TTTF

53 minutes ago, BoddyFam said:

The below is an email response I got from the Dept of Home Affairs this morning. This seems slightly different from other responses to complaints? Anyone else agree? I don't really know what to make it of it to be honest.... Also just a note - I personalised my letter (took some of Marks letter and edited it for this complaint as it directly relates to my visa application) and I also took a lot of the Covid-19 references out as I believe whether there is a pandemic or not, the processing time is ridiculous. 

 

"The Department of Home Affairs has received your feedback on 16 April 2020. Feedback on our processes and services is important and we thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.

In regards to your processing time, we apologise for any delay you are experiencing during this time.

Global visa processing times will be updated monthly, providing you with an indicative timeframe for processing applications. Processing times are available for the majority of visa subclasses products, but will exclude a few subclasses such as those closed to new entrants, subject to capping and queueing, or which have a low volume of applications. Two processing times are displayed in calendar days, indicating how long it is taking to finalise 75 and 90 per cent of applications submitted globally.

Processing times are impacted each month by changes in application volumes, seasonal peaks, complex cases, and incomplete applications. Processing times include applications lodged online and by paper. Where available, you should lodge your application online as it helps streamline processing arrangements.

Although processing areas are taking all available steps to minimise any delays and finalise applications as soon as possible, the Department’s services are currently being impacted by COVID-19. We have provided the relevant processing area your feedback, and they may provide further response at their discretion, however no further response has been requested and we have now closed this case.

Please note that regarding the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak, the Department of Home Affairs is working closely with the Departments of Health, Agriculture and other agencies as part of the whole of Government response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). During this time we ask that you refer to the Department’s website www.homeaffairs.gov.au for further information and instructions relating to these disruptions. If you require additional information, we are continuing to update the Department’s website as further details become available.

We hope this information has been helpful to you.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Vym

Global Feedback Unit

Department of Home Affairs

This is one more option to try - https://www.pm.gov.au/contact-your-pm

More direct and official channel. 

The response is certainly very generic in nature, not providing any insights.

11 hours ago, Maninder said:

AFTER 13 YEARS AND 3 MONTHS 

GRANT GRANT GRANT

CASE OFFICER CHELSEA THANKS TO HER 

FINALLY THIS CHAIN OF PAINFUL EVENTS HAVE BROKEN 

APPLIED 887 on 19aug2018

 

Congratulations to you and your family. Best wishes with the future. 

3 hours ago, nudgee said:

Hope everyone send emails. Hope we can finally see some grants today

In addition to emails which are being sent, please copy the media channels in order to get a parallel media  attention. This will make this event more significant in terms of getting appropriate action. 

Both the channels host Hon. PM and Immigration ministers frequently almost every week. If we send multiple emails surely they will cover the story. 

It is worth giving it a try when things are happening. 

Keep up the good work. 

For channel 7 morning show email id is  - 

For Channel 9 morning show - https://9now.nine.com.au/today/tell-your-story

17 hours ago, Rupinder said:

Hi.I am new to this forum.My husband is stuck in india.is there any way that i can bring him here.Thanks

Check this out .. relevant to your request,

https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/covid-19-restrictions-temporary-visa-holders-who-want-to-travel-to-australia-urgently-may-apply-for-exemptions

16 minutes ago, nudgee said:

Such a great article, it mentioned an applicant on 494 applied for 887, is this information correct? I thought only 489 will apply for 887, thanks

looks like a typo..nevertheless the issue is raised., which is more important. 

48 minutes ago, nudgee said:

Hate this give you some hopes and then disappear for weeks

http://fecca.org.au/media-releases/temporary-visa-holders-must-not-be-left-behind/

In case this was not seen by many. 

2 hours ago, Stellajane said:

Hey @Megrand1,

Thank you for taking the effort to write this letter.  I fully support the pathway that this group is taking in addressing this issue to a member of the parliament. The wait is indeed endless and horrific.

You requested some suggestions, so I'm taking the opportunity to address some concerns of mine. Please do not take this personally, you're doing a great job already and your time and effort is truly appreciated. 

In order to hopefully make this as successful as possible, please consider the following:

Body of letter – use the EPIC format – Engage reader, state the Problem, Inform about solutions, and give a Call to action.

