Australia Visa Processing Times
The table below shows the current Australia visa processing times for most of the visas. The processing times are updated monthly, and the last updated time is showm below. You can type in your visa subclass number or visa name in the search bar to find your visa. Two processing times are displayed in calendar days, indicating how long it is taking to finalize 75 and 90 per cent of applications submitted globally.
The Australia visa processing times are impacted each month by changes in application volumes, seasonal peaks, complex cases, and incomplete applications. Processing times include applications lodged online and by paper. Where available, you should lodge your application online as it helps streamline processing arrangements.
Ensure to check this processing times table on a regular basis, and let us know if you have any questions.
Contact us at Tanson Migration to learn more.
Last updated: 5 May 2022
| Visa | Stream | 75% Of Visas Processed | 90% Of Visas Processed | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 - Partner (Migrant) visa (subclass 100) | 18 months | 29 months | The processing time for a Permanent Partner visa (subclass 801 or 100) starts from the date of eligibility. This is 2 years after the combined subclass 820/801 or 309/100 visa application was lodged. We are processing some older and more complex Partner visa applications. These cases can take longer to finalise and impact our published processing times. | |
| 101 - Child (subclass 101) | 18 months | 29 months | ||
| 102 - Adoption (subclass 102) | 20 months | 28 months | ||
| 117 - Orphan Relative (subclass 117) | 59 months | 76 months | ||
| 124 - Distinguished Talent (subclass 124) | 25 months | 27 months | ||
| 132 - Business Talent (subclass 132) | Significant Business History | 29 months | 36 months | |
| 132 - Business Talent (subclass 132) | Venture Capital Entrepreneur | 36 months | 40 months | |
| 155 - Resident Return 5 Year (subclass 155) | 3 days | 75 days | Generally, applications that meet the residence requirements will be processed within 5 working days from lodgement. Applications that do not meet the residence requirement will take longer to finalise, as published here. | |
| 157 - Resident Return 3mth (subclass 157) | 3 months | 4 months | ||
| 159 - Provisional Resident Return (subclass 159) | Processing times are not available | Processing times are not available | ||
| 186 - Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) | Direct Entry Pathway | 7 months | 12 months | |
| 186 - Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) | Agreement Pathway | 5 months | 8 months | |
| 186 - Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) | Transition Pathway | 16 months | 25 months | |
| 187 - Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (subclass 187) | Direct Entry Pathway | 37 months | 51 months | |
| 187 - Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (subclass 187) | Transition Pathway | 15 Months | 19 Months | |
| 188 - Business Innovation & Investment (Provisional) (subclass 188) | Business Innovation | 25 months | 28 months | |
| 188 - Business Innovation & Investment (Provisional) (subclass 188) | Investor | 36 months | 39 months | |
| 188 - Business Innovation & Investment (Provisional) (subclass 188) | Significant Investor | 18 months | 26 months | |
| 188 - Business Innovation & Investment (Provisional) (subclass 188) | Premium Investor | Processing times are not available | Processing times are not available | |
| 188 - Business Innovation & Investment (Provisional) (subclass 188) | Entrepreneur | 5 months | 7 months | |
| 188 - Business Innovation & Investment (Provisional) (subclass 188) | Business Innovation Extension | 12 months | 19 months | |
| 188 - Business Innovation & Investment (Provisional) (subclass 188) | Significant Investor Extension | 11 months | 15 months | |
| 189 - Skilled Independent (subclass 189) | Points-Tested | 36 months | 39 months | Applicants should be aware that points tested skilled migration visa applications that are not an occupation within a Critical Sector may exceed the average processing time. This is because each visa subclass contains applications that have a different processing priority. Occupations within a critical sector are given highest processing priority. |
| 189 - Skilled Independent (subclass 189) | New Zealand | 19 months | 23 months | Applicants should be aware that points tested skilled migration visa applications that are not an occupation within a Critical Sector may exceed the average processing time. This is because each visa subclass contains applications that have a different processing priority. Occupations within a critical sector are given highest processing priority. |
