I just got my residency permit very recently after 3 weeks of being in the country. It is a one year work visa. I wasn't told that I needed to do a Police Clearance before I came out here, so they just said to do it when I go home for the holidays. Then I can apply when I get back for the 5 year visa, if I decide to extend my stay. That is probably the easiest way to go, if you have not yet gotten your Police Report. Some people have been waiting months for their reports to come through, then you have to wait for the residency permit to come through. This is after the medical exam and fingerprinting. I'm not sure about how my case matches up with many other people's.