Popular questions

You can find out more about the visa options that suit your needs.

Only certain people can help you with your application. For more information, see Who can help with your application.

For most application types you need to apply online via ImmiAccount.

For some applications, you may be able to apply on paper. Note that you will not be able to track your application this way.

You must provide an official document to confirm your parents hold custodial/parental rights over you. Your parents must provide consent for you to travel to Australia. 

You must provide Form 1229 - Consent to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years. Both of your parents must complete this form. You should include your parents’ identification documents (for example, a passport copy), with Form 1229. If you are travelling or will stay in Australia with someone other than a parent, that guardian must complete Form 1257 - Undertaking Declaration. You should include the guardian's identification documents (for example, a passport copy) with Form 1257.

You should submit the documents at the time that you apply. You must upload the documents online through your ImmiAccount if you also made your application through ImmiAccount.

For an indication of processing times, use the visa processing time guide tool.

This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. Note that it is a guide only and not specific to your application.

Your visa application can take longer if it contains incorrect information or documents are missing. We may even refuse the application. There are things you can do to make sure that when you submit your visa application it is ‘decision ready’. This will help us process your application faster. For more information, see Check twice, submit once.

For more information, see Visa processing times.

We will tell you if you need to provide biometrics. To provide biometric collection services on our behalf, the department contracts VFS Global. Their services are available in many countries through Australian Biometrics Collection Centres (ABCCs). For more information, see Biometrics.

We are unable to report on the progress of individual applications. If you applied online, you can check the status of your application through ImmiAccount.

For an indication of processing times, use the visa processing time guide tool.

This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. Note that it is a guide only and not specific to your application.

Your visa application can take longer if it contains incorrect information or documents are missing. We may even refuse the application. There are things you can do to make sure that when you submit your visa application it is ‘decision ready’. This will help us process your application faster. For more information, see Check twice, submit once.

For more information, see Visa processing times.

Application times vary and cannot be expedited unless you have an urgent reason to travel on a Bridging visa or Resident Return visa. We will consider these requests on a case-by-case basis. If you have applied via ImmiAccount, you can check the status of your application through ImmiAccount.

For current processing times, see:

• Visa processing times
• Citizenship processing times

If you lodged your application online, we may ask you to provide a response or further information regarding your application. You must upload this information to your ImmiAccount.

You can find instructions on how to manage your ImmiAccount and how to attach documents to your application at Applying online in ImmiAccount.

You should submit a complete and decision-ready application. We may refuse or delay applications that you lodge without the relevant documentation. The application form in ImmiAccount will tell you the documents that you must attach.

If you are having trouble with your ImmiAccount, see Applying online or paper.

You can withdraw your application online using ImmiAccount. For more information, see withdraw an application.

Use VEVO to check your visa details and conditions.

You can only get a refund in certain circumstances. To find out more, see Getting a refund.

There is no standard timeframe for processing refund requests. Each request is assessed under the relevant legal authority or administrative rules.

If we refuse your application, you will need to check your notification letter that will have been sent by the department to you. This will detail information on if you have the right to seek review of the department's decision at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). If you do have review rights, the instructions in the letter will assist you with your appeal options.

For information about fees relating to a review, visit Fees and Charges for Review of Decisions.

You can also find out how to apply for a review on the ART website.

Your feedback is valuable to us. If you have feedback for us, use our online Compliments, complaints and suggestions webform

See Partner Visa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Once we make a decision on your application, we will send you a Visa Grant Notification or a Visa Refusal Notification in ImmiAccount. We will send this to the email address that you nominated in your application.

See Cancelling a visa.​

Find out if you are eligible for and what you need to do to Become an Australian citizen.

If you applied online you can check your visa application status in the ‘My applications summary' section in ImmiAccount. To see current processing time averages, see Citizenship processing times. This includes current times from date of approval to ceremony.

We will notify you when we have made a decision on your application.

If you need to attend a ceremony, we will send you an invitation letter about 4 weeks before the event.

Wait times for citizenship ceremonies can vary. For the most current information, see Citizenship processing times.

All documents not in English must be translated into English.

Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.

You must submit both the original document (non-English) and the translated document.

For translations outside of Australia, check the requirements in the ‘Gather your documents’ section of the relevant visa or citizenship page on our website.

As part of the character requirements, we may ask for a police certificate​ (or equivalent) from every country you have lived in as part of either your:​

• visa application
• citizenship application​.
  

You can find information about how to obtain police checks outside of Australia at Offices outside Australia.

To get an Australian police check, apply online using the Australian Federal Police National Police check application form. We do not accept state or territory issued police certificates.

You can complete your health examinations after you apply. Learn more about arranging your health examinations.

The results of your health assessment are usually valid for 12 months.

If we ask you to sign a health undertaking, they are valid for 6 months. We will let you know if you need to do them again.

You must tell us about any changes in your circumstances, including any new passport, address or contact details. You can read more about the categories of changes in your situation. Notify us of changes in your situation by going to the ‘Update us’ tab in your ImmiAccount.

For more information, see Partner Visa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you need a record of your specific dates of travel in and out of Australia, see Request for international movement records.

For any movement records before 1981, contact the National Archives of Australia.

To report suspicious or illegal immigration, citizenship, customs and trade activity, submit a Border Watch reporting form.