Sood and his wife. (SBS)
According to SBS, the Home Affairs Department`s (Department of Home Affairs) has cut by nearly half the time it takes to process (Partner Visa) applications for spouses` visas from countries, easing the urgent need for those awaiting the outcome.
The processing of spouse visas has been extended, but according to the latest update on August 22, the Ministry of the Interior has reduced its review period to 14 to 16 months from 21 to 26 months in the month ending July 31.
Previously, spouses of Australian citizen or permanent residents who applied for a spouse visa outside Australia had to wait as long as 26 months before they could come to Australia to live with their partner. In some cases, it may even take longer.
"that`s good news for customers who are patiently waiting for the results of the application." Singh (Ranbir Singh) of (Lakshya Migration), a Lakshia immigrant in Melbourne, said: "the Home Office has been criticized for its two-year waiting period and the high cost of more than A $7000."
Singh welcomed the recent adjustment in the timing of the spouse`s visa hearing. "I`m glad to see it. I sincerely hope that they will bring it back on track. However, it would be desirable for an applicant to adjust to less than six months. "
"the extension of the visa hearing has had a serious impact on our clients. They mentioned a number of huge challenges, including delaying first-time home ownership, employment and family formation plans. "
"want to shrink to 6 months."
(. (SBS photo taken by Sood and his wife)
Sood (Abi Sood) is awaiting the results of his wife`s spouse visa application. He previously launched petition online, hoping to address the issue of extended spouse visa review.
In the face of the news, Sood responded that Australia is still a long time away from Canada and the United States.
"this is still uncontrolled. I hope they will be reduced to six months. Such delays have weighed on couples. "
"our lives are shut down because they [the Home Office] spend a lot of time trying to determine if the people concerned are good enough to live with their partners in Australia."
"I suggest that, at this stage, if the waiting period for applications exceeds 14 months, they should contact their visa officer, (Case Officer)."
It is reported that the Ministry of Home Affairs said earlier that the delay in processing spouse visas is due to strong demand and the "high risk" of the increase in the proportion of applications.
Although the demand for spouse visas rose more than 7 percent from the previous year in 2016-17, the number of spouse visas in the annual quota for immigration plans has remained at 47825 since 2014-15.
