely be on the forum to help and share my experiences. Thank you so much for your prayers and encouraging words. I hope for the same for you too! that you get the subclass 100 straightaway without having to wait for 2 years on the subclass 309 :D:D
Good Luck!!

Kind Regards,
Becky
Click to expand...
Hi Becky,

Why is the Indian passport has those details?
Kenyan passports do not have things like that. Your names, date of births, place of births, date of issue, expiry date, issuing authority on those details.
Even the marital status is not there.

Visa label free!

I want to bring in another issue. That is VISA LABEL FREE language which is currently in the system is a bit unclear to me. The AHC in Nairobi says that any visa applicant does not need visa to labeled in their passports. The visa is electronically linked to the passport and stored in the system. Governments, Airline staffs and organizations in Australia have access to the visa and can confirm the kind of visa a person has and its validity.

Anybody with those information in detail?

From your situation Becky, if your current passport has been already scanned by the AHC, and they have the photocopy of it, don't you think that they might have already linked your current passport with the visa that is going to be granted to you? If so, did you informed the AHC that you are changing your previous passport and expecting a new updated one?

Sorry If am out of topic but I felt to share this with you guys.

Good luck all!!!!!
Hassan
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Hassali.abdi said:
Hi Becky,

Why is the Indian passport has those details?
Kenyan passports do not have things like that. Your names, date of births, place of births, date of issue, expiry date, issuing authority on those details.
Even the marital status is not there.
Click to expand...
Hey Hassan,

We even have the name of parents at the back page of our passports. From what I understand passports should have the details that CANNOT be changed under normal or any circumstance. Things that you mentioned in your post should be the only things that should appear.

I guess that's how our government make money. Every time someone moves to a new house, or gets divorced (which in today's society is very common) the passport holder MUST apply for a re-issue and pay the fees and wait for 2-3 months for their passport or even longer sometimes. Absolute BS!!
There is nothing we can do about it :(:(:(:(

Hassali.abdi said:
Visa label free!

I want to bring in another issue. That is VISA LABEL FREE language which is currently in the system is a bit unclear to me. The AHC in Nairobi says that any visa applicant does not need visa to labeled in their passports. The visa is electronically linked to the passport and stored in the system. Governments, Airline staffs and organizations in Australia have access to the visa and can confirm the kind of visa a person has and its validity.

Anybody with those information in detail?
Click to expand...
I can't really remember when, but it's been a while since Australia implemented the label-free visa. Although the visa will be linked to our passport, the visa holder MUST carry a printed copy of their visa grant letter with them when travelling. Sometime the airlines do request to see the visa letter and also the immigration counter of your country's airport could also request it.
When I moved to Australia for the first time in 2008 on a student visa, I didn't have a visa label. The immigration authorities at the New Delhi International Airport looked at me weird when they didn't find the label in my passport and gave me a "are you crazy, where is your visa" look. I thought that they would be up-to-date with such information, I later upon their requested handed over my grant letter to the officer. There was no drama whatsoever. They just looked confused....LOL

Once you arrive in Australia, the officers at the immigration counters know what to do, they are very welcoming and polite, you just have to hand over your passport to them and they do what they need to do, take the airline declaration slip that each passenger needs to fill out before landing and declare if they have anything that needs to be declared to the customs/quarantine (forgot what it's called:p:p:p:p) and stamp your passport upon "arrival". Not sure if they still stamp the passport upon arrival.

Hassali.abdi said:
From your situation Becky, if your current passport has been already scanned by the AHC, and they have the photocopy of it, don't you think that they might have already linked your current passport with the visa that is going to be granted to you? If so, did you informed the AHC that you are changing your previous passport and expecting a new updated one?

Sorry If am out of topic but I felt to share this with you guys.

Good luck all!!!!!
Hassan
Click to expand...
Yes!! I have informed my case officer, she is holding back my file until I provide a new Indian PCC, which I'll be able to apply for only after I get my re-issued passport. Once I send her my new PCC, hopefully then she will forward my file to the final queue.

So my passport application is causing my visa to delay, it's all connected and so I can't take a short cut :(:(:(:( Just have to sit and WAIT!!! I hate waiting...been waiting since December 2012 for this visa.

Hope this helps. Good Luck!!

Kind Regards,
Becky
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Becky26 said:
As online partner applications were opened to the offshore applicants on December 9, 2013 the whole process is a ginormous MYSTERY :confused::confused: I have not come across any offshore online application that is being processed.
*** Offshore online applicants please share your experiences with us. Thanks! :)

7. A new rule that has been implemented relating to Indian PCC is that the Passport Seva Kendras (PSK) will now be asking for the case officer's request letter requesting Indian PCC before they issue one. I'm not sure if this rule has been implemented in each and every PSK in India. It is a very new rule.
I have attached the format of the Indian PCC issued by the PSK.

8. Another major hurdle that many applicants face is that of adding the name of their spouse in their passport(s).
Many PSK don't require the applicants to go for the passport re-issue but some do. In that case the applicant must get their passport re-issued before they apply for a PCC. The PSK won't issue you the PCC unless you get your passport updated.
Click to expand...
Hi Becky,

Thanks for sharing this valuable information :)

1. Online applications : I have heard some applicants getting direct visa grants emails itself (assuming no complications in the application) and some do get contacted by the Case officers. As for offshore application, I am also waiting for a CO to be allocated for my wife's application. I hope the AHC, New Delhi has sufficient staff and trained people to look at online applications as per their date of lodgement. Paper or Online, every application must be given equal attention to be fair on everyone :eek:

2. From what I have read from other people's experience, the employees at the PSK may ask for the 'proof' of visa lodgement e.g. Acknowledgement etc. The rule you mentioned above, is that happening at the PSK you applied under or most PSK in New Delhi :confused:

3. I called up the regional passport office (RK Puram, Delhi) and they advised that the spouse name is not mandatory to be added in order to obtain the PCC. Infact, the PCC will be granted without police verification if passport was issued within 1 year of us requesting for PCC.

