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Partner Visa Processing Times

Partner visa applications are a major step for many couples who want to live and settle together in Australia. Knowing what to expect of processing times can help give you a good idea about what you might be looking at so you have more clarity as a couple about planning out your life, work and where you will live.

Processing times can vary greatly depending on the applicant's individual circumstance as well as other government priorities. Therefore, knowing the different factors of the application which may affect the duration of each stage are important when determining the length of time it will take to process a partner visa.

The Department of Home Affairs processes partner visas under a two-stage system. Whether you are lodging an onshore application or an offshore application, candidates first apply for a combined provisional/temporary visa and a permanent visa simultaneously. Understanding how long a partner visa takes to process requires assessing both the initial temporary grant and the subsequent assessment that takes place.

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Current Partner Visa Processing Timeframes

Processing timeframes vary significantly depending on whether an application is submitted onshore or offshore and whether it is undergoing Stage 1 (temporary) or Stage 2 (permanent) assessment. Rather than relying on fixed or static numbers, processing durations are evaluated dynamically by the Department of Home Affairs based on recently decided cases.

Visa Subclass & Pathway	Visa Stage	Processing Timeframe Indicator
Subclass 820 / Subclass 801 (Onshore)	Stage 1: Temporary	Subject to live Department of Home Affairs processing updates
Subclass 820 / Subclass 801 (Onshore)	Stage 2: Permanent	Assessed 2 years from initial lodgement date
Subclass 309 / Subclass 100 (Offshore)	Stage 1: Provisional	Subject to live Department of Home Affairs processing updates
Subclass 309 / Subclass 100 (Offshore)	Stage 2: Permanent	Assessed 2 years from initial lodgement date

Subclass 820 / Subclass 801 (Onshore) – Stage 1: Temporary

Processing TimeframeLive updates

Subclass 820 / Subclass 801 (Onshore) – Stage 2: Permanent

Processing Timeframe2 years

Subclass 309 / Subclass 100 (Offshore) – Stage 1: Provisional

Processing TimeframeLive updates

Subclass 309 / Subclass 100 (Offshore) – Stage 2: Permanent

Processing Timeframe2 years

For the most accurate, real-time estimates, always verify current figures directly using the Department of Home Affairs processing tool.

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3 - 6 months installment options available on some visa types.

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for Partner visas for genuine and continuing spousal relationships

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What Factors Affect Processing Times?

Several distinct legal and operational factors influence the time required for the Department of Home Affairs to assess a partner visa application. Understanding these key elements allows applicants to proactively minimise potential processing hurdles.

Application Completeness: Applications submitted with all required supporting documentation which are referred to as "decision-ready" applications are generally processed more efficiently.

Character and Health Checks: Obtaining national police clearances from all relevant jurisdictions and completing required health examinations promptly prevents unnecessary file holds.

Visa Subclass Complexity: Complex immigration histories, previous visa refusals, or intricate relationship structures require more detailed legal assessment by case officers.

Current DHA Caseload: Overall application volumes, seasonal fluctuations, and government policy directives directly impact the speed at which cases are allocated to assessing officers.

What Happens During Processing?

We have learnt that couples that understand the timeline of an application helps couples track their progress with clarity. As a rough guide, the partner visa lifecycle follows three main procedural milestones:

Application Lodged

Upon submitting the combined application and paying the relevant visa application charge through ImmiAccount, an official acknowledgement is issued. Onshore applicants generally receive a Bridging Visa A (BVA) to maintain lawful status in Australia while their application is under review.

Application Under Assessment

A case officer from the Department of Home Affairs is assigned to review the evidence. During this period, background checks, document verification, and relationship evidence reviews are conducted.

Decision Phase

Once all character, health, and relationship criteria are satisfied, the Department of Home Affairs issues a grant notification for the stage 1 stage 2 partner visa progression. For Stage 1, this results in the grant of either the temporary Subclass 820 or provisional Subclass 309 visa. Two years from the initial application date, evidence for the subclass 801 processing time or Subclass 100 permanent stage is evaluated for permanent partner visa processing.

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Common Pitfalls That Lead to Delays

Preparation-stage procedural errors will be detrimental to smooth processing of your application. The most common examples of these types of delays in processing applications include:

Missing or Insufficient Relationship Documents

Failing to provide clear evidence across all four key relationship pillars, including financial aspects, nature of the household, social context, and mutual commitment, which often triggers requests for further information.

Incomplete Application Forms

Discrepancies between information provided in the applicant's form and the sponsor's form can create concerns regarding credibility.

S56 Request Delays

When required documents are omitted at lodgement, the Department of Home Affairs issues a formal request for information under section 56 of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth). An S56 request delay adds weeks or months to overall processing times while the file is paused awaiting response.

