How Long Does a Partner Visa Take in Australia?

Where can I find the current partner visa processing time?

The current partner visa processing time is published by the Department of Home Affairs in its online visa processing time guide, which shows a separate figure for each subclass. The published figure describes how long the Department took to finalise most recent applications, not a promise about any single case. Because the figure changes, applicants should check the Department's guide directly rather than relying on older numbers repeated elsewhere. Our article on partner visa processing times explains how to read the published guide.

Why does the partner visa have two processing stages?

The partner visa has two processing stages because the temporary visa is decided first and the permanent visa is generally assessed two years after the combined application was lodged. In Australia these are the Subclass 820 and the Subclass 801, and outside Australia they are the Subclass 309 and the Subclass 100. The total time from lodgement to permanent residence is therefore longer than the first decision. Our article on the partner visa two-stage process explains each step.

What makes one partner visa take longer than another?

One partner visa takes longer than another mainly because of missing evidence, health or character issues, an earlier visa history that needs checking, or concerns about whether the relationship is genuine. Each request for information adds time, and so does any delay by the applicant in replying. Offshore applications can also take longer where documents must be obtained from other countries or where the applicant's earlier travel history needs to be verified. Our article on partner visa processing delays sets out the common causes, and our article on the section 56 request explains how to answer a request quickly and completely.

Can a partner visa be processed faster?

A partner visa can be processed faster in practice when the application is complete at lodgement, with health examinations, police certificates and strong relationship evidence already provided. The Department may also give priority in limited circumstances under its processing priorities. A request for priority should explain the compelling circumstances and attach evidence of them, because a request without evidence is unlikely to change the order in which the application is decided. Our article on partner visa priority processing explains when a request for priority may be considered.

How long does the Subclass 820 take compared with the permanent stage?

The Subclass 820 is decided on its own timeline after lodgement, while the Subclass 801 is generally assessed two years after the combined application was lodged. If the Subclass 820 is still undecided at that point, the Department may assess both stages together. Our article on Subclass 820 visa processing time explains the onshore timeline in more detail, and our page on the Subclass 820 visa covers the visa itself.

How can My Migration Lawyers help a partner visa move without avoidable delay?

My Migration Lawyers prepares partner visa applications so that the Department has the evidence it needs at the start, which removes the most common causes of avoidable delay. For applications already lodged, the firm checks what is on file, answers requests within the deadline and raises compelling circumstances where priority may be justified. Couples concerned about timing can speak with our partner visa lawyers about where their application stands.