As if it was the final insult to NZ citizens wanting to live in Australia, the global processing time for subclass 461 visas (NZders wanting to bring their partner or child to Australia to live with them) has ballooned out to a staggering 19 months in August. That’s longer than a 309 which is currently at 13mths. Why?
The only reason I can think of is that the 309 involves an Australian citizen, Resident or Eligible NZ citizen (which is really just an Australian Resident), whereas the 461 only involves two non-citizens and is therefore unimportant to the government.
What can be done about it? Nothing. As you can see from the many reports in the media, the Australian government is really not interested in changing their stance on immigration; even with yet another person in charge.
Call us to discuss your options.
Cameron Gray MARN 1791819
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Hi Cameron,
19 months for 461 is crazy!
I’m NZ citizen and my wife has a 600 multi-entry visitor visa valid until 2021 with max 3 months stay each time. We are planning to travel to Australia on her 600 visa and apply 461 inside Australia. She will be automatically granted a Bridging Visa A after 3 months? What if she needs to travel outside Australia while on Bridging Visa A? Should we apply Bridging Visa B or she can just use her 600 multi-entry visitor visa to come back?
Many Thanks
Shawn
Hi Shawn,
Sorry for the delay.
First, ensure thee is no 8503 No Further Stay condition on the current visitor visa. If not, your next issue will be at border in Australia and their assessment of whether your wife is a genuine visitor. They do have the power to return your wife back to NZ if they are not happy. This would be extreme in the circumstances but they can do it. If you reach Australia and make a valid 461 application, a bridging visa A should be issued. It will sit underneath the visitor visa until the three months stay is up. It will then come into effect but does not allow travel rights. This is where you will need a bridging visa b. Please note that your wife may not have work rights while in Australian on the bridging visas. Hope this helps. Cameron.
Hi Cameron, Thanks for all the information on your website! My wife and I have been married for 5 years and are in a committed relationship. I am a New Zealand passport holder with Australian permanent residency (BB155 visa), and she has a Singapore passport. We want to apply for an Australian spouse visa for my wife, as we are planning to move over in July 2020. I am wondering if there is a way to find out the offshore processing times for the 309/100 Spouse Visa if I submit though the New Zealand Consulate General Office. Is the waiting time similar to the 461 visa? Or do you think my wife is going to get a visa quicker by applying for the Spouse Visa onshore? Many thanks!
Hi Daniel,
I guerss my first issue is that you are a permanent residnt of Australia. Therefore, you are unable to be the holder of a 444 visa (sometimes it can be approved at border in error but this doesn’t change things) and cannot support a 461 application.
All partner applications are processed onshore now so lodging the application in NZ would not make a difference to the processing time.
Cameron
Just an update, my wife applied her 461 in October 2019 and got it approved today (just over 4 month). I think we could have got it even earlier as we delayed providing information asked by the CO by 1 month. So even the website now says 30+ months, people are getting it a lot quicker.
Hi Shawn,
That’s great news! Could you let us all know where the applciation was processed?
Thanks
Cameron