Processing Guide
The Two-Stage Processing Timeline
Australian partner visas follow a two-stage structure: temporary then permanent. Understanding the timeline helps you set realistic expectations and avoid unnecessary anxiety. All information sourced from immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
The Big Picture: Temporary → Permanent
When you apply for a partner visa, you are applying for both the temporary and permanent visas at the same time in a single combined application. The Department of Home Affairs processes your application in two stages:
Temporary Visa
Subclass 820 (onshore) or 309 (offshore). This is the first decision — your relationship is assessed as genuine, and you are granted a temporary visa that lets you live, work and study in Australia.
Permanent Visa
Subclass 801 (onshore) or 100 (offshore). You become eligible to be assessed 2 years after your original application date. You must still be in a genuine relationship and provide updated evidence.
Onshore Pathway: 820 → 801 Timeline
Lodge Combined Application
Day 0
You submit a single combined 820/801 application online through ImmiAccount. You must be in Australia when you apply. Include all evidence upfront — do not wait for the case officer to ask.
Bridging Visa A (BVA)
Automatic on lodgement
If you hold a substantive visa when you apply, you are usually granted a Bridging Visa A. It generally takes effect when your current visa ends and keeps you lawful while the application is processed. Check its conditions, including work, in VEVO.
Request for Further Information
If the Department asks
A case officer is assigned to your application. They may request additional evidence or clarification. Respond promptly and comprehensively — delays in your response cause delays in processing.
Temporary Visa Grant (820)
See the processing time guide
If the Department is satisfied your relationship is genuine, your temporary 820 visa is granted. You can live, work and study in Australia and travel while you hold the visa. This is when the 2-year clock for Stage 2 begins — measured from your original application date, not the grant date.
Two-Year Qualifying Period
2 years from application date
The relationship must continue to be genuine throughout this period. Keep collecting evidence — bank statements, lease renewals, shared bills, updated photos. The Department may contact you at any time.
Permanent Stage Assessment
Approximately 2 years after application
The Department invites you to provide updated evidence for the permanent stage (801). You submit documentation showing your relationship remains genuine and ongoing. You do not need to submit a new application — this is part of the same combined application.
Permanent Visa Grant (801)
Assessed from your eligibility date
If satisfied, the Department grants your permanent 801 visa. You become an Australian permanent resident with all associated rights, including a pathway to citizenship (subject to residence requirements).
Offshore Pathway: 309 → 100 Timeline
Lodge Combined Application
Day 0
Submit a combined 309/100 application online through ImmiAccount. You must be outside Australia when you apply. Home Affairs says you can be in or outside Australia when it decides the 309.
Request for Further Information
If the Department asks
A case officer may request additional documents. Respond within the timeframe given.
Temporary Visa Grant (309)
See the processing time guide
Your 309 provisional visa is granted. You can now enter Australia. You can live, work and study in Australia. The 2-year qualifying period begins from your original application date.
Special Case: Double Grant (309+100)
At Stage 1 decision
Home Affairs says it might grant the 100 in less than 2 years if you were in a long-term partner relationship with your sponsor when you applied. This is not guaranteed; it is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Two-Year Qualifying Period
2 years from application date
Continue gathering evidence of your ongoing relationship. You can be in Australia or overseas during this period.
Permanent Visa Grant (100)
Assessed from your eligibility date
The Department assesses your permanent stage. If satisfied, your 100 visa is granted, giving you Australian permanent residency.
Prospective Marriage (300) Timeline
The 300 visa follows a different structure — it is a temporary visa that lets you stay for the period on your grant letter, 9 to 15 months from the grant date. After marriage in Australia, you then apply for the standard 820/801 onshore partner visa.
Lodge 300 Application
Outside Australia
You must be outside Australia when you apply; Home Affairs says you can be in or outside Australia when it decides. You must have met your prospective spouse in person as adults.
300 Visa Grant
See the processing time guide
If you are outside Australia at grant, you must enter by the first entry date on your grant letter. The visa period runs from the grant date.
Enter Australia & Marry
Before the visa period ends
You must marry your prospective spouse before the visa period ends. Apply for the 820/801 while in Australia and before the 300 expires to pay the lower charge (from AUD 1,955).
Apply for 820/801
After marriage
After marriage, you apply for the onshore partner visa (820/801). You follow the standard onshore timeline from this point.
Tips for Keeping Your Timeline on Track
Submit Complete Evidence Upfront
Incomplete applications cause the biggest delays. Submit all evidence with your initial application — do not wait for the case officer to request it.
Respond to RFIs Promptly
If the Department requests further information, respond within the specified timeframe. Delayed responses = delayed processing.
Keep Evidence Up to Date
Continue collecting evidence throughout the process. Upload significant changes (new lease, joint purchases) via ImmiAccount.
Notify of Changes
If your address, passport, or relationship status changes, notify the Department immediately through ImmiAccount.
Check Processing Times Regularly
Global processing times are published on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and are updated regularly. Use them as a guide, not a guarantee.
Get Professional Advice for Complex Cases
If you have health, character, or previous visa refusal issues, consult a registered migration agent early — Home Affairs notes that complex cases may take longer.
Timeline FAQ
Can the 2-year qualifying period be shortened? +
Generally no. The two-year qualifying period for permanent stage eligibility is set by migration regulations. However, in limited circumstances (long-term relationships of 3+ years, or 2+ years with dependent children) the Department may grant both stages simultaneously — this is the "double grant" and is assessed on a case-by-case basis at the initial decision stage.
What happens if my temporary visa expires before the permanent stage is decided? +
The temporary 820 visa does not have a fixed expiry date in the traditional sense — it remains valid until a decision is made on your permanent 801 application. You are lawful as long as you hold the 820 visa or a bridging visa associated with your application.
Can I travel while my application is being processed? +
If you are waiting on a Bridging Visa A, apply for a Bridging Visa B before you leave Australia. Once the 820 is granted, Home Affairs says you can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while you hold it. 309 applicants can visit Australia on another valid visa while waiting. Check your visa conditions before booking travel.
What do the published processing times measure? +
Home Affairs says its processing time guide is based on how long it has taken to process recently decided applications. It is a guide only and does not guarantee when your application will be decided.
Source: Department of Home Affairs — Global Visa Processing Times