Expanding Australia’s Trade and Investment Relations with North Africa

Appendix E – Appendix E - Visa processing times: Australian Embassy, Cairo¹

Visa subclass	Number finalised 2004/5	Processing Times (Days)				Service Standard
Visa subclass	Number finalised 2004/5	25% Processed	Median	75% Processed	90% Processed	Service Standard
Visitors
456 Business (Short Stay)	604	8	12	18	28	0.5 month
675 Tourist ( Short Stay)	1,377	7	11	17	30	0.5 month
679 Sponsored Family Visitor	113	16	28	50	104	1 month
686 Tourist (Long Stay)	358	5	12	22	43	1 month
Students
570 Indpependent ELICOS Sector	96	48	75	95	130	Egyptian nationals 1 week
571 Schools Sector	2	71	88	104	104
572 Vocational Education and Education	94	40	73	101	129
573 Higher Education Sector	25	23	71	85	109	Others 2 months

In those cases where standard processing times were exceeded, the reasons generally related to issues outside of the post's control, including where:

investigation of bona fides was required in those caseloads where fraud is prevalent;
applicants were required to undergo medical and/or x-ray examinations - especially among the over 70s age group;
applicants were subject to exclusion periods;
applicants did not provide relevant documentation - migration legislation provides for a 70 day response period to invitations to provide further information; and
there was a requirement for character/security checking.

1	DIMIA, Submission No. 17, p. 11. Back