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How can the turnaround time for your visa application be shortened?
Australia’s immigration regulations are intricate and occasionally challenging to apply. Sometimes the combination of inexperienced employees and outdated visa applications causes officials to request information that would ordinarily not be necessary, adding to processing delays. This is something that the migration sector has encountered recently. Make sure your paperwork and information are current if you have an older application waiting or are submitting a new one so that it can be as near to “decision ready” as possible when an officer reviews it.
How to Speed up the Australian Visa Application
Suggestions on how to fasten the processing of your visa:
While the length of time it takes for your visa to be processed is out of your control, some errors with documentation and other requirements might cause a delay in the permission of the visa or, worse, result in the application being rejected.
You must be extremely careful while applying for a visa, as any errors could severely damage your chances of living, learning, or working in Australia if your application is rejected. The following advice will help you avoid making severe errors that could delay or prevent your visa from being granted.
Open Early
It is impossible to predict how long it will take to get a visa. Therefore, as soon as you plan to visit Australia, start gathering all of the necessary paperwork. You risk missing deadlines for presenting your documents if you hold off until you receive an invitation to apply. This can impede progress or result in the application being turned down.
Complete all forms
Complete all of your application documents accurately: A full and truthful visa application in Australia improves the processing time and enhances the likelihood that your visa will be approved. As a result, be sure to complete all your paperwork, submit all necessary papers, and refrain from telling lies.
Be fast to respond
The time it takes to complete your visa dramatically depends on how promptly you react to requests for more information and supporting documents. The processing moves along more quickly, and the quicker you react. Additionally, prompt responses will impress your case officer, who will be aware of your eagerness to obtain a visa and will undoubtedly consider that.
Read Also: How to Apply for an Australian Work Visa from India
How to get a visa for Australia from the USA
Visa Applications Backlog
There has been a significant backlog in visa applications in recent weeks that is thought to be close to one million strong.
A considerable backlog has plagued the Department of Home Affairs as Australia has been readjusting to open borders. This makes it more difficult to recruit talented immigrants when the country is already facing competition from other nations that serve as migrant destinations, such as Canada, the UK, and the US.
What led to the backlog in visa applications?
Several variables, including but not limited to
- Many applications filed but not actively processed during the COVID-19 border closure period have contributed to the backlog of visa applications.
- A rise in the number of new applications submitted after borders were reopened.
- A change in the Department of Home Affairs’ processing procedures from closed border agreements (where Travel Exemptions set the priority) to open border agreements (in which there are no Travel Exemptions).
- Staffing constraints within the Department as a result of COVID-19 isolation
When Australia reopened its borders in December 2021, a considerable revision to the visa processing procedures was necessary (this occurred later in some states, such as WA, which re-opened in March 2022).
Due to the causes above, applications that previously took one to two weeks to be completed now take one to two months or longer to complete.
Even while the backlog is being processed more quickly, it is unlikely to be cleared before Christmas. Industry associations have urged the Government to take prompt action to help the economy quickly absorb new capabilities.
Australia’s immigration regulations are intricate and occasionally challenging to apply. Sometimes the combination of inexperienced employees and outdated visa applications causes officials to request information that would ordinarily not be necessary, adding to processing delays. This is something that the migration sector has encountered recently.
Make sure your paperwork and information are current if you have an older application waiting or are submitting a new one so that it can be as near to “decision ready” as possible when an officer reviews it.
The Australian Government is taking several steps to reduce the backlog and expedite the visa application process. Following the directives of the Prime Minister and the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, and Multicultural Affairs, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), Australia, is currently giving priority to processing the backlog of visa applications.
Both have ordered the DHA to commit additional personnel to clear the backlog of visa applications.
Australia Prioritizing quicker processing of visa applications
The Australian Department of Home Affairs is currently emphasizing reducing backlogs and expediting application processing. The Department is giving temporary skilled worker, student, and visitor caseloads processing priority over other abroad caseloads. This will ensure more individuals can visit Australia, contribute to economic growth, and address the labor deficit.
To reduce the backlog, the minister of immigration, citizenship, and multicultural affairs consider all available possibilities. The following steps have already been taken:
- Officers who were previously focused on travel exemptions have been redirected to visa processing; since May 2022, 140 new employees have been employed in visa processing roles;
- Additionally, a strengthened capacity for working overtime, drawn from across the Department and the Australian Border Force, has been set up.
Minister Giles stated, “The number of applications received in June 2022 is 6.5% more than May 2022 – over the same period, there was a 10.6% rise in applications finalized” when describing the efforts to reduce the backlog of applications.
Since the start of June 2022, 745,000 visa applications—including more than 645,000 for overseas visas—have been approved, according to the Government. These are 9,550 temporary skilled visas, 62,000 student visas, and 388,000 guest visas.
“The processing of visas will continue to be a primary priority for this Government, but reducing the backlog of applications can’t happen overnight,” Minister Giles further stated.
Before beginning this crucial activity, individuals assigned to handle the current visa applications must complete training and acquire the necessary skills.
“The previous administration devalued immigration, and during their tenure, the backlog of visa applications reached about 1,000,000.” The Alban Government is committed to clearing the backlog and giving our Government’s immigration role its just due.
It’s the ideal moment for Australian visa applicants to apply for the applicable Skilled, student, visiting, etc. visas due to the rise in the allocation of Skilled visa seats (109,900 for the program year 2022–23) and the speeding up of application processing.
FAQS
Can you fast-track an Australian visa?
Fast-track processing is a paid service that gives some applicants for Visitor visas (subclass 600) priority processing. If you need your visitor visa processed quickly, fill out this form and pay the fast-track processing cost. In addition to the fee for applying for a visa, there is a fast-track fee.
Why do Australian visa applications take so long?
Many nations, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, delay visas due to high applications; this primarily affects tourists and students.
How can I make my visa process faster?
The quickest way to receive a visa decision is through the Super Priority Visa program. After their appointment at the visa application center, customers who qualify for this service will get a decision by the end of the next business day.
How can I obtain a visa for Australia quickly?
Call the Canberra Consular Emergency Centre (CEC) at +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 from within Australia. (from abroad)
Why is my Australian visa taking so long?
In Australia, the backlog of immigration paperwork that needs to be processed is the leading cause of student visa delays.
What Australian visa can you get the quickest?
The ETA application process is the simplest and fastest way to obtain an Australian visa (online application)
You can travel to Australia as often as you like if you don’t go beyond a year after receiving the ETA. You can obtain the online form for this document on iVisa.com, and you are permitted a 90-day stay for each entry.