| Onshore pathway | Partner visa 820 (temporary), then 801 (permanent). |
|---|---|
| Offshore pathway | Partner visa 309 (provisional), then 100 (permanent). |
| Applications and fees | One application and one fee cover both stages. |
| Permanent stage | Usually assessed 2 years after you lodged the combined application. |
| Long-term relationships | If you had been together for 3 years, or 2 years with a child of the relationship, when you applied, the permanent visa may be granted sooner. |
| Processing times | Published monthly by Home Affairs. |
How the two stages work
When you apply for a partner visa, you apply for the temporary and the permanent visa at the same time. Home Affairs first decides the temporary visa. If it is granted, you can live, work and study in Australia while you wait for the permanent stage.
About two years after you lodged, Home Affairs asks you to show that your relationship is continuing. You provide updated evidence and any police checks requested. You do not lodge a new application or pay a second fee.
How long does a partner visa take?
Home Affairs publishes processing times for each partner visa every month. They show how long it took to decide 50% and 90% of applications. The temporary stage can take more than a year, so check the current figures before you plan. The permanent stage is counted from when you become eligible, two years after lodgement.
These figures are a guide only. Your application may be faster or slower depending on how complete it is, whether further information is requested, health and character checks, and the number of applications in the system.
What slows an application down
- Missing or inconsistent evidence across the 4 areas Home Affairs looks at: finances, household, social life and commitment.
- Incomplete sponsor documents, or a sponsor who has sponsored a partner before.
- Outstanding police certificates or health examinations.
- Changes in circumstances that are not reported, such as a new address or a new child.
- Late responses to requests for information.
Preparing for the permanent stage
Keep collecting evidence from the day you lodge. Joint bank statements, a shared lease or mortgage, bills in both names, travel together and statements from friends and family all show that the relationship is continuing. When Home Affairs contacts you, you can respond quickly and completely.
If your relationship ends
If your relationship ends before the permanent visa is granted, tell Home Affairs. In limited circumstances, such as family violence, the death of your sponsor or a child of the relationship, you may still be granted the permanent visa.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work while my partner visa is being processed?
If you applied in Australia, you usually receive a bridging visa. Many bridging visas allow work, but check your conditions in VEVO. Once your 820 is granted, you have full work rights.
Can I travel while I wait?
If you hold an 820 or 309, you can usually travel. If you hold a bridging visa A, you may need a bridging visa B before you leave Australia, or you may not be able to return.
Do I pay again for the 801 or 100?
No. One fee covers both stages. You may need to pay for new police checks or health examinations.
Can the permanent visa be granted straight away?
Sometimes. If you were in a long-term relationship when you applied (3 years, or 2 years with a dependent child of the relationship), Home Affairs may grant both visas together or close together.
Official sources
Updated October 2026. Visa rules, fees and processing times change often, so always check the official sources before you act.