Introduction
For many couples, living together in Australia is a dream come true, but it takes patience, persistence, and time. In order to live and eventually settle permanently in Australia, the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen may apply for a Partner Visa.
A partner visa is more complex and thorough than a visitor or temporary visa, since it is intended to establish authenticity and continuity. A temporary visa must be obtained first, and then permanent residency must be obtained. An applicant’s primary concern is:
“How long will it take for my partner visa to be processed? ”
Answering this question isn’t as easy as it seems. Process time varies from just under a year to more than two years depending on the subclass, the completeness of the application, and the country of application. In this guide, we explain how long each visa subclass takes to process, the factors that affect the speed, and strategies to avoid unnecessary delays.
A brief overview of partner target subclasses
Onshore and offshore applications are available for the Australian Partner Visa program. There are temporary and permanent stages to each.
Subclass 820 – Temporary Partner Visa (Onshore)
This is for applicants who are already in Australia on another visa. Meanwhile, they can remain in the country until the permanent stage is reached.
Visa for Permanent Partners (Onshore) – Subclass 801
The 820 visa has now reached its permanent stage. After two years, a temporary partner visa holder becomes eligible, but processing times may vary.
Temporary Partnership Visa (Offshore) – Subclass 309
This form should be used by applicants from outside Australia. Applicants and their partners may travel and live in Australia while awaiting the permanent stage.
Subclass 100 – Visa for Permanent Partner (Offshore)
This is the permanent stage following the 309 visa. It is also important to consider the genuineness of the relationship and the length of the relationship before applying for permanent residency.
Prospective Marriage Visas – Immigration Subclass 300
As a result of this visa, you will be able to marry your Australian partner once you arrive in the country. Afterwards, the partner visa application can be submitted.
2025 estimated processing times
As of 2025, the following ranges are commonly reported by the Department of Home Affairs:
- Visa for Temporary Partner, Subclass 820 (Onshore): Eight to 21 months
- Visa for Permanent Partners (subclass 801): 6 to 24 months after granting the 820
- Visa type 309 (Temporary Offshore Partner Visa): 12-24 months
- Subclass 100 (offshore permanent partner visa): 6 to 25 months after granting 309
- The Subclass 300 (Prospective Marriage Visa) is valid from 12 to 26 months
The full partner visa process (from temporary to permanent stage) can take anywhere from 12 months to over 3 years.
What causes such a difference in processing times
There is no arbitrary reason for these broad ranges. Many factors influence a case’s assessment.
1. The application’s completeness
Incomplete applications, inaccurate details, or inadequate evidence of a relationship require applicants to submit more documents, delaying the application process for months.
2. Demonstration of strong relationships
Relationship genuineness is essential to obtaining a visa. Applications with joint leases, financial accounts, photographs, and travel records are processed faster. When evidence is lacking or contradictory, further investigation is necessary.
3. Character and health checks
Medical exams and police certificates are required. Applicants who have lived in more than one country may have their applications delayed if additional checks are needed.
4. The complexity of the case
It can take a long time to process a visa application if a visa cancellation history applies, if there is a blended family, if there was a prior marriage, or if there are dependent children.
5. Location of the application
A longer wait time may be experienced by applicants from countries where verification of documents takes longer.
6. Policy shifts and immigration workload
There are many factors that affect timelines, such as backlogs, resource allocations, and government policies. The priority given to skilled migration slows down family visas in some cases.
7. Responsiveness of applicants
There can be a big difference between months of waiting and years of waiting depending on how quickly applicants provide requested information.
Explaining the Two-Stage Process
Since partner visas are structured as a two-stage process, they take longer than other visas.
- Stage 820 or 309: Temporary
- An approval that allows the applicant and their partner to live in Australia temporarily.
- Assists in obtaining work rights, access to Medicare, and student rights.
- This stage is usually valid until a permanent stage is decided.
- Stage 801 or 100: Permanent
- The assessment took place around two years after the initial application.
