Commonwealth of Australia · Processing time
Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100): how long does it take?
By Sam Parks · Last checked:
Partner visa (subclass 309/100 and 820/801) processing is among the slowest in the system: 15–30 months is typical.
How long does the Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100) take to process in Australia?
The typical published decision window is 15 months – 2.5 years from a complete application. Partner visa (subclass 309/100 and 820/801) processing is among the slowest in the system: 15–30 months is typical.
Verified against Home Affairs — Partner visa on 1 June 2026.
Typical wait
15 months – 2.5 years
from complete application
Government fees
AUD 9,365+ — among the most expensive partner visas globally.
Last checked
1 June 2026
What is the Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100)?
Residence visa for spouses and de facto partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.
Partner visas involve a two-stage process: a temporary visa (subclass 820 onshore / 309 offshore) and a permanent visa (801 / 100) typically 2 years later. De facto partners need 12 months of cohabitation or registered relationship evidence.
- Sponsorship: No job offer or employer sponsor is required.
- Settlement: This route can lead to permanent residency in Commonwealth of Australia.
- Typical permit length: Initial provisional to permanent residence.
- Indicative government fees: AUD 9,365+ — among the most expensive partner visas globally.
How to read this estimate
The 15 months – 2.5 years window is the time Home Affairs — Partner visa typically associates with the Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100) — measured from a complete, correctly-lodged application through to a decision, not from when you start gathering documents.
- Collecting documents, getting qualifications recognised, and booking consular appointments all happen before the clock starts.
- If the authority requests more information, the clock pauses until you reply — so a fast, complete response keeps your place in the queue.
- Processing times shift with application volumes and policy changes. The Home Affairs — Partner visa page linked below is the only figure that is current on the day you apply.
Official source
Home Affairs — Partner visa
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/partner-offshore
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100) take to process?+
The typical wait is 15 months – 2.5 years from submitting a complete application. Partner visa (subclass 309/100 and 820/801) processing is among the slowest in the system: 15–30 months is typical. These figures come from Home Affairs — Partner visa and were last verified on 2026-06-01. Always confirm on the primary source before you apply.
When does the 15 months – 2.5 years clock start?+
The clock starts when Home Affairs — Partner visa receives a complete, valid application — not when you begin collecting documents. Gathering evidence, getting qualifications recognised, and booking consular appointments all happen before the window starts.
Is there a way to speed up the decision?+
Some Australia routes offer a priority or premium service for an additional fee. Check the linked primary source for current options — availability changes and varies by consular post.
What makes an application take longer than expected?+
The most common reasons for delays beyond the published window are: missing or incorrect documents, a request for more information (which pauses the clock until you reply), background or medical checks, and consular appointment backlogs in your country. Submitting a complete, well-organised application on day one is the single biggest thing you can do to stay inside the published window.
When should I treat my Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100) application as delayed?+
Wait until you have passed the upper end of the published window (15 months – 2.5 years) before treating it as delayed. At that point, a single polite status enquiry through the official channel is reasonable. Do not chase repeatedly, as this tends to slow a case rather than speed it up.
Next steps
Full visa guide
Eligibility, application steps, fees, and FAQs for the Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100).
All Australia processing times
Compare decision windows across every Australia visa route.
Government fees breakdown
Full itemised fee schedule for the Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100).
Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.