Partner Visa Processing Time Australia: 2026 Timelines for Every Subclass

Partner visa processing time is one of the first things couples ask about — and one of the hardest numbers to pin down. The honest answer is that it depends on which subclass you apply for, where you lodge from, how well-prepared your application is, and how busy the Department of Home Affairs is at that moment.

This guide breaks down the current partner visa processing time for every subclass in 2026. You’ll see the median wait times, the realistic range, what makes some cases faster than others, and the concrete steps you can take to avoid the most common delays.

If you’re partway through the process — or still weighing up whether to apply — this is the clearest picture we can give you without sitting down for a one-on-one assessment.

How Long Does a Partner Visa Take in Australia? (Quick Answer)

As at early 2026, partner visa processing time in Australia ranges from about 12 months to over 24 months for the temporary stage, depending on the subclass and individual circumstances. The permanent stage is assessed separately, usually around 6 months after it becomes eligible for assessment (approximately two years after the original lodgement).

Here are the headline figures for the main partner visa subclasses:

• Subclass 820 (onshore temporary): median around 17 months, range 12–24+ months
• Subclass 801 (onshore permanent): assessed roughly 6 months after eligibility
• Subclass 309 (offshore provisional): approximately 12–24 months
• Subclass 100 (offshore permanent): assessed roughly 6 months after eligibility
• Subclass 300 (Prospective Marriage/fiancé visa): approximately 12–24 months

Remember: these are estimates based on historical decision data published by the Department of Home Affairs. They are not guarantees, and individual timelines can fall well outside these ranges when applications are incomplete or when extra checks are needed.

Partner Visa Processing Time Comparison Table (2026)

Here’s every partner visa subclass side by side, so you can see how your pathway stacks up:

Subclass	Stage	Applicant Location	Estimated Processing Time (2026)	Permanent Stage
820	Temporary	In Australia	Median ~17 mo (range 12–24+ mo)	Subclass 801
801	Permanent	In Australia	~6 mo after eligibility	Permanent Residence
309	Provisional	Outside Australia	Approx 12–24 months	Subclass 100
100	Permanent	In/out of Australia	~6 mo after eligibility	Permanent Residence
300	Single stage	Outside Australia	Approx 12–24 months	Lodge 820/801 after marriage
461	NZ Family	In/out of Australia	2–6 months	No direct PR pathway

Source: Department of Home Affairs publicly available processing data, aligned with AustraliaMigrate’s internal 2026 figures. Check immi.homeaffairs.gov.au for the latest official estimates.

Subclass 820 Processing Time — Onshore Temporary Partner Visa

The Subclass 820 processing time is the most-asked-about figure in Australian partner migration because it covers couples where one person is already in Australia. As at 2026, the median wait for a Subclass 820 decision sits at roughly 17 months, with a realistic range of 12 to 24 months or more, depending on your case.

A small number of straightforward applications — strong relationship evidence, no character issues, no third-country documents — are decided faster. A meaningful number also takes longer than 24 months, particularly where the Department issues a Request for Further Information (RFI) or where medical or character checks are complex.

While you wait, the Subclass 820 gives you real practical benefits:

• You remain in Australia lawfully on a Bridging Visa A, once your substantive visa expires
• You have full, unrestricted work rights from the date you lodge
• You have Medicare access from the date of lodgement
• You can study at any Australian institution

If you need to travel overseas during the wait, you must apply for a Bridging Visa B before you leave. Don’t skip this — leaving Australia on a Bridging Visa A without a BVB ends your bridging status and creates serious problems.

Why Subclass 820 Processing Time Varies

The biggest single factor is the evidence package you lodge on day one. Applications the Department calls “decision-ready” move through faster because the case officer doesn’t need to pause and ask for more information. Incomplete applications can sit in a queue for months before anyone looks at them again after an RFI is issued.

Subclass 801 Processing Time — Onshore Permanent Partner Visa

The Subclass 801 processing time is shorter and more predictable than the Subclass 820 because you’ve already passed the relationship test once. The 801 is assessed approximately 2 years after you lodged your original combined 820/801 application, and a decision is usually made within around 6 months of the permanent stage becoming eligible.

Some long-term couples have both the 820 and the 801 granted on the same day. This can happen when the Department assesses the original application after the 2-year mark has already passed, and the relationship clearly qualifies for immediate permanent residence. It is not guaranteed, but it does happen — particularly for couples who can show many years of shared history at the time of initial lodgement.

For the Subclass 801 assessment, the Department wants to see that your relationship is still genuine and continuing — not that it was genuine two years ago. That means you should keep building relationship evidence across all four evidence categories (financial, household, social, commitment) throughout the waiting period.