- It is necessary to provide proof that the relationship is still genuine and ongoing.
- The program provides permanent residency with a pathway to citizenship.
This two-stage process means living in Australia for months or years on a temporary visa before receiving permanent residency approval.
Many people live in Australia on a temporary visa for months or years before receiving permanent residency approval.
The Real Meaning of “Processing Time”
Usually, the Department of Home Affairs publishes processing times based on the time it takes to process 75% or 90% of applications.
As an example, if the Subclass 820 is estimated to take 8–21 months to complete:
- Within 21 months, 75% of applicants are approved.
- Due to complexity or incomplete applications, the remaining 25% may take longer.
Thus, published timelines are averages and do not guarantee your personal outcome.
An example of an effective timeline
A couple in 2025 where one partner is an Australian citizen and the other is a Nigerian citizen might be a good example.
- 1–3 months: Subclass 309 application lodged offshore, medicals and biometrics are submitted.
- 6-15th month: Case officer requests additional relationship evidence; processing continues.
- Month 18–22: Subclass 309 is granted. Australia is the destination of the applicant’s trip.
- Month 36-40: After two years of holding the 309, the permanent Subclass 100 was assessed.
- 42 to 48 months: Subclass 100 is granted, providing permanent residency.
Timeline: approximately 3.5 to 4 years.
In partner visas, this is not uncommon, demonstrating the importance of thorough and early preparation.
Delay reduction methods
Taking proactive steps to prevent unnecessary delays is the best way to reduce government backlogs.
- Complete the application – Make sure all forms and documents are filled out correctly before lodging.
- Evidence of strong relationship – Include financial records, joint leases, photos, messages, and third-party statements.
- Be consistent – Make sure all forms and supporting documents are identical.
- Get your health and police checks done early – This prevents your case from stalling later on.
- Keep your records up-to-date – If your circumstances change, notify immigration immediately.
- Respond to requests quickly – Delays are often caused by applicants taking weeks to respond.
- Organize your documents professionally – A clear and structured submission will make the case officer’s job much easier.
The benefits of waiting
Although partner visas can take a long time, applicants have the following rights while they wait:
- Onshore (subclass 820 holders): Access to Medicare, right to work, and right to study.
- Offshore (Subclass 309 holders): Can enter and live in Australia once granted, with full work rights.
- During their waiting period, onshore applicants usually receive bridging visas which permit them to remain legally in Australia.
Costs and fees
A fee increase is also an important factor in deciding whether to apply early for a visa. Several thousand Australian dollars will be charged for partner visa applications as of 2025 (over AUD $8,000 for most main applicants), with additional costs for dependents. Among the other expenses are:
- Obtaining medical attention
- Clearances from the police
- Translations of documents (if necessary)
- An agent’s fees (if you use one)
The most common mistakes that delay applications
- Evidence of weak or inconsistent relationships is submitted.
- Not providing certified translations of non-English documents.
- Refusing to provide immigration with any additional information.
- A history of cohabitation or large gaps in financial records.
- The refusal of previous visas or the overstay of previous visas are not addressed honestly.
The path to citizenship
A permanent resident becomes a permanent resident once the permanent stage is granted (Subclass 801 or 100). Citizenship can be obtained after four years of lawful residence including one year as a permanent resident.
Partner visas provide couples with a secure and permanent future in Australia despite the long process.
In conclusion
Australia Partner Visa application processing time varies based on subclass, circumstances, and application quality. Obtaining a temporary visa can take from 8 to 21 months, offshore visas from 12 to 24 months, and permanent stages from 1 to 2 years.
In many cases, this means a 2–4 year wait from the time of application until permanent residency is granted. This is a lengthy process, but applicants can reduce it by preparing strong, complete, and consistent applications and responding to requests as quickly as possible.
This process requires patience, but the reward is significant: the opportunity to live together in Australia permanently, eventually gaining full citizenship rights.