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ETA on DIAC requesting Medical and PCC records after initial application

Hi,

Pre-empting my application for the DIAC will hopefully be in a couple of weeks, I was hoping if anyone could give an indication of when the DIAC will advise me of when the medical and PCC checks should be obtained and sent to them?

I am only anxious, as I leaving the country in 3 months, and therefore, if it is likely to be longer than that e.g. DIAC advises the records normally 9 months after application, then I have to think about alternatives.

My backup plan, is that if, within 2 months from now the DIAC have not requested any records, then I will go ahead and get a PCC and a medical, where I can then send the records on when advised (the hope being the advisement being only a few months into the application, though if it's 6 months on then I am really stuck! Quick flight back to UK perhaps!?).

It's a bit of a cat-and-mouse affair, and one I'm not happy with (it's the last stress point!), but I seem to have little choice at the moment.

I have read several times of people submitting their PCC and medicals with their initial application with what seemed no adverse effect.

I was pretty sure I had read on the DIAC website that the PCC could be submitted at application time but this no longer seems to be the case.

Thanks for your time

Sky

Tags: Medical, PCC, timelines

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lisa Valentine on March 10, 2010 at 1:43pm: Hi Sky

I didn't want to leave this unanswered but this is a difficult issue and I'm not sure how much help I can be. From what I can gather, some migration agents are saying that it does no harm to submit your PCCs now, others say to ask your Case Officer first as they say that your chance to validate the visa will be dated from when you had your medicals and police checks done.

They say average processing time is around 15 months and they usually ask for meds after about12 months.

I would cautiously advise doing as you plan, to wait until a month before you are due to leave and then obtain your meds and send them. But others may have different advice. Have you been assigned a case officer yet?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sky Rumsey on March 10, 2010 at 2:05pm: Hi Lisa,

Thanks for the reply.

I haven't actually applied for the main 175 Visa yet, as I am waiting on my ACS and IELTS results (had to take due to 8th Feb reforms so needed the extra 10 points).

I pose the question now as it takes 2 weeks for the PCC which is my assuming ETA for when the results from the above will come back so could apply with everything, but the medical, then i.e. will have application in by end of March.

It is a awkward situation for me. My round-the-world (RTW) ticket allows me to travel South America for upto 1 year, then fly on from Santiago to Sydney. I'm hoping to enjoy S. America for most of that 1 year, and then travel through Australia on a tourist Visa, where I can then wait for my main Visa to immigration in Asia.

However, it may be that I have to come back to the UK for a few months after my RTW excursion, but I would like to try and avoid that mainly for costs and practicality. I aim to be doing freelance IT work whilst travelling as well to ensure my skills are current.

It's an ambitious plan, but one I'm trying my upmost to make real!

I can't see the harm of having the medical / PCC done beforehand (I don't need to be anywhere in person for PCC so can submit that whilst travelling). If the medical I have 'reserved' is of no-use to the DIAC, then that's when things get costly!

Once again, thanks for the info and hope this helps clear up my situation!

Regards

Sky; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lisa Valentine on March 11, 2010 at 9:52am: Hi Sky

Wow that's an ambitious plan! Best of luck though, life is there to be lived and this is something you will remember for the rest of your life. Perhaps we can do a feature on your travels?

I'll forward a link to this thread to Susan as she really is the best person to be able to help. This issue is just a little too complex for my journalistic brain! I know she's busy atm working on her business, but perhaps she can spare 5 mins.....; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Susan Wareham McGrath on March 13, 2010 at 11:26pm: Hi Sky

If you are assessed as being a Computing Professional with a specialisation, you'll be on the CSL. Currently DIAC is finalising CSL applications that were lodged last November. If you're confident that your application will be processed via the CSL, you could lodge your PCC and meds with your application as they will still be valid at the time it's finalised.

If you are assessed as a Computing Professional with no specialisation, you will not be on the CSL. In that case, your application will take much longer and it would be advisable to wait until DIAC requests you to undertake meds and obtain a PCC.

If it transpires that you're not in the UK when you need to have your meds done, you could undertake them in another country; but you do need to be aware that the location of the panel doctor could be hundreds of miles from the places you plan to visit. Also, in some countries, panel doctors will not perform meds on an applicant without a letter from the embassy, which adds another layer of bureaucracy to the process.

FYI, here's a link to DIAC's info about panel doctors: http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/panel-doctors/

Hope that helps to clarify the situation.

Best regards
Susan; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Farzana Khan on March 16, 2010 at 4:50am: Dear Susan !

You mentioned that Currently DIAC is finalising CSL applications that were lodged last November.
My application is of last June'09 and CSL case ( 175,paper based ). I got updated my case for my marriage/spouse in Jan,2010. When would my case be finalized ? Pls reply.

Thanks & Regards,
Farzana; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sky Rumsey on March 16, 2010 at 9:55am: Hi again Susan!

I have thought about taking the medicals in another country if need be, but wasn't sure about the ordeal it may create (as you mention, I may require a letter from the embassy)! Wouldn't be too bother travelling to the panel doctor as that would be part of the fun!

Thanks for the link, that's one I had bookmarked. Though I just reviewed it now, and the panel doctors for Norwich have gone (there's none near me accept Knightsbridge!).

I've been reading about the eHealth option, and looks like when I make an eVisa application I can then book myself in for an eHealth so it will all be done at the same time!

Forever changing hey?

Thanks again for your assistance,

ACS has been 9 weeks now, so expecting imminent results soon!

Regards

Sky; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Susan Wareham McGrath on March 23, 2010 at 8:53am: Good luck with your assessment, Sky - let us know how you go!
Best regards
S; ▶ Reply to This