All the best :)
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Thank You!!

jimmy2014 said:
Hi Becky,

Thanks for sharing this valuable information :)

1. Online applications : I have heard some applicants getting direct visa grants emails itself (assuming no complications in the application) and some do get contacted by the Case officers. As for offshore application, I am also waiting for a CO to be allocated for my wife's application. I hope the AHC, New Delhi has sufficient staff and trained people to look at online applications as per their date of lodgement. Paper or Online, every application must be given equal attention to be fair on everyone :eek:

2. From what I have read from other people's experience, the employees at the PSK may ask for the 'proof' of visa lodgement e.g. Acknowledgement etc. The rule you mentioned above, is that happening at the PSK you applied under or most PSK in New Delhi :confused:

3. I called up the regional passport office (RK Puram, Delhi) and they advised that the spouse name is not mandatory to be added in order to obtain the PCC. Infact, the PCC will be granted without police verification if passport was issued within 1 year of us requesting for PCC.

All the best :)
Click to expand...
Hey jimmy2014,

Thank you for your informative reply.

1. Please do share with us when you know something regarding your online application. I'm very eager to know how AHC New Delhi will be processing the. Good Luck!!

2. Many people try to get their Indian PCC done before lodging their application in the hope to avoid any kind of delays that accompanies this process. I got my PCC from VFS in Australia so that I didn't have to waste time running around in offices in India.

With the new rule being implemented, I guess the applicants will have to wait till they lodge their visa applications and get an acknowledgement letter from AHC to apply for a PCC.

3. My PSK in Ghaziabad, not in New Delhi. Hence the difference in rules!
It IS mandatory for applicants whose passports were issued by RPO Ghaziabad to get the name of their spouse added to their passport. I also needed to update my residential address. The PSK won't even allow the applicant to enter the office unless the passport has the correct and updated information and is told to get the passport re-issued and then the PCC will be issued.

One thing that cross checks is that the PSK will issue the PCC on the same day as application if the passport has updated and correct information.

Thanks again for your post. Good Luck!!

Kind Regards,
Becky
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Becky26 said:
Hey jimmy2014,

Thank you for your informative reply.

1. Please do share with us when you know something regarding your online application. I'm very eager to know how AHC New Delhi will be processing the. Good Luck!!

2. Many people try to get their Indian PCC done before lodging their application in the hope to avoid any kind of delays that accompanies this process. I got my PCC from VFS in Australia so that I didn't have to waste time running around in offices in India.

With the new rule being implemented, I guess the applicants will have to wait till they lodge their visa applications and get an acknowledgement letter from AHC to apply for a PCC.

3. My PSK in Ghaziabad, not in New Delhi. Hence the difference in rules!
It IS mandatory for applicants whose passports were issued by RPO Ghaziabad to get the name of their spouse added to their passport. I also needed to update my residential address. The PSK won't even allow the applicant to enter the office unless the passport has the correct and updated information and is told to get the passport re-issued and then the PCC will be issued.

One thing that cross checks is that the PSK will issue the PCC on the same day as application if the passport has updated and correct information.

Thanks again for your post. Good Luck!!

Kind Regards,
Becky
Click to expand...
Hi Becky,

Would please you mind telling me how much time did it take for you to get the PCC done in Australia ?

Oh ok.. looks like each PSK have their own set of rules which is strange and only cause delays for applicants. Nonetheless, I hope your new passport and PCC can sorted soon :D

Will keep you posted about our experience regarding PCC and also online applications. :eek:
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Thank You!!

jimmy2014 said:
Hi Becky,

Would please you mind telling me how much time did it take for you to get the PCC done in Australia ?

Oh ok.. looks like each PSK have their own set of rules which is strange and only cause delays for applicants. Nonetheless, I hope your new passport and PCC can sorted soon :D

Will keep you posted about our experience regarding PCC and also online applications. :eek:
Click to expand...
Hey jimmy2014,

My PCC took 7 working days. I think it was $55 roughly, can't remember their exact fees it's been a while. The VFS office in Brisbane processes applications pretty quickly. My husband got his Indian 6- months tourist visa approved in 4 days :D

Thank you for your kind wishes :D
Hope things work out for you very soon. Good Luck!!

Kind Regards,
Becky
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CollegeGirl
Totally off-topic:

I had to get a new (US) passport, too, Becky, to get my new (married) name on it. :) Got it in the mail today - I still get excited to see my new surname on things, haha. :) So happy. :)

I get to call Immi tomorrow re: my new last name and new passport number. Fun times. ;)
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CollegeGirl said:
Totally off-topic:

I had to get a new (US) passport, too, Becky, to get my new (married) name on it. :) Got it in the mail today - I still get excited to see my new surname on things, haha. :) So happy. :)

I get to call Immi tomorrow re: my new last name and new passport number. Fun times. ;)
Click to expand...
Congrats! That was fast. When my passport got stolen o/s it took just under 2 weeks for the new standard one to come from Australia.

I am umming if I change my passport with married name. I love my passport because of all the visa stamps for Egypt lol but hate the photo haha. On the plus side it is free.

Interesting trivia for you. My husband never has to ring immi to update his passport number because they have a passport number for life they just get a new passport with new expiry date.
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