Question: How long does it take to get a visa?

The time it takes to get a visa can range from days to months and sometimes years depending on what kind of visa you are applying for.

You must also take into consideration the time it takes to "prepare" your application.

So if you want to take control of your application and the timing of everything, then follow these steps to plan how much time you need to prepare your visa.

FOUR STEPS TO PLANNING YOUR TIME:

1. Firstly, get some advice of your eligibility, visa options, and critical requirements to measure how much effort and time you will need to put aside for "preparations".
2. Find out what the estimated "processing time" for your visa type is, by visiting https://www.border.gov.au/about/access-accountability/service-standards.
3. Allocate approximately 28 days beyond the processing time for any requests you may need  to respond to from your Immigration officer (who will be deciding your application).
4. Finally, make sure you have enough time on your current visa, to do all of the above if you are in Australia (of course, if you are eligible for a bridging visa, then this may not matter).

I hope that helps.

From the desk of Yuri Marshall | Changing Lives Everyday