In my opinion, your first paragraph states immediately the facts and the numbers rather than engaging the reader to learn to understand where the problem is coming from. 

I believe a better format would be is engaging the reader with triggering him with a few of the struggles we face on a daily basis due to the processing times. That will want him to understand and learn more about it. So maybe you can re arrange some paragraphs.

I also remember a post of @TTTF in which he/she states a few questions to the DHA that might help in stating the problem and informing about solutions. That post is already from a while ago, maybe TTTF can repost to see if it might be helpful?

I think it is important to suggest solutions, state questions and make the reader think about to problem. 

We need to try to make the letter as such that the minister kinda just has to forward it to DHA and ask them. " What is going on here? We have received a complaint that we need to address. Read this, answer the questions  and tell me why we have such processing times and what are you going to do about it?.

I hope you understand,

Stellajane

Thank @Stellajane and @Megrand1 for your work on this. 

I read the letter in detail and agree with @Stellajane it definitely requires reformatting. There are specific formats when you write a letter to any minister and it needs to be used. The letter should address details such has, to whom the letter is addressed to, subject, Purpose, what is the discussion point, what is the response requested on etc.

Couple of basics to be mindful of when communicating with government authorities, 

1. Minister cannot be addressed as "Dear" in official letters.Example - Hon David Coleman MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs. 

2. The language cannot be aggressive and rude when it is addressed to a minister. "Moreover, as skilled immigrants, we observe that other skilled visa sub classes such as Subclass 189, 190 and 491 do not have such ridiculous processing times" 

Please refer to the letter attached for content and format.  You can edit to reflect current information as and where required. 

The most important thing from this action is ,

1. To demonstrate how hard things (practical difficulties)  become due to the processing delays

2. What we except from DHA as actions to address the issue. By this we are asking an response to the issues raised which is critical. 

Remember not all letters end up at minister's table. The letter should strong but polite communicating the message required.   

Hope you get the perspective what I am trying put across. You have done a great job here. Hope this helps the cause. 

Also on a practical side of things - when this is issue is seen at a government level as compared to other ongoing issues ( bush fires/floods/virus etc) it will be classified as a low priority hence resulting in such delays. 

Thanks

LETTER TO THE ADDRESS PROCESSING DELAYS FOR 887 VISA.docx

27 minutes ago, DANISH RAZA said:

Dear All,

We gave up, Cant wait more, its already 19 months of application but dont know when they will make grant.

So sending my wife overseas for 4 months to take care her sick father.

DO I NEED TO TELL IMMIGRATION THAT MY PARTNER IS GOING NOW ??  

If you are 489 is valid till the return date of the 4 month period no need to inform.. just travel. Given that you are so close to grant timeline, just a courtesy email/phone call informing about the travel would be sensible. 

Remember if the 489 expires in this 4 month period she will need bridging visa b to come back. so check that out. you can only apply bridging visa b when ur onshore. 

The maximum loss would be grant will be further delayed till your partner comes back.. it is still better than having a life long regret. 

At least in such cases immigration should have some sort arrangements or a transparent communication line. 

Hope all goes well. 

31 minutes ago, nudgee said:

I don't know if anyone is interested, its not directly relate to us, but Home Affairs is holding a free information session on visa options in regional Australia tomorrow, I guess there will be some officers that looking after the regional area from home affairs will attend the meeting. But I am not in WA, if anyone want to meet the officers face to face its an opportunity 

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/regional-visa-information-session-tickets-89939981907?fbclid=IwAR14pBKuxw94LHS_PQES5Kw7sG-yRn6zpb0Hl-a6vlYy2Bf_Ccf5xAKQKr0

 

 

There are some sessions in NSW as well, if any one is around that side. Worth taking a chance. 

10 hours ago, Megrand1 said:

Too late today, I will share it tomorrow.

It is not personal at all, I have prepared it for our group complaint to the Minister.

How are we going to sign it off?

Great... which minister are you planning to submit?

It will be good to add on the FOI responses received advising the status of application and the current status/ Compliant responses to make a strong case. 

4 hours ago, Megrand1 said:

Guys, I have drafted a letter to the Minister.

I used the petition as the basis and added some information.

What do you think is the best way to let interested people read it before signing?

if you the nature of the letter is not personal, can you please share, happy to assist. 

