[MotherBear]

Have you spoken to your Case Officer about the situation and pointed out that you?re running out of time? If NZIS asked for validation of the quals and City and Guilds have sent a reply back, it should be well underway. Perhaps your CO can check to make sure that the letter from C and G has been received and then can let you know how much longer it will take for a decision to be made.

It?s always a bit dodgy with having the medicals done in case there?s some sort of hold-up before you get your decision. The medicals only last for 3 months and, if you run out of time, you?d have to have them done again. If your CO can throw some light on whether things are progressing satisfactorily and a decision is imminent, then it might give you the green light to go ahead with the medicals.

It certainly won?t hurt to give them a prod and I?m sure they?re well used to it. Better to check they?ve received the letter from C and G rather than sit worrying about what?s happening. If your husband is 56 in a few months, I don't know whether it will go in his favour that he applied before he was 56. After all, if he reaches his birthday before the decision comes through, it will be down to NZIS and their drawn-out procedures rather than your hubbies fault.