You’ve made the decision to move to Australia and sorted out the right visa, but a big worry on your mind remains – how long will it take to process your visa?
We’ve compiled general visa processing times in Australia so you don’t miss out on a job opportunity or a family reunion, and can plan your immigration with ease.
Skilled Migration Visa Processing Times
Australia welcomes skilled migrants who can address labour shortages and contribute to the economy. If you have the right qualifications and skill set, you can immigrate to Australia through the skilled migration program.
Processing times for the skilled migration visas are as follows:
| Subclass | Visa Name | 50% of applications processed in | 90% of applications processed in |
| 189 | Skilled Independent visa — Points Tested stream | 11 months | 12 months |
| 190 | Skilled Nominated visa | 11 months | 12 months |
| 191 | Permanent Residence Skilled Regional visa — Regional Provisional stream | 22 days | 81 days |
| 476 | Skilled-Recognised Graduate visa | 26 months | 46 months |
| 485 | Temporary Graduate visa — Graduate Work stream | 5 months | 8 months |
| Temporary Graduate visa — Post-Study Work stream | 38 days | 83 days | |
| 491 | Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa — Family Sponsored | 9 months | 20 months |
| Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa — State/Territory Nominated | 9 months | 12 months | |
| 887 | Skilled Regional visa | 72 months | 21 months |
Learn more: Getting your Permanent Residency Australia: A quick guide
This guide tells you about the different permanent residency (PR) pathways you can take, as well as the requirements and steps for PR applications.
Employer-sponsored visa processing times
If you have the needed qualifications and skills, and already have a sponsoring employer in Australia, you can apply for one of the following employer-sponsored visas below:
| Subclass | Visa name | 50% of applications processed in | 90% of applications processed in |
| 186 | Employer Nominated Scheme visa — Direct Entry stream | 72 days | 21 months |
| Employer Nominated Scheme visa — Labour Agreement stream | 9 months | 15 months | |
| Employer Nominated Scheme visa — Temporary Residence Transition stream | 9 months | 12 months | |
| 187 | Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa — Temporary Residence Transition stream | 13 months | 20 months |
| 407 | Training visa | 17 days | 64 days |
| 494 | Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa — Employer Sponsored stream | 90 days | 8 months |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa — Labour Agreement stream | 48 days | 6 months | |
| 482 | Temporary Skills Shortage visa — Short-term stream | 15 days | 83 days |
| Temporary Skills Shortage visa — Medium-term stream | 15 days | 80 days | |
| Temporary Skills Shortage visa — Labour Agreement stream | 34 days | 4 months |
Learn more: Australia Skilled Occupation List
With this guide, you’ll gain insights into the in-demand occupations in Australia and the visa pathways suitable for each eligible skilled occupation, helping you make a better immigration plan.
Australia Student Visa Processing Times
If you want to hone your skills or pursue further studies in Australia – whether that’s vocational studies or post-graduate study – you can apply for an Australian student visa. Processing times are specified below:
| Subclass | Visa name | 50% of applications processed in | 90% of applications processed in |
| 500 | Student visa — Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector | 8 days | 25 days |
| Student visa — Non-Award Sector | 1 day | 8 days | |
| Student visa — Independent ELICOS Sector | 20 days | 55 days | |
| Student visa — Higher Education Sector | 14 days | 71 days | |
| Student visa — Schools Sector | 19 days | 69 days | |
| Student visa — Vocational Education and Training Sector | 58 days | 83 days | |
| Student visa — Postgraduate Research Sector | 50 days | 6 months | |
| 590 | Student Guardian visa | 59 days | 90 days |
Learn more: How to Apply for Student Visa in Australia.
It features a step-by-step guide so you can get started on your Australian student visa application
Partner / Spouse Visa Australia Processing Time
If you want to live and remain with your partner in Australia, you can apply for a spouse/partner visa. Refer to the table below for the processing times:
| Subclass | Visa name | 50% of applications processed in | 90% of applications processed in |
| 820 | Partner visa (Temporary) | 6 months | 26 months |
| 801 | Partner visa (Permanent) | 6 months | 14 months |
| 309 | Partner (Provisional) visa — Offshore | 10 months | 27 months |
| 100 | Partner (Migrant) visa | 12 months | 22 months |
| 300 | Prospective Marriage Visa | 11 months | 39 months |
Parent Visa Processing Time
The parent visa program allows parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents to live in Australia and reunite with their children. Processing times are as follows:
| Subclass | Visa name | 50% of applications processed in | 90% of applications processed in |
| 870 | Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa —visa application | 74 days | 6 months |
| Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa — sponsorship | 62 days | 82 days | |
| 804 | Aged Parent visa | Varies* | Varies* |
| 103 | Parent visa | Varies* | Varies* |
| 143 | Contributory Parent visa | Varies* | Varies* |
| 173 | Contributory Parent (Temporary)visa | Varies* | Varies* |
| 864 | Contributory Aged Parent visa | Varies* | Varies* |
| 884 | Contributory Aged Parent(Temporary) visa | Varies* | Varies* |
*Parent visas are subject to capping and queuing. Once the yearly limit is reached, new visas won’t be granted. Pending applications will be put in the queue for next year’s availability.
