Current Medical Assessor Referral Times?

[BoerieNZ]

Hi all, it looks like I'm contributing in the one subforum I wish I didn't need to

Does anyone here have an idea how long the current MA referral queue is? My medicals were submitted yesterday containing all my reports and results and I know it's going to go the MA referral route. The email confirmation I received only said that my medicals were submitted, unlike my wife and kids where it said "no abnormal findings".

So now I'm just trying to get an idea on how long the additional MA referral step is going to take. Hopefully they have everything they need to pass me through instead of asking for more tests. If that happens, our visas are screwed.

In 2010 there was an 8 week medical assessor backlog - I really hope things have improved!!!

Thanks again!

[JandM]

It's always been said that any referral takes a minimum of three weeks for the turn-around, even if all the MA is saying is, 'Yes, this is ASH.' When there gets to be a backlog, the answer is that old thing which doesn't help, 'It varies.' But the 2010 big backlog was down to a reorganization, so there is not likely to be a similar situation now. Another thing is that every review of a medical is individual; the MA's job is to understand EACH case, so on one occasion s/he may be able to say, 'Yes... next!' within five minutes, then the next file s/he picks up may contain test-results which are puzzling and need investigation so as to understand the underlying cause, which the applicant hasn't yet asked for, so that same MA will have to send back a requirement for such tests and reports, and set the file aside till those arrive. It's not the case that an MA has a set time or a target time for dealing with each file. Your own case will be somewhere between the extremes - you had the odd test results, but you are also sending the specialist reports. No doubt the MA will take time to read through all the details, and I hope for you that s/he will soon understand everything that has been submitted.

I notice you're saying despondently, 'If that's the case, our visas are screwed.' That's not necessarily true, from what you've said before. A delay isn't refusal. Your doctors have said you are fine, so in time, your ASH verdict should come through, then your and your children's visas will be granted. Your doctors don't have any doubts. Certainly it's not what you would choose ideally, but if necessary, your wife could go ahead and start her job, then the rest of you could follow.

[KiwiChar2]

I was wondering the same today too! The additional tests and cardiologist report was put forward last week so wondering if I might hear something before xmas or not? If its a situation where Dr. says, yes some issues but nothing serious, certainly to impact immigration (cost to healthcare short term) then would that be sufficient for a "pass through" from MAs or will they ask for more tests.

Given the volume at immigration, wish they had a triage system set up so they could more quickly assess and get approved the easier/faster applications faster, vs. it be based on first come through is addressed first. It slows down the process for the simpler cases.

[JandM]

Everybody inside their head wishes for whatever system would give them their visa right now, so all the suspense could be over...

[KiwiChar2]

The problem is the process isn ‘t clear. You don’t know how long it will take or steps required. You ask your immigration advisor what are the considerations and steps and they say...it’s up to the medical advisor. You ask your Dr. Or specialist and they say the same. You come to this forum and receive a post like this which seems unempathic IMHO Jan.

In short, applicants get little/no information. So expect applicants to share their frustrations, anxiety and ask for information to understand the process. That is WHY they are here in this forum. I’d add that it is less transparent now than what to expect from a few years back. This is my SECOND time around for residency. Six years ago it was much more straight forward and seemed more support offered.

[JandM]

You have summed up the situation, that nobody is telling you what you would like to know.

I'm replying that many, many people down the years have this same experience. It's not just you - and by 'you' I mean anyone who is at the same stage. And however much I sympathize with your feelings (and those of all the others), I can't make it be, or seem, any different. I'm just saying what IS, because there's no point in pretending, and SOME people find it helpful to have the information. Don't shoot the messenger. INZ is an arm of the NZ government, and the government can change the rules and tweak the quotas and alter the processing procedures however they like, and the way those actions affect the applicants' emotions adversely doesn't have to concern them (the government) at all, because the applicants aren't their voters. Yes, the system is tougher now, and yes, fewer people are getting through.

You're implying, I think, that I don't empathize with posters who come here wanting information and explanation. This isn't a JOB. I'm a member of the public, sharing what knowledge I've gathered of New Zealand and INZ, in my spare time. You're back, six years after your first go, and here I still am, answering the same kind of questions to at least the sixth cohort of applicants since. You won't find emoji hearts and kisses, though.