The processing time for an Australian Partner visa is not fixed and can vary based on your location, the relationship type, and the completeness of your application. Let us examine these factors in detail.
Understanding the factors that impact processing times
Are you considering applying for an Australian Partner visa and wondering how long the process might take? In this comprehensive guide, we will cover the key factors influencing the processing of Australian Partner visas.
No matter what stage you are at in your Australian Partner Visa process, the team at Australian Migration Lawyers can help you prepare a complete and robust application to maximise your prospects of a successful outcome. Contact us about your Australian Partner visa application now.
Watch the video below to learn more:
Firstly, what is a Partner visa?
A Partner visa enables Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens to sponsor their foreign partner to become an Australian permanent resident. As a permanent resident, you can live, work and travel in and out of Australia without restriction. You can also access Medicare and are eligible for domestic fees across Australian education institutions. Permanent residents can also apply for Australian citizenship after two years.
How do I know if I’m eligible for a Partner visa?
You can apply for a partner visa if you and your sponsoring Australian partner are ‘spouses’ or are in a ‘de facto relationship’. These are terms of art, so they are specifically defined in migration legislation to mean the following:
- Spouse = married
- De facto partner = have cohabited for at least 12 months or are living separately on a permanent basis.
Some exceptions apply, so contact us to discuss your options if your relationship does not fit the definitions.
You do not have to be in Australia at the time of application. Those already living in Australia on another temporary visa can apply for the onshore partner visa (subclass 820, 801) and those living offshore can apply for an offshore partner visa (subclass 309, 100).
If an applicant and their Australian partner are engaged and the applicant is offshore, they can apply for a Prospective Marriage Visa.
What if I’m migrating with children?
Partner visa applicants can attach their dependent children to their partner visa application. Dependent children will usually be granted a Dependent Child visa while their parents’ permanent visa application is being processed.
Once a partner visa applicant has been granted permanent residency, they can sponsor their dependent children in their own right.
Understanding the two-part Partner visa process
The Partner visa process occurs in two stages.
The first stage is significantly more involved than the second stage. During the first stage, applicants must prove to the Department that they are in a genuine and continuing relationship. The Department looks at four key criteria in making its decision:
- The nature of the household
- The financial aspect of the relationship
- Nature of the commitment
- The social aspect of the relationship
If the Department is satisfied that an applicant and their sponsoring Australian partner are in a genuine and continuing relationship, they will grant the applicant a ‘temporary’ (subclass 820) or ‘provisional’ (subclass 309) partner visa. This visa allows the applicant to live, work and travel, but the applicant is still considered a temporary visa holder for all intents and purposes. Two years after lodging the application, the temporary partner visa holder becomes eligible to apply for a permanent partner visa (stage two).
The second stage requires the temporary partner visa holder and the sponsor to demonstrate to the Department that their relationship is continuing. The Department will grant a permanent partner visa (subclass 801 or 100 for onshore and offshore initial applications, respectively) if satisfied.
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Claim your consultation
If you are interested in learning more about a Partner visa, contact Australian Migration Lawyers for a consultation.
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The following table outlines the main Partner visa subclasses, eligibility, and estimated processing times:
[table]
[thead]
[tr]
[th]Visa Type[/th]
[th]Eligibility[/th]
[th]Onshore/offshore[/th]
[th]Processing time[/th]
[th]Conditions[/th]
[/tr]
[/thead]
[tbody]
[tr]
[td]Partner visa (Permanent) – subclass 801[/td]
[td]Must hold a temporary partner visa (subclass 820) and be in a genuine relationship [/td]
[td]For onshore applicants [/td]
[td]11-30 months [/td]
[td]Must meet character, health, and relationship requirements [/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Partner visa (Temporary) – subclass 820 [/td]
[td]Must be in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. [/td]
[td]For onshore applicants [/td]
[td]12-26 months [/td]
[td]Allows the applicant to stay in Australia while processing the permanent partner visa (subclass 801) [/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Partner (Provisional) visa – subclass 309 [/td]
[td]Must be in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen [/td]
[td]For offshore applicants [/td]
[td]13-25 months [/td]
[td]Allows the applicant to stay in Australia while processing the permanent partner visa (subclass 100) [/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Partner (Migrant) visa -subclass 100 [/td]
[td]Must hold a temporary partner visa (subclass 309) and be in a genuine relationship [/td]
[td]For onshore applicants [/td]
[td]10-20 months [/td]
[td]Must meet character, health, and relationship requirements [/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Prospective Marriage visa – subclass 300 [/td]
[td]Must be engaged to an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen [/td]
[td]For offshore applicants [/td]
[td]12-26 months [/td]
[td]Must marry within 9 months of visa grant and apply for a partner visa (subclass 820) after marriage [/td]
[/tbody]
[/table]
(Source: Department of Home Affairs, 2025)
What factors impact Partner visa processing times?
Case officers process partner visa applications at the Department of Home Affairs, which is currently processing thousands of applications. This backlog is the key factor that can impact the processing time of a partner visa application.
Generally, the more complete your application is at the time of lodgement, the shorter the processing time. This reduces the number of times a case officer has to request and review information from the applicant and sponsor.
Typically, permanent partner visa applications process faster than temporary partner visa applications, given the difference in evidentiary requirements between the two.
Processing duration: A general estimate
The processing times for Partner visas differ depending on whether you choose to apply onshore or offshore. The Department of Home Affairs website currently states that:
- Onshore partner visa applications can take 15-19 months to process
- Offshore applications can take 14-24 months to process
Tip: Submitting a complete application prepared with the help of immigration lawyers can significantly reduce these processing times.
Your source of official information
The Department of Home Affairs is the primary source of official, up-to-date information on Australian partner visas. Please refer to the official Department website for the most current processing times.
Need help with an Australian Partner visa application?
Our team of experienced migration lawyers is here to guide you every step of the way. We understand the complexities of the visa process and can help you create a strong and compelling application that maximises your chances of approval. You do not need to navigate this journey alone; contact us today to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents are required for an Australian Partner visa?
A Partner visa applicant needs to submit basic identity papers, police checks, and health results to get started. Beyond that, they must prove that they have an ongoing relationship with their partner. This means showing how you share your finances as well as household and social life, while also documenting your long-term commitment.
How can I speed up my Partner visa processing time?
While there is no “express” service, you can speed things up by front-loading your application. This involves submitting all evidence, including police and medical checks, immediately upon lodgement. Respond promptly to any Department requests and regularly upload new evidence (like recent travel or joint bills) to your ImmiAccount.
Can I work while waiting for my Partner visa to be approved?
Onshore applicants for the subclass 820 visa are issued a Bridging Visa A (BVA) with work rights. However, these rights only apply once your current substantive visa expires. If your bridging visa has “no work” conditions, you may be able to apply to have them removed by demonstrating financial hardship.
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