Partner Visa Processing Times in Australia for Subclasses 820, 309, 801, 300, and 100

A partner visa allows Australian residents to live with their spouse or de facto partner who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate a genuine and ongoing relationship with their Australian partner.

Partner visas provide the ability to work, study, and reside in Australia. They also allow eligible visa holders to sponsor family members and eventually apply for Australian citizenship.

Eligibility Requirements for a Partner Visa

To bring a spouse to Australia, applicants must obtain a Partner Visa. Key requirements include proving a committed and authentic relationship with the Australian partner. Authorities closely examine the information provided; any discrepancies or signs of fraud could result in rejection or an investigation. Other eligibility criteria include:

• Cohabitation: The applicant and their partner must live together.
• Relationship Duration: The couple must have been together for at least one year at the time of application.
• Character and Health Standards: Both the applicant and the partner must meet Australian character and health requirements.

Processing Times for Partner Visas in Australia

Processing times vary based on factors such as the quality and completeness of the application, individual circumstances, and responsiveness to information requests. Partnering with an experienced migration agent can help expedite and professionally manage the application process.

Subclass 820 Partner Visa Processing Time

For onshore applications, the Department of Home Affairs estimates that processing for the Subclass 820 Partner Visa can take between 23 and 30 months. The Subclass 820 visa is a temporary visa, typically granted while awaiting eligibility for permanent residency via the Subclass 801 visa, which generally requires a two-year waiting period from the initial application.

Subclass 801 Partner Visa Processing Time

The processing time for the permanent Subclass 801 visa, the second stage of the onshore partner visa, is estimated to take between 9 and 14 months after the Subclass 820 visa is granted.

Subclass 309 Partner Visa Processing Time

For offshore applicants, the Subclass 309 temporary Partner Visa processing time is approximately 21 to 28 months, with an additional waiting period of 5 to 6 months post-medical checks, provided there are no exceptional delays.

Subclass 300 Partner Visa Processing Time

The Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa allows an applicant to enter Australia to marry their partner, after which they can apply for a Partner Visa. Processing for this offshore visa typically takes 25 to 34 months.

Subclass 100 Partner Visa Processing Time

For the permanent Subclass 100 Partner Visa, which is the second stage of the offshore partner visa process, processing times are estimated to range from 19 to 27 months.

Factors Influencing Partner Visa Processing Times

Each partner visa application is assessed individually, and actual processing times may vary based on:

• Application Completeness: Ensuring all required documents and information are submitted.
• Responsiveness to Information Requests: Promptly providing additional information when requested by the Department of Home Affairs.
• Background Checks: Processing may be delayed for background checks on national security, character, and health.
• Migration Program Quotas: Processing may be impacted by the number of visa slots allocated for permanent migration visas.
• Citizenship Processing: The time taken for citizenship approval, ceremonies, and certificates also impacts processing timelines.

Tips to Speed Up Partner Visa Processing

To help streamline the processing of your Partner Visa application:

1. Provide Accurate Information: Ensure all personal and character information is accurate and complete.
2. Submit Relationship Evidence: Include evidence demonstrating a genuine, long-term relationship.
3. Meet Character Requirements: Both the applicant and the sponsor should meet character standards, including having no recent history of sponsorship.
4. Financial Stability: Include evidence of financial capacity, such as savings, investments, and bank statements.
5. Document Verification: Check that all submitted documents are valid and correctly certified.

Conclusion

While living in Australia can be fulfilling, many immigrants wish to bring their parents over as well. However, bringing parents to Australia can be challenging due to visa complexities. There are various visa subclasses for parents, including Parent Visas (103, 804), Contributory Parent Visas (143, 173, 884, 864), and Sponsored Temporary Parent Visa (870). Each case is unique, and navigating the best options depends on the applicant’s circumstances and Australian visa regulations.

An experienced migration agent in perth can offer tailored guidance, helping you understand which visa option best suits your situation.