| 190 - Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) | 8 months | 10 months | Applicants should be aware that points tested skilled migration visa applications that are not an occupation within a Critical Sector may exceed the average processing time. This is because each visa subclass contains applications that have a different processing priority. Occupations within a critical sector are given highest processing priority. | |
| 300 - Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) | 23 months | 29 months | ||
| 309 - Partner (Provisional) (subclass 309) | 20 months | 32 months | The processing time for a Permanent Partner visa (subclass 801 or 100) starts from the date of eligibility. This is 2 years after the combined subclass 820/801 or 309/100 visa application was lodged. We are processing some older and more complex Partner visa applications. These cases can take longer to finalise and impact our published processing times. | |
| 400 - Temporary Work (short stay) (subclass 400) | 31 days | 45 days | ||
| 400 - Temporary Work (short stay) (subclass 400) | Highly Specialised Work | 20 days | 43 days | |
| 403 - Temporary Work (International Relations) (subclass 403) | Government Agreement | 28 days | 57 days | |
| 403 - Temporary Work (International Relations) (subclass 403) | Foreign Government Agency | 5 months | 10 months | |
| 403 - Temporary Work (International Relations) (subclass 403) | Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) | Processing times are not available | Processing times are not available | |
| 403 - Temporary Work (International Relations) (subclass 403) | Seasonal Worker Program | 8 days | 12 days | |
| 403 - Temporary Work (International Relations) (subclass 403) | Privileges and Immunities | 28 days | 3 months | |
| 403 - Temporary Work (International Relations) (subclass 403) | Pacific Labour Scheme | 8 days | 13 days | |
| 407 - Training visa (subclass 407) | 22 months | 24 months | ||
| 408 - Temporary Work Activity visa (subclass 408) | Entertainment Activities | 8days | 30 days | |
| 408 - Temporary Work Activity visa (subclass 408) | Research Activities | 13 months | 20 months | |
| 408 - Temporary Work Activity visa (subclass 408) | Religious Work | 8 months | 10 months | |
| 408 - Temporary Work Activity visa (subclass 408) | Special Programs | 16 months | 23 months | |
| 408 - Temporary Work Activity visa (subclass 408) | Invited for Other Social and Cultural Activity | 8 days | 12 days | |
| 408 - Temporary Work Activity visa (subclass 408) | Australian Government Endorsed Events | 7 months | 8 months | |
| 408 - Temporary Work Activity visa (subclass 408) | Exchange Arrangements | Processing times are not available | Processing times are not available | |
| 408 - Temporary Work Activity visa (subclass 408) | Superyacht Crew | 72 days | 72 days | |
| 408 - Temporary Work Activity visa (subclass 408) | Domestic Work for Executives | Processing times are not available | Processing times are not available | |
| 408 - Temporary Work Activity visa (subclass 408) | Sporting Activities | 3 months | 9 months | |
| 417 - Working Holiday (subclass 417) | 17 Days | 4 Months | For Visitors and Working Holiday Makers the processing time is calculated differently depending on when you applied. If you applied before the border reopened, then the processing time is calculated from the date you became eligible to travel. If you applied after the border reopened, then the processing time is calculated from the date you applied. | |
| 445 - Dependent Child (subclass 445) | 8 months | 19 months | ||
| 461 - NZ Citizen Family Relationship (subclass 461) | 23 months | 30 months | ||
| 462 - Work and Holiday (subclass 462) | 3 Months | 4 Months | For Visitors and Working Holiday Makers the processing time is calculated differently depending on when you applied. If you applied before the border reopened, then the processing time is calculated from the date you became eligible to travel. If you applied after the border reopened, then the processing time is calculated from the date you applied. | |
| 476 - Skilled - Recognised Graduate (subclass 476) | 38 months | 41 months | ||
| 482 - Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) | Short-term | 12 months | 15 months | Currently, the Department is prioritising applications on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) and those in critical sectors as per Ministerial Directions. |
| 482 - Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) | Medium-term | 3 months | 9 months | Currently, the Department is prioritising applications on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) and those in critical sectors as per Ministerial Directions. |
| 482 - Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) | Labour Agreement | 3 months | 7 months | Currently, the Department is prioritising applications on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) and those in critical sectors as per Ministerial Directions. |
| 482 - Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) | Sponsorship | 73 days | 89 days | Currently, the Department is prioritising applications on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) and those in critical sectors as per Ministerial Directions. |
