Australian Visa Processing Times 2026: How Long Does Each Visa Take?

Current processing time: 2-8 weeks

Student visas are among the fastest to process, especially for applicants from low-risk countries with a Genuine Student assessment. Higher-risk applications or those requiring additional checks may take 2-3 months.

Tips to speed up: - Submit a strong Genuine Student statement - Have your CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment) ready - Provide complete financial evidence upfront - Get your health exam done before applying (front-load)

Current processing time: 6-9 months

After receiving an invitation through SkillSelect, most 189 applications are processed within 6-9 months. Complex cases (multiple claims, overseas qualifications requiring verification) can take up to 12 months.

Tips to speed up: - Front-load your health exam and police clearances - Provide complete employment evidence (payslips, tax returns, references) - Respond to any requests for information within the deadline

Current processing time: 8-14 months (temporary) + 18-24 months (permanent)

Partner visas remain one of the longest processing categories. The temporary partner visa (820) typically takes 8-14 months. After approximately 2 years, you can apply for the permanent partner visa (801), which takes another 12-18 months.

Tips to speed up: - Provide extensive relationship evidence from the start - Include statutory declarations from friends and family - Submit a complete application — incomplete applications are the #1 cause of delays

Current processing time: 1-4 months

Employer sponsored visas are prioritised when the employer has an approved labour agreement or is in a priority processing arrangement. Short-term stream applications are generally faster than medium-term.

Tips to speed up: - Ensure the sponsoring employer has current accreditation - Provide a complete nomination application - Have your skills assessment ready (if required for your occupation)

Current processing time: 5-7 years (contributory) or 12+ years (standard)

Parent visas have the longest wait times in the Australian migration system. The contributory parent visa (143) costs significantly more but processes faster. The standard parent visa (103) has a queue exceeding 30 years.

Alternatives: - Sponsored Parent Visa (870) — temporary, up to 5 years, no queue - Visitor visa with extended stay provisions

Several factors affect how long your visa takes:

• - Application completeness — Missing documents = delays
• - Country of passport — Some nationalities require additional security checks
• - Occupation — Priority occupations may be processed faster
• - Caseload — The Department processes hundreds of thousands of applications annually
• - Season — Student visas peak before semester starts; partner visas are steady year-round

A migration agent cannot speed up Department processing, but they can ensure your application is complete and correct from day one — avoiding the most common cause of delays.