Partner Visa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Processing times

Partner visa applications are processed according to Ministerial Direction 117. Applications are generally assessed in the order in which they are received, with highest priority given to applications for onshore Partner visa (subclass 820 and 801).

Lower priority is given to offshore applications for:

Applications with lower priority are likely to experience longer processing times.

For more information, see Family visa processing priorities.

Processing times for Partner visa applications vary. Partner visa applicants may experience longer processing times than expected. For an indication of processing times, use the Visa processing time guide tool.

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

Do not contact us if your application is still within the standard processing time. We cannot provide any further updates on your application's progress.

To see current standard processing times for the Partner visa you are applying for see Global processing times.

You can check the status of your visa application and if you have provided all supporting documents through ImmiAccount.

Under Ministerial Direction 117, we may prioritise a Partner visa application if you can show that it involves special circumstances of a compassionate nature, and there are compelling reasons to depart from the order of priority.

There is no guarantee that we will give your application a higher priority. This is because other applicants might have equally or more compelling and compassionate circumstances.

We will only consider applications for priority processing if all supporting documents and information is submitted with your application. Most requests for priority processing cannot be approved.

You must meet all relevant legislative requirements before we can grant an application.

If you hold a temporary Partner visa (subclass 309 or 820), two years must have passed since you applied for that visa to be eligible for assessment of the permanent visa. If you are not yet eligible for the permanent visa, we cannot consider your request for priority processing.

For more information, see Factsheet: Partner Visas – Requests for Priority Processing (91KB PDF)

Before you apply for a Partner Visa

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

Only certain people can help you with your application. Go to Who can help with your application.

You must apply online via ImmiAccount. For more information, see Applying online in ImmiAccount.

If you are having trouble applying online via ImmiAccount you can submit the ImmiAccount Technical Support Form.

In limited circumstances you may apply on paper. This is only by invitation.

If you apply on paper and we have not invited you to, your application will be invalid, and we will not process it.

For help making sure you include all required information with your application use the checklist provided in ImmiAccount.

For further information visit the web page of the visa you are applying for and select the step-by-step tab.

After you apply for a Partner visa

You can find your Application ID in correspondence we sent to you about your application. This includes, your acknowledgement of application received letter, notification of visa grant letter or email subject line.

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

You need to attach information or documents to your ImmiAccount, see Attach documents to your application.

You can request additional time to provide requested information using the Partner processing enquiry form.

Your request must include evidence showing the steps taken to provide the requested information, such as payment receipt or booking confirmation.

We will only consider your request if it is made before the original timeframe for response expires. We cannot guarantee additional time will be given.

We will tell you about the outcome by email once we have considered your request.

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

The results of your health assessment are valid for 12 months from the time you complete your examinations. If we ask you to sign a health undertaking, this is valid for 6 months.

Before you complete your health examinations, you should refer to the Visa processing times.

We may ask you to provide them again if they expire before we decide your visa.

You can visit the web page of the visa you are applying for; select the step-by-step tab; go to ‘after you apply’; then ‘add family members’ .

Not all visa applications can be imported to your ImmiAccount. You can request assistance with transferring a Partner visa application via the ImmiAccount Technical Support Form. Select ‘Enquiry/Issue – Unable to import application’.

You can withdraw your application(s) online using ImmiAccount.

For more information, go to withdraw an application.

Applicants aged 18 years or over included in the withdrawal must provide their consent.

You must:

attach a signed statement for each applicant 18 years of age or older
withdraw both visa subclasses if your application is for a Partner visa (subclass 309 and 100) or (subclass 820 and 801).

If you are experiencing domestic and family violence, we may be able to help you. For more information see Domestic and family violence and your visa.

You may still be eligible for the grant of your permanent visa. For more information, see Family Violence Provisions.

Change in your circumstances

Tell us about any changes to your contact details, address or passport.

Notify us of changes in your situation by going to the ‘Update Us’ tab in your ImmiAccount.

You may need to complete the Notification of Relationship Cessation form in the ‘Update Details’ tab in ImmiAccount. To confirm, check Your relationship has changed.

If you do not have access to ImmiAccount, you can tell us that your relationship with your sponsor has ended or changed using the Partner processing enquiry form.

Attach a signed and completed Form 1022 - Notification of changes in circumstances (Section 104 of the Migration Act 1958) (172KB PDF).

To ensure your personal safety online we recommend that you:

change your ImmiAccount password as soon as possible
do not use saved passwords to access your ImmiAccount
change your email password or consider setting up a new email account.

To see how you can increase your personal safety you can use the eSafety Commissioner’s online safety checklist.

If your relationship with your sponsor has recommenced, you can tell us using the Partner processing enquiry form.

Attach the following documents:

a statutory declaration completed by you, outlining the circumstances of the relationship
a statutory declaration completed by your sponsor, outlining the circumstances of the relationship
evidence of identify for you and your sponsor.

If you have an ongoing Partner visa application, you will need to complete the Notification of Relationship Cessation form in the ‘Update Details’ tab in ImmiAccount.

If you do not have access to ImmiAccount, you can tell us using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.

For more information, see Death of your sponsor.

Permanent Partner visa assessment

Go to ‘Visa Requirements’ on the relevant visa page:

If you hold a temporary Partner visa (subclass 309 or 820) and two years have passed since you applied for that visa, you are eligible for assessment of the permanent visa:

Log in to ImmiAccount, select ‘New application’ and ‘Family’.
Select ‘Stage 2 - Permanent Partner Visa Assessment (100, 801)’.
Complete the online form using your application ID.

You can find your Application ID in our correspondence. This includes your acknowledgement of application received letter or notification of visa grant letter.

If you didn’t use ImmiAccount to apply for your Partner visa you will need to create an ImmiAccount. Go to Applying online or on paper.

If your permanent Partner visa has been refused, you no longer hold a temporary Partner visa.

You need to be aware of your visa status. Use VEVO to check your visa details and conditions.

If you hold a temporary Partner visa (subclass 820 or 309), your child can apply for a Dependent child visa (subclass 445).

Once your child holds a Dependent child visa, see instructions for adding them to your Partner application at When you have this visa.

Other

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.

Your refusal notification letter will tell you if you have the right to seek review of the department's decision with the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART).

Use VEVO to check your visa details and conditions.

Travelling to, or departing Australia

You can travel to Australia with an expired first entry arrival date if your visa is still valid. Your visa may still be subject to cancellation before arrival or at the border.

To see if your visa is still valid, use VEVO.

You can travel outside Australia and return if your current visa lets you.

If you hold a bridging visa, go to Travel on a Bridging visa.

If you are a Partner visa holder departing Australia, go to ‘When you have this visa’ on the relevant visa page:

Go to Afghanistan Update.

Go to Ukraine Visa Support.

Go to Hamas-Israel Conflict: Visa Support.

Go to Iran visa information.

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Partner Visa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Processing times

Before you apply for a Partner Visa

After you apply for a Partner visa

Change in your circumstances

Sponsors

Permanent Partner visa assessment

Other

Travelling to, or departing Australia

Partner Visa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Processing