| 482 - Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) | Nomination | 45 days | 7 months | |
| 485 - Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) | Graduate Work | 11 months | 13 months | |
| 485 - Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) | Post-Study Work | 12 months | 14 months | |
| 489 - Skilled Regional Sponsored (Provisional) (subclass 489) | First Provisional | 28 months | 32 months | Applicants should be aware that points tested skilled migration visa applications that are not an occupation within a Critical Sector may exceed the average processing time. This is because each visa subclass contains applications that have a different processing priority. Occupations within a critical sector are given highest processing priority. |
| 489 - Skilled Regional Sponsored (Provisional) (subclass 489) | First Provisional | 29 months | 33 months | |
| 491 - Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) | State/Territory Government Nominated Regional | 9 months | 22 months | Applicants should be aware that points tested skilled migration visa applications that are not an occupation within a Critical Sector may exceed the average processing time. This is because each visa subclass contains applications that have a different processing priority. Occupations within a critical sector are given highest processing priority. |
| 491 - Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) | Family Sponsored Regional | 15 months | 23 months | Applicants should be aware that points tested skilled migration visa applications that are not an occupation within a Critical Sector may exceed the average processing time. This is because each visa subclass contains applications that have a different processing priority. Occupations within a critical sector are given highest processing priority. |
| 494 - Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) (subclass 494) | Employer Sponsored | 8 months | 10 months | |
| 494 - Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) (subclass 494) | Labour Agreement | 5 months | 7 months | |
| 500 - Student visa (subclass 500) | Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector | 48 days | 85 days | Student visa processing has continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Student visa applications from applicants outside Australia are being prioritised to allow new students to enter Australia and commence their course. As such, processing times for this cohort are faster. In March 2022, 90 per cent of applications where the client is outside Australia were finalised in 30 days. |
| 500 - Student visa (subclass 500) | Postgraduate Research Sector | 85 days | 8 months | Student visa processing has continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Student visa applications from applicants outside Australia are being prioritised to allow new students to enter Australia and commence their course. As such, processing times for this cohort are faster. In March 2022, 90 per cent of applications where the client is outside Australia were finalised in 74 days. |
| 500 - Student visa (subclass 500) | Independent ELICOS Sector | 44 days | 78 days | |
| 500 - Student visa (subclass 500) | Schools Sector | 70 days | 4 months | Student visa processing has continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Student visa applications from applicants outside Australia are being prioritised to allow new students to enter Australia and commence their course. As such, processing times for this cohort are faster. In March 2022, 90 per cent of applications where the client is outside Australia were finalised in 63 days. |
| 500 - Student visa (subclass 500) | Vocational Education and Training Sector | 7 months | 12 months | Student visa processing has continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Student visa applications from applicants outside Australia are being prioritised to allow new students to enter Australia and commence their course. As such, processing times for this cohort are faster. In March 2022, 90 per cent of applications where the client is outside Australia were finalised in 53 days. |
| 500 - Student visa (subclass 500) | Higher Education Sector | 57 days | 7 months | Student visa processing has continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Student visa applications from applicants outside Australia are being prioritised to allow new students to enter Australia and commence their course. As such, processing times for this cohort are faster. In March 2022, 90 per cent of applications where the client is outside Australia were finalised in 58 days. |
| 500 - Student visa (subclass 500) | Non-Award Sector | 23 days | 42 days | Student visa processing has continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Student visa applications from applicants outside Australia are being prioritised to allow new students to enter Australia and commence their course. As such, processing times for this cohort are faster. In March 2022, 90 per cent of applications where the client is outside Australia were finalised in 35 days. |
