Hello Shaun
From memory, and not from my paperwork, I believe we were given 28 days from the date of the request letter from DIMIA to pay the 2nd VAC. That alone does not guarantee the issue of the visa but, as that payment is the final link in the chain, I haven't heard of anyone not being granted the visa thereafter. The grant letter usually follows very shortly after this payment. Your final part will be to get the visa inserted in the pbuttport - we did ours through London. Again, that only takes a few days - your grant letter will explain the procedure.
Again from memory I believe you have 1 year from the date of the MEDICAL to validate the visa in Australia (that's why they advise not to have the medical done until asked for), even if that is only for a "holiday type" visit if you are not ready to actually migrate by that date eg house sale problems, work etc.
I also have 5 years at the back of my mind - which I believe is the outside time by which the migration must take place - I may be wrong on this - and it wasn't relevant for us as we got here as soon as the house business was done.
Diana may be able to confirm this for you from her recent visa grant paperwork.
Hope that helps?
Regards
Jim
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