1 hour ago, ninolaine said:

hi TTTF, 

I have raised a complaint online. resubmitted the documents including the expired ielts. I have renamed the file though, "Functional english as per legislation". not sure if my use of term legislation is right but maybe it'll work. but as per @Dee tough luck! while waiting we will be booking an ielts as well, 4 hours drive or a plane ticket fare is nothing compared to the pain of an endless wait...

i hope others get some good news today. i still feel better now than no contact at all.

Hope things get resolved for your guys via complaint process... rather than going through all the time consuming process and continue to wait. 

1 hour ago, ninolaine said:

Hi,

This is what she sent:

This is good news and bad news.. one way they picked up your file  to look in which is good news and the bad news this question could potentially result in further unnecessary delay..

I think it will best to call and have a discussion  raising with the case officer .. since as per website the letter should be perfect for proving functional English. 

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language/functional-english

Asking same thing again and is not very fair on the applicant as it results in delays for no reason. That too when the application is in line with the requirements. 

Best of luck. 

17 minutes ago, SJay said:

These are really good questions, ... It's just, the doubt I have on the answers they will give for these questions. They will come up with something general or they may not answer at all. 

I know the language used ...in their responses. 

a sentence can be included, stating "the response expected to be specific addressing the questions and not a general response. As general response will not complete of the objective of FOI raised and questions will continue to remain unanswered". 

15 hours ago, TakeItOnTheChin said:

I know what your are saying but I am still full of hope for this month and a spike in grants. I don't want to even contemplate an 18 month wait. Good luck, let's see!!

Everyone here knows one sided stories and rest is mostly left on understanding of the available facts. 

Suggestion - 

Many applicants have got numbers via FOI requests, why not try asking specific questions via FOI process and at least understand the whole process rather than assuming somethings. In this way  at least we can expect a response and  have more understanding of the processing work flows 

Questions needs to be very  specific,

1. How does the process work in terms of picking up a file/case, is it chronological order and how can the applicant be provided a indicative time line where the case could be picked up
2. Why there is so much delay noticed after first contact and what is reason behind it? How can applicant assist to get this process work faster
3. If the processing time keeps increasing all the applicants will always remain within the processing time.. how does the department plans to address this 
4. Due to the processing time line the applicants have to come up with multiple police checks and bear the cost of it, how does department plan to address this.. even if there 2 applicants on an average the cost adds up and causes more delays. 
5. How many cases does case officers process on a monthly basis and why cannot department be transparent about it specifically in terms of 887 visas issued. 
6. Can department publish the info similar to EOI invitation numbers on a monthly basis and be more specific as processing cases  as "prior to November 2018 does not give any clarity"  to the applicants as it could be any thing  over 11 months
7. Contact center provides a limited information and how this can be improved where we can interact with the case officers and make things easy and swift in terms of documentation

Please feel free to add in any more as appropriate. 

13 hours ago, Ice Breaker said:

Hi Guys,

I have a question regarding my 887 application. I applied for 887 last November and one of the questions in the application is - “HAVE YOU OR ANY PERSON INCLUDED IN THIS APPLICATION PREVIOUSLY BEEN TO AUSTRALIA HELD OR CURRENTLY HOLD A VISA FOR A TRAVEL TO AUSTRALIA?” - so what I have provided them is just the tourist visa that my wife received when she visited Australia back in 2014 before migrating to Australia in 2017 with a 489 Visa. My question is, DO WE NEED TO INCLUDE THE 489 VISA? 

Attached is a screenshot of the question

Thanks everyone in advance for the response. 

Silent Follower here. 

 

TRN is  also personal info.. not to be shared in public forum.

1 hour ago, Megrand1 said:

That's what I got from DOHA

 

Thanks for sharing the information.. Looks like Feb 2020 update on processing will provide a view on how things will progress for next 6 -8 months.. As January update did not mean anything in terms of application processing.. seems to be a status quo. 

1 hour ago, Satish said:

Don't be strange, I work with federal government now, due to demand in skill set they have negotiated Citizenship requirement, however it is being changing now and very hard for coming June renewal. Fingers crossed:-)

Advisable for everyone, don't share you employment background on public forums. Not a ideal thing to do . It is very easy to add/combine data and make meaningful information for any individual. Better be safe than sorry. 