| 590 - Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) | 3 months | 5 months | ||
| 600 - Visitor (subclass 600) | Tourist | 26 Days | 37 Days | For Visitors and Working Holiday Makers the processing time is calculated differently depending on when you applied. If you applied before the border reopened, then the processing time is calculated from the date you became eligible to travel. If you applied after the border reopened, then the processing time is calculated from the date you applied. |
| 600 - Visitor (subclass 600) | Sponsored Family | 45 Days | 50 Days | For Visitors and Working Holiday Makers the processing time is calculated differently depending on when you applied. If you applied before the border reopened, then the processing time is calculated from the date you became eligible to travel. If you applied after the border reopened, then the processing time is calculated from the date you applied. |
| 600 - Visitor (subclass 600) | Business Visitor | 9 Days | 25 Days | For Visitors and Working Holiday Makers the processing time is calculated differently depending on when you applied. If you applied before the border reopened, then the processing time is calculated from the date you became eligible to travel. If you applied after the border reopened, then the processing time is calculated from the date you applied. |
| 602 - Medical Treatment (subclass 602) - outside Australia | 50 days | 6 months | ||
| 651 - eVisitor (subclass 651) | Less than 1 day | 6 days | For Visitors and Working Holiday Makers the processing time is calculated differently depending on when you applied. If you applied before the border reopened, then the processing time is calculated from the date you became eligible to travel. If you applied after the border reopened, then the processing time is calculated from the date you applied. | |
| 771 - Transit (subclass 771) | 13 days | 20 days | ||
| 801 - Partner (subclass 801) | 12 months | 21 months | The processing time for a Permanent Partner visa (subclass 801 or 100) starts from the date of eligibility. This is 2 years after the combined subclass 820/801 or 309/100 visa application was lodged. We are processing some older and more complex Partner visa applications. These cases can take longer to finalise and impact our published processing times. | |
| 802 - Child (subclass 802) | 13 months | 16 months | ||
| 808 - Confirmatory (Residence) (subclass 808) | 36 days | 83 days | ||
| 820 - Partner (subclass 820) | 21 months | 33 months | The processing time for a Permanent Partner visa (subclass 801 or 100) starts from the date of eligibility. This is 2 years after the combined subclass 820/801 or 309/100 visa application was lodged. We are processing some older and more complex Partner visa applications. These cases can take longer to finalise and impact our published processing times. | |
| 837 - Orphan Relative (subclass 837) | Processing times are not available | Processing times are not available | ||
| 858 - Global Talent (subclass 858) | Global Talent Pathway | 71 days | 4 months | |
| 858 - Global Talent (subclass 858) | Distinguished Talent | 23 months | 27 months | |
| 870 - Sponsored Parent (temporary) visa (subclass 870) | 18 months | 24 months | ||
| 870 - Sponsored Parent (temporary) visa (subclass 870) | 21 months | 24 months | ||
| 887 - Skilled-Regional (subclass 887) | 21 months | 25 months | We are currently assessing applications submitted before September 2020 | |
| 888 - Business Innovation & Investment (Permanent) (subclass 888) | Business Innovation | 25 months | 27 months | |
| 888 - Business Innovation & Investment (Permanent) (subclass 888) | Investor | 23 months | 25 months | |
| 888 - Business Innovation & Investment (Permanent) (subclass 888) | Premium Investor | Processing times are not available | Processing times are not available | |
| 888 - Business Innovation & Investment (Permanent) (subclass 888) | Significant Investor | 26 months | 28 months | |
| 888 - Business Innovation & Investment (Permanent) (subclass 888) | Entrepreneur | Processing times are not available | Processing times are not available | |
| 890 - Business Owner (subclass 890) | Processing times are not available | Processing times are not available | ||
| 891 - Investor (subclass 891) | Processing times are not available | Processing times are not available | ||
| 892 - State Sponsored Business Owner (subclass 892) | Processing times are not available | Processing times are not available | ||
| 893 - Sponsored Investor (subclass 893) | Processing times are not available | Processing times are not available | ||
| 988 - Maritime Crew (subclass 988) | 6 days | 9 days | |
Source: Department of Home Affairs
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