I think if you're from a low-risk country you're probably okay to front-load medicals and police checks and hope it brings you faster processing. From a high-risk country, though (especially those at the highest tier of risk) you are probably better off waiting.

Thanks CollegeGirl. I agree with you. But it's a bit late now. I have the expiry dates in my diary and we will update the police checks and medical as they expire after 12 months. That way we hope to avoid any unnecessary delay.

In some cases, I think it's definitely worth front-loading medicals and police checks, even if it's likely that you will need to re-submit them. I imagine that of I was separated from my husband and applying for an offshore visa, I would happily take the risk of needing to pay for them twice just for the off chance that my processing time would be quicker.

We chose to wait for the medical but we front loaded the police check. We did it that way because we already applied for the police check when we decided not to front load. But, my husband is here on a BVA and waiting a few extra months (with him onshore with me) isn't that big a deal, not compared to $300!!!

Yeah I agree. We front loaded our police check and did my medical before being asked, since we were applying for a 309. I was prepared to re do them if necessary but fortunately it wasn't an issue. I wouldn't have cared so much if I had applied onshore for an 820.

Kttykat

How long does it usually take after they e-mail you asking for more information in regards to police checks? I had been waiting for my FBI check and they requested it, so I've sent it through and it was received a week ago.

I applied in June 2013.

Hi Greyang, it's different for everyone. My visa was approved 5 hours after I turned my FBI check in. That said, it was the very last piece that they needed. They had requested the FBI check and medical just over a month before that, and had gotten my medical soon after the request, so they had plenty of time to tie up any loose ends before I sent in the FBI check. If you sent in the FBI check right after they requested it, it's possible that they still have some things to look over and it's going to take a bit of time. :)

Hi guys,

I wanted to ask you for your advice.
I lodged my application for Visa 820 onshore on 24th January 2014. Of course no response yet. I'm going for holidays to my country. I will be back before my student visa expires. So technically I'm not on bridging visa yet.
Holidays: May 2014, visa expiration: 11 June 2014.
Do I still need to inform Immigration office about that leave? or maybe it is not mandatory but recommended?
Thank you in advance for your opinions!

I keep my fingers crossed for all of us to be granted TR ASAP :)

Hi,

I have had experience with this.
As long has you have a current COE, then you can travel on your student visa. If you have completed your studies, look into enrolling into a short course until your Bridging Visa A comes into play, because DIBP will most likely cancel your student visa (meaning the cancellation of your BVA) if you go overseas and they are alerted you do not have a current COE.

Good luck.

How long did it take to receive your FBI checks? You know you have to to a state police check for USA too?

10 weeks for me. And yes I turned in the state ones as well