Hi everyone!
Its banana time!
It has been a long and gruelling journey that started in August 2016 and has finally come to an end. Here's my timeline:
EOI Submitted - 01/08/2016
EOI Selected - 03/08/2016
ITA Received - 16/08/2016
ITA Lodged - 04/11/2016
Application transferred to London Branch - 01/04/2017
CO assigned, extra documents, employer query - 10/05/2017
PPI letter received - 18/05/2017
Further evidence and 2nd employer questionnaire sent - within a few days, can't remember the exact date.
Application declined - September 2017
Appeal lodged - November 2017
Changed job, moved to Hanmer Springs - March 2018
Applied for VOC - February 2018 (2 year work visa was due to expire in May)
Appeal decision positive, application sent for re-assessment (as Head Chef) - March 2018
Applied for Essential skills since residence application was now in progress, 1 year visa granted within 1 week - April 2018
Between the time of application and appeal decision, I got married, my wife was already here and was now eligible for partnership based residence, so the tribunal instructed re-assessment to be conducted with my wife added on to the application (WIN!!).
CO assigned, re-assessment from new employer starts - 26/4/2018
Wife's application, proof of English proficiency (PTE result), proofs of relationship and living together sent - 27/04/2018
Employer replied to the questionnaire - 29/5/2018
No further questions.
Application sent to 2pc - 29/6/2018
Status changed to APPROVED for both me and my wife - 10/7/2018
What remains to be seen is whether there will be a condition on the visa to stay with my current employer/region for some time or not. Still awaiting the AIP letter.
Thanks to everyone on the forum for their support, especially Chris.