Child Visa Processing Time
Child visas allow a child to move to Australia and be reunited with their parent who is either an Australian citizen or permanent resident. These are the processing times for the different child visas:
| Subclass | Visa name | 50% of applications processed in | 90% of applications processed in |
| 445 | Dependent Child visa | 7 months | 15 months |
| 101 | Child visa — Offshore | 17 months | 35 months |
| 802 | Child visa — Onshore | 12 months | 22 months |
Relative Visa Processing Time
The relative visas below allow close family members of Australian citizens or permanent residents to live in Australia. This especially applies to elderly relatives or those who require close care and supervision.
The processing times are stated below:
| Subclass | Visa name | 50% of applications processed in | 90% of applications processed in |
| 838 | Age Dependent Relative visa — Onshore | Varies* | Varies* |
| 114 | Age Dependent Relative visa — Offshore | Varies* | Varies* |
| 835 | Remaining Relative visa — Onshore | Varies* | Varies* |
| 115 | Remaining Relative visa — Offshore | Varies* | Varies* |
| 836 | Carer visa — Onshore | Varies* | Varies* |
| 116 | Carer visa — Offshore | Varies* | Varies* |
*The Relative / Family visas above are subject to capping and queuing. Once the yearly limit is reached, new visas won’t be granted. Pending applications will be put in the queue for next year’s availability.
Visitor / Tourist Visa Australia Processing Time
If you want to visit Australia for leisure or to visit family and friends, you must apply for one of the visitor visas below. Processing times are included in the table below:
| Subclass | Visa name | 50% of applications processed in | 90% of applications processed in |
| 600 | Visitor visa — Tourist stream | 7 days | 21 days |
| Visitor visa — Sponsored Family stream | 43 days | 67 days | |
| Visitor visa — Business visitor stream | 5 days | 14 days | |
| 601 | Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) | NA* | NA* |
| 651 | eVisitor | 1 day | 1 day |
| 417 | Working Holiday visa | 1 day | 17 days |
| 462 | Work and Holiday visa | 16 days | 83 days |
*For ETA, you will usually receive the results of your visa application immediately via email.
Learn more: Invitation letter for tourist visa Australia.
This blog tells you what an invitation letter is and how it can help boost your chances of getting your tourist visa approved.
Business Visa Processing Time
Business visas allow you to undertake business-related activities in Australia, whether that’s managing a company or investing in Australia’s economy. Refer to the table below for the processing times:
| Subclass | Visa name | 50% of applications processed in | 90% of applications processed in |
| 888 | Business Innovation and Investment(Permanent) visa — Business Innovation stream | 31 months | 36 months |
| Business Innovation and Investment(Permanent) visa — Investor stream | 19 months | 30 months | |
| Business Innovation and Investment(Permanent) visa — Significant Investor stream | 37 months | 41 months | |
| 188 | Business Innovation and Investment(Provisional) visa — Business Innovation stream | 31 months | 41 months |
| Business Innovation and Investment(Provisional) visa — Business Innovation Extension stream | 17 months | 18 months | |
| Business Innovation and Investment(Provisional) visa — Investor stream | 37 months | 45 months | |
| Business Innovation and Investment(Provisional) visa — Significant Investor stream | 18 months | 23 months | |
| 890 | Business Owner visa | Varies based on applicant’s profile* | Varies based on applicant’s profile* |
| 891 | Investor visa | Varies based on applicant’s profile** | Varies based on applicant’s profile** |
*For the visa 891, global visa processing time depends on individual circumstances. You cannot apply for this visa unless you currently hold the Investor (Provisional) visa (subclass 162).
Talent Visa Processing Time
If you have exceptional skills or talent in an eligible field – such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics – and have a solid record to show for it, you can consider applying for a talent visa. Processing times are specified below:
| Subclass | Visa name | 50% of applications processed in | 90% of applications processed in |
| 858 | Global Talent visa – Distinguished Talent pathway | 28 months | 33 months |
| Global Talent visa – Global Talent pathway | 6 months | 11 months |
Special Visas Processing Times
The special visas below are suited for specific individual circumstances. Processing times are as follows:
| Subclass | Visa name | 50% of applications processed in | 90% of applications processed in |
| 602 | Medical Treatment visa | 3 days | 61 days |
| 155 | Five Year Resident Return visa | 1 day | 15 days |
| 157 | Three Month Resident Return visa | 35 days | 4 months |
Factors That Affect Global Processing Time
The global processing times provided for each visa type are rough estimates, and the actual duration varies based on your individual circumstances. To ensure a smooth application process, consider these key factors affecting processing times:
- Accuracy and completeness of your application
Double-check your application to avoid mistakes and send all the documents needed. Don’t include unnecessary paperwork.
- Department workload
The more visa applications the Department of Home Affairs is handling, the longer it may take to review each application.
- Your timely response to any information requests
The earlier you respond to any additional requests from the Department, the more you can expedite your application process.
- Third-party agencies
The time it takes to gather information from external agencies (for health, character, and security checks) can impact processing times.
- Availability of places
This applies particularly to Permanent migration, where the number of available spots can affect processing times.Avoid unnecessary visa processing time delays
With professional guidance, you won’t have to worry about missing any paperwork or falling into usual do-it-yourself visa application mistakes.
At KBA Global, you’re partnering with migration agents with diverse backgrounds and years of proven experience. We’ll sort out your documents and handle any sudden requirement changes to prevent unnecessary waits that can ruin your immigration plans.
Get started with your visa application today with a free consultation.
Disclaimer: The above information is a general guide and not professional immigration advice. Be aware that immigration laws and regulations can change swiftly, potentially rendering some or all of the information outdated. Thus, before using the information above, we recommend checking the current laws through assistance from a migration agent or the Department of Home Affairs website.