Subclass 309 Processing Time — Offshore Provisional Partner Visa

The Subclass 309 processing time currently sits at around 12 to 24 months, with meaningful variation between countries. Applications lodged from some posts move faster than others, partly because of local document availability and partly because of the workload at different Australian embassies and high commissions.

One detail that surprises a lot of applicants: the Subclass 309 applicant must generally be outside Australia at the time of the visa decision. You can visit Australia on a separate visitor visa during the wait (if your other visa conditions allow), but you need to plan ahead so you aren’t stuck inside Australia when the 309 is ready to be finalised.

Once the Subclass 309 is granted, you can enter Australia and start living with your partner. You get:

• Full work rights from the date the 309 is granted
• Medicare access after you arrive in Australia
• The right to study
• The ability to travel in and out of Australia freely while the visa is valid

Why Offshore Applications Sometimes Move Differently

Offshore processing is often affected by:

• Document sourcing — obtaining police checks and civil documents from some countries takes months
• Health examinations — approved panel physicians may have limited appointments in some locations
• Additional character checks — required where the applicant has lived in multiple countries for 12+ months since age 16
• Embassy workload — varies by region and time of year

Subclass 100 Processing Time — Offshore Permanent Partner Visa

The Subclass 100 processing time follows the same logic as the Subclass 801: you’ve already passed the relationship test when your 309 was granted, so the permanent stage is largely a confirmation that your relationship is still genuine.

The permanent stage becomes eligible for assessment approximately 2 years after you lodged your original combined 309/100 application. The Department then typically makes a decision within around 6 months of eligibility. Unlike the Subclass 309, you don’t need to be outside Australia when the 100 is granted — you can be anywhere.

For long-term couples who were together for several years before lodging, the Subclass 100 can sometimes be granted at the same time as the Subclass 309. This is case-by-case and based on the strength of the original application.

Subclass 300 Processing Time — Prospective Marriage (Fiancé) Visa

The Subclass 300 processing time for engaged couples sits at around 12 to 24 months as at 2026. The Subclass 300 is a single-stage visa — it doesn’t have a permanent component. Once granted, you have 9 to 15 months to enter Australia, marry your partner, and then lodge the onshore partner visa (Subclass 820/801) at a reduced government fee.

A few important points about the Subclass 300 timing:

• You must have met your fiancé(e) in person before lodging (online-only relationships don’t qualify)
• Your fiancé(e) must be outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is granted
• There’s no Medicare access on the Subclass 300 — budget for private health insurance for the fiancé period
• Marriage must occur within the validity period of the visa

After you marry and lodge the Subclass 820/801, you’ll then be in the onshore queue and subject to the Subclass 820 processing time outlined above. So in total, engaged couples generally need to plan for a multi-year pathway to permanent residence, not a shorter one.

Why Partner Visa Processing Times Vary So Much

If you speak to five couples who all lodged partner visas in the same month, they’ll likely have five different timelines. Here’s why:

Application Completeness

The single biggest avoidable cause of delay. An application with all four evidence categories well-documented, correct forms, current police checks and completed medicals moves through faster than one where the Department has to stop and ask for more.

Evidence Quality

Thin relationship evidence — one or two documents per category — often leads to an RFI, which can add 3–9 months to your wait. Strong evidence across financial, household, social and commitment aspects reduces that risk dramatically.

Department Workload

Processing volume rises and falls with staffing, policy changes and migration program settings. The Department focuses resources on older cases first, which affects newer applications.

Country of Lodgement (Offshore Cases)

Processing times at the Manila, Islamabad and Beijing posts differ from those at London or Washington. Local document availability, check requirements and embassy capacity all matter.

Health and Character Outcomes

A medical that flags a condition requiring follow-up (tuberculosis screening is the most common) pauses processing until the treating doctor issues clearance. A police check that reveals a prior offence triggers a character assessment, which takes time.

Case Complexity

Prior visa refusals, previous partner sponsorships, long-distance relationships, and applications involving family violence provisions all require additional assessment.

 

Not sure where your application sits on the timeline? Book a free 45-minute partner visa consultation with a MARA-registered migration agent. We’ll review your situation, flag any risks before you lodge, and give you a realistic timeline. → Call +61 2 9411 6000   •   Book consultation online

Step-by-Step Partner Visa Process and Timeline

Here’s what the full pathway looks like from first consultation to permanent residence:

Step 1 — Eligibility Check (Week 1–2)

A MARA-registered migration agent reviews your situation: where you are, where your partner is, whether you’re married or de facto, your visa history, and any risk factors. This is where you confirm which subclass applies and whether you should proceed.

