Partner Visa Processing time and other updates

Partner Visa Processing time and other updates

This article is about Spouse, Prospective Marriage, De Facto Partner Visa Australian Migration.

The current processing timeframe is currently 23 to 32 months for 100 Partner Visa. The processing timeframe for other Spouse, Prospective Marriage, De Facto Partner Visa noted below.

We have also received confirmation from the Department that undocumented or poorly documented applications lodged by RMAs, eg: applications that only meet the basic Schedule 1 requirements for lodging a valid application, may be refused without notice and without requests for further information.

We have noticed that we are receiving Requests for Further Information (RFIs) from overseas posts of the Department, unrelated to the applicants’ home countries.  Some colleagues have reported these RFIs are arriving very soon after lodgement of these applications. We note that the Department has been implementing global processing for partner visas in an attempt to reduce the current extensive processing times.

We are also been informed that attempts are being made to fast track applications with front loaded medicals and character checks.  We will consider clients circumstances and whether front loaded applications are suitable. Any client who want the applications potentially (no guarantee) to be processed quickly should contact us via email if medicals and character checks are not done or are expired.  

The Director of Onshore Partner Migration has written to inform about current changes to onshore Partner processing: 

• processing no longer by month of lodgement
• priority to be given to low-risk, fully front-end loaded applications that immediately satisfy Partner criteria

⁴ Processing time for subclass 801 Partner (permanent) visa and 100 Partner (permanent) visa is from date of eligibility (2 years after the 820/801 or 309/100 application is lodged) to finalisation.