In terms of the broad level question on this topic, It does not matter whether it is state or federal govt, unless the role is classified as "sensitive or Trust role"  legal and valid  working rights should be good enough to get through the job assuming interview goes positive. 

It is always role dependent and nothing to do with  state or federal govt. 

So do not restraint yourself on visa constraints . 

10 hours ago, sislam said:

Guys i have another 2 years 2 months remaining on my 489visa . Recently there is an opportunity for an on going full time job in SA government (at present I am working in the same position for the last six month as contract basis with SA government). If get eligible for this position , will my 489 visa will be an issue to get this full time on going job?? 

Do you guys have any idea . With 489 can i get full time on going govt ob

To answer in brief - No it will not impact. 

But at times individuals complicate the entire visa scenario by using all the visa jargon's. Remember that nobody in normal course knows what is 489 or 887 visa numbers. You need to state about your valid and legal working rights thats it. So if you communicate correctly and do well in your interviews don't think visa will be a reason to bother about.    

Best of luck !

9 minutes ago, nudgee said:

yea processing time has been increased but mainly due to the holiday. should reduce again next month 

Yes this is the main reason... and the increase is just by a month.. by Feb and March this should sit between 16 to 18 months.

Meanwhile, recheck your documents if you have crossed 12 months. As most the direct grants are around 14 months on an average.. keep the application decision ready. 

21 minutes ago, 887 2019 said:

  In details 

Applied date 16 July 

First co contact ( Michael) - 19 Sept asked for functional English for myself and my wife  . I am primary applicant 

Second co contact today by Michael over a phone . My immi account has it's it's maximum capacity so case office didn't find my English document coz I have send an email to them . He also mention that it was an error that immigration ask English test for me as a primary applicant . As he didn't found my wife n mine in immi account he ask me what I am going to do i explain him that I send an email to them then he put 1 min hold on phone n inform me he found my email attached my ielts n my wife ielts .then he said he will update my application today n he also told me he gonna call me anytime today after 1 hour he rang me again just to confirm and in 1 min after that I got grant

Guys as I crossed my 18 month mark I rang my local MP. And I reckon  coz of him I got my grant today 

Thank you so much .

I hope everyone understand my email

Congratulations to you and your family.  

Glad they sorted the mistake.

7 hours ago, siffi said:

Hello all the members !!

I am trying to prepare myself to lodge my 887 as my 2 year will be this March 2020. Now I started with Form80 I have filled the form online and printed it out and will sign it . Now I am thinking do I have to scan them all the page again along with my signature page and then make all the 19 page in one  filled up form? Also im trying to save the filled up form in my computer and every time i save and open it it comes blank form again. So im thinking printing the filled up form and scanning each page is the only option? please enlighten me!

 

Thanks

Si

Fill the entire form electronically and print the signature page if you want to sign physically, else digital version of your signature will also work and use google chrome to print option and save as PDF. No fuss about printing and scanning. 

Immigration PDF forms are protected for information integrity purposes and hence has limited print/save options. 

41 minutes ago, 887 visa said:

Hoping it too we provided the same letter at the time of 489 n got visa they did not ask for any further proof I don’t know why they are asking for documents now because we already got 489 on the base of letter so unfair

Can understand.. the basic logic to this entire process is to keep documentation clear and co-related. so that there is clear linkages and less questions. Nobody knows the logic to some questions raised. 

Getting it First time right will help other applicants also in long run and this forum helps to share most the questions raised for other applicants to check and avoid same mistakes. 

2 minutes ago, 887 visa said:

We provided the letter from institution stating that my course was in english for my masters degree but they asked for transcripts n other proof for the english so we provided the same day.nothing after that still waiting 

Ppl who are submitting university letter or any equivalent document for English , Please provide associated mark sheets/transcripts to co-relate the documents. It will assist to avoid such questions and delay the application. 

Hopefully you get grant  soon.. 

11 minutes ago, Hope said:

How long the ielts valid ? And is that validity apply to the date of lodgement? 
Because immi is taking about 2 years to finalise some of applications these day so how does it work 

3 years for immigration purposes.

As long as it is valid on the date of 887 application it should be fine. The time taken for processing the application will not impact in this case.