Step 2 — Pathway Plan and Quote (Week 2–3)

You receive a written plan covering which visa to lodge, what evidence you need, how long to expect, and what it will cost. This is the stage to ask questions and understand the full picture before paying the government fee.

Step 3 — Evidence Gathering (Month 1–3)

You pull together relationship evidence across all four categories: identity documents, police clearances from every country lived in for 12+ months since age 16, a health examination with an approved panel physician, NAATI-certified translations of non-English documents, and Form 888 statutory declarations from friends and family.

Step 4 — Application Lodgement (Month 3)

Your agent prepares and lodges the application through ImmiAccount. The non-refundable government fee (approximately AUD $9,365 for a primary applicant as at the 2025–26 financial year) is paid at this point.

Step 5 — Bridging Visa Activates (Immediately — Onshore Only)

If you lodged onshore, a Bridging Visa A is automatically granted. You keep your current visa rights until it expires, then the Bridging Visa A takes over.

Step 6 — Assessment and Possible RFI (Month 4–18)

The Department begins case assessment. If anything is missing or unclear, you’ll receive a Request for Further Information. Respond fast and thoroughly — slow responses add months.

Step 7 — Temporary Visa Decision (Month 12–24)

For most applications, the 820 or 309 is granted within this window. You can now live, work and study in Australia on a temporary basis.

Step 8 — Permanent Stage Eligibility (Approximately 24 Months After Lodgement)

About two years after you first lodged, the permanent stage becomes eligible for assessment. You provide updated relationship evidence showing the relationship is still genuine.

Step 9 — Permanent Visa Grant (Month 30–36)

The Subclass 801 or 100 is granted, giving you permanent residence.

Common Mistakes That Delay Partner Visa Processing

These mistakes cost applicants months of waiting and, in some cases, refusals. All of them are avoidable with care or professional support.

Lodging With Thin Evidence

Two or three documents per evidence category is not enough. The Department wants to see a pattern of joint life across financial, household, social and commitment aspects. Thin evidence leads to RFIs, refusals, or both.

Inconsistent Dates and Details

If you say you started living together in March 2023 and your sponsor says April 2023, a case officer notices. Cross-check every form and statement before you lodge.

Applying On the Wrong Visa Subclass

Lodging onshore when you should have lodged offshore (or vice versa) results in an invalid application and a lost government fee. This is one of the most expensive mistakes possible.

Ignoring an 8503 ‘No Further Stay’ Condition

If your current visa has condition 8503, you can’t lodge onshore without a waiver. Check your conditions in VEVO before you do anything.

Uncertified Document Translations

Any document not in English must be translated by a NAATI-certified translator. Google Translate, bilingual friends, and “good enough” translations don’t meet the standard.

Not Responding to RFIs Fast Enough

An RFI gives you a specified window to respond. Slow responses can push your case to the back of the queue or, worse, trigger a refusal.

Not Updating Contact Details

If you move during processing and don’t update ImmiAccount, the Department can’t reach you. Worse, an unreported address change can look like the relationship has ended.

Overlooking Prior Sponsorship Limits

An Australian sponsor can generally only sponsor two partners in a lifetime, with a minimum five-year gap. Sponsoring outside these limits leads to refusal.

Cost Breakdown While You Wait

The government fee isn’t the only cost of a partner visa. Here’s what a single-applicant case typically looks like:

Cost Item	Estimated Cost (AUD)	Notes
Government application fee (primary applicant)	~$9,365	2025–26 fee; non-refundable; covers both stages. Increases 1 July each year.
Additional adult applicant	~$4,685	Per adult included
Additional child (under 18)	~$2,345	Per child
Medical examination (adult)	~$350–$500	Per person
Medical examination (child)	~$250–$350	Per child
Police clearance certificates	~$50–$200 per country	Every country lived in 12+ months since age 16
Biometrics	~$55–$90 per person	Required for some nationalities
NAATI-certified translations	~$80–$200 per document	Required for non-English documents
Registered migration agent fees	~$3,000–$6,000+	Optional but strongly recommended
Typical single-applicant total	AUD $12,000–$16,000	Including all disbursements and agent fees

Government fees are reviewed by the Department of Home Affairs and usually increase on 1 July each year. Always confirm the current fee on the Department’s website before lodging, and be aware that fees are non-refundable even if the visa is refused or withdrawn.

Can You Speed Up a Partner Visa?

For most applicants, there’s no way to pay for faster processing. Partner visas don’t have a priority processing fee like some employer-sponsored visas do.

That said, two things can meaningfully reduce your wait:

1. Lodge a Decision-Ready Application

A “decision-ready” application is one the case officer can decide on the first time they open it — no RFIs needed. This is the single biggest factor within your control. It can realistically take months off your wait compared with an incomplete application.