How We Can Support Your Visa Journey

Navigating partner visa requirements while waiting through processing periods can be complex. That’s where we come in. We tailor legal services to meet the Department of Home Affairs and Migration Regulations 1994 statutory requirements. Our team will assist in reviewing your partnership documentation, identify any potential compliance issues, and manage the entire application process from lodging your application to achieving Permanent Residency.

Contact our team today to learn more about your journey of building a life in Australia.

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We bring nationally recognised immigration law expertise directly to the clients. Every award listed below was earned through independent assessment, including peer review, client feedback, and workplace audits. When you work with our immigration lawyers, you are working with a firm whose quality has been verified from the outside.

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Doyle's Guide

Leading Immigration Law

Perry Q. Wood is ranked as a Leading Immigration Lawyer in Victoria in Doyle's Guide 2026. Four consecutive years of inclusion in Doyle's Guide establishes a verified, long-term record of excellence and peer recognition in Australian immigration law.

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Best Law Firms Australia

Australian Migration Lawyers is ranked in the 2027 Best Law Firms - Australia edition by Best Lawyers. Firm rankings are determined through client feedback, peer nominations, and overall market reputation. Inclusion confirms the firm delivers top-tier legal services in immigration law at a national level.

2027

Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers in Australia™ Immigration Law

Perry Q. Wood is recognised in the 2027 Best Lawyers in Australia™ edition for Immigration Law. This ranking is awarded exclusively through confidential peer review by senior lawyers in the same practice area. It is the leading global legal directory benchmark.

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We have experience working with LGBTIQ+ visas acorss Australia

Our Success Stories

Schedule 3 Overcome: Double Partner Visa

Partner Visa (820/801)

Melbourne

Schedule 3 Overcome: Double Partner Visa

Timeline: 2 years and 11 months

Cindy Zhao 趙青

3 months ago

Visitor Visa (600)

Sydney

Visitor Visa: Nepal to AU for Christmas

Timeline: 3 months

Benjamin Magill

1 year ago

Skills in Demand (482)

Sydney

Complex Skills in Demand Visa Case

Timeline: 9 months

Cindy Zhao 趙青

1 year ago

View all success stories

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. If you have made an application for a subclass 820 visa whilst still in possession of a substantive visa, your Bridging Visa A will typically include unrestricted work entitlements when it commences. This will enable you to work full-time in Australia during processing.

Processing times for partner visa 309 (offshore) may vary from those for partner visa 820 (onshore), as they are influenced by differing caseloads at various foreign postings and by the Department of Home Affairs' regional prioritisation of processing.

You can access the general time frames through a Department of Home Affairs web-based tool that provides recent data related to completed applications. The estimated timeframe is updated regularly.

Priority processing will only be considered in exceptional circumstances where applicants demonstrate strong and compassionate grounds. Completing an application thoroughly and having all necessary documentation ready, therefore avoiding potential delay, is the best method to ensure that your application receives timely consideration.

Important Information Regarding the Use of the Term 'Partner'

We are an incorporated legal practice which is a corporation for the purposes of the Corporations Act 2001. The use of the title ‘Partner’ by a lawyer in this practice is used to denote seniority and does not and is not intended to signify that the practice is contracting otherwise than as a corporation. For the avoidance of doubt, any such title does not and is not intended to signify that a partnership within the definition of the Partnership Act exists at law.

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Partner Visa Processing Times

Book your free 30 minute consultation

Book your free 30 minute consultation

Current Partner Visa Processing Timeframes

Subclass 820 / Subclass 801 (Onshore) – Stage 1: Temporary

Subclass 820 / Subclass 801 (Onshore) – Stage 2: Permanent

Subclass 309 / Subclass 100 (Offshore) – Stage 1: Provisional

Subclass 309 / Subclass 100 (Offshore) – Stage 2: Permanent

The Australian Migration Lawyers difference

Fixed price

Deal directly with a lawyer

Clear communication

Satisfaction guaranteed

Installments available

50+ years

100% success rate

Experienced

Award winning

What Factors Affect Processing Times?

What Happens During Processing?

Application Lodged

Application Under Assessment

Decision Phase

Common Pitfalls That Lead to Delays

Missing or Insufficient Relationship Documents

Incomplete Application Forms

S56 Request Delays

How We Can Support Your Visa Journey

Award-winning Immigration Lawyers

Leading Immigration Law

Best Law Firms Australia

Best Lawyers in Australia™ Immigration Law

We have experience working with LGBTIQ+ visas acorss Australia

Our Success Stories

Schedule 3 Overcome: Double Partner Visa

Visitor Visa: Nepal to AU for Christmas

Complex Skills in Demand Visa Case

Frequently Asked Questions

Claim your free consultation

Leaving without permanent residency?