The Australian High Commission has let agents know that due to unusually high volumes of visa applications, processing times in Pretoria are currently around 45 days.
It has also set out some guidelines that agents can follow when lodging applications, after they have lodged an application, and tips on how to communicate with the commission to assist its processing officers.
These include:
- Making sure applications for families or groups travelling together are linked. This will assist with the applications being processed together.
- Ensuring all over-75s provide evidence of travel insurance that covers their entire stay in Australia.
- The Commission also advises that after lodgement, applicants’ biometrics must be done as soon as possible. If no biometric request letter has been received within a day of lodgement, it asks that agents contact them for one.
- Uploading all additional information requested by the High Commission through ImmiAccount, and not sending the information to the Commission via email.
For a more detailed look at the High Commissions advisory, see the next issue of TNW.