2. Apply for Priority Consideration in Exceptional Circumstances

The Department may prioritise a case where there are compelling and compassionate circumstances — a medical emergency, a pregnancy, or serious family hardship. This is not guaranteed and not appropriate for most cases, but if your circumstances genuinely qualify, it’s worth a formal request with supporting evidence.

What doesn’t work:

• Calling Home Affairs to ask them to speed things up
• Lodging additional documents weekly to “remind” the case officer
• Applying for a second visa on top of the first

The most reliable path to a faster decision is a well-prepared first lodgement with strong evidence and responsive case management.

Your Rights and Options During Partner Visa Processing

While you wait, you have real rights and genuine options — don’t treat the waiting period as dead time.

On the Bridging Visa A (onshore):

• Live and work in Australia without restriction
• Access Medicare from the date of lodgement
• Study at any institution
• Travel overseas with a Bridging Visa B (must be granted before departure)

If your relationship ends due to family violence:

You may still be eligible for permanent residence under Australia’s family violence provisions. These apply even if your sponsor withdraws their sponsorship. Contact a registered migration agent immediately if this affects you.

If you receive a refusal:

You can apply for merit review at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) within the timeframe specified in your refusal letter — typically 28 to 70 days. Miss the window and you lose appeal rights.

Frequently Asked Questions About Partner Visa Processing Time

How long does a partner visa take in Australia in 2026?

As at early 2026, partner visa processing time ranges from approximately 12 months to 24+ months for the temporary stage (Subclass 820 or 309). The median for a Subclass 820 sits at around 17 months. The permanent stage (Subclass 801 or 100) is assessed roughly 6 months after it becomes eligible, approximately two years after the original lodgement.

Which partner visa has the fastest processing time?

The Subclass 461 (New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa) has the shortest processing time at around 2 to 6 months, but it’s only available to family members of eligible New Zealand citizens and doesn’t lead directly to permanent residence. Among the standard partner visa pathways, processing times are broadly similar, though well-prepared onshore applications can move faster than offshore ones.

Why is my partner visa taking so long?

The most common reasons are: an incomplete application, pending police checks from overseas, medical examinations requiring follow-up, a Request for Further Information the Department has issued, or simply queue volume. If it’s been well beyond the published median for your subclass, ask your migration agent to check ImmiAccount for status changes or outstanding requests.

Can I work while my partner visa is being processed?

Yes. Onshore applicants on a Bridging Visa A have full work rights from the date of lodgement. Offshore applicants get work rights once the Subclass 309 is granted. There are no restrictions on employer, role or hours.

What’s the difference between partner visa processing time and decision time?

Processing time is the total period from lodgement to decision. Decision time sometimes refers only to the final assessment once all documents are complete. The Department publishes processing time data based on when recently decided applications were lodged, so the figures you see reflect historical outcomes rather than a guarantee for your case.

Does using a migration agent speed up partner visa processing?

A registered migration agent can’t make the Department process your application faster. But they can help you lodge a decision-ready application, which reduces the risk of RFIs and refusals — both of which add months. In practice, well-prepared applications are often decided well inside the published median.

Can I travel while my partner’s visa is being processed?

Onshore applicants need to apply for a Bridging Visa B before travelling overseas. Without a BVB, your Bridging Visa A ceases the moment you leave Australia and you cannot re-enter on it. Offshore Subclass 309 applicants can travel freely, but must be outside Australia when the visa is granted.

What happens if my partner visa is refused?

You can lodge a merit review application with the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) within the deadline in your refusal notice — typically 28 days for onshore applications. Seek advice from a registered migration agent immediately, as missing the deadline permanently removes your review rights.

Is the partner visa processing time getting longer or shorter?

Processing times shift across the year based on the Department’s workload and migration program settings. Published figures have trended downward in some subclasses and upward in others over the past 12 months. The most accurate source is always the current Home Affairs Global Visa Processing Times tool.

Start Your Partner Visa Application With Confidence

The partner visa is one of the most important — and expensive — applications a couple will make in Australia. A non-refundable government fee of more than $9,000 is on the line, and the wait can stretch beyond two years. Getting it right the first time matters.

AustraliaMigrate’s MARA-registered migration agents have guided hundreds of couples through the partner visa process. Our team knows what case officers look for, where applications typically fall short, and how to build a case that gives your relationship the best chance of a clean, on-time decision.

Not sure where your application sits on the timeline? Book a free 45-minute partner visa consultation with a MARA-registered migration agent. We’ll review your situation, flag any risks before you lodge, and give you a realistic timeline. → Call +61 2 9411 6000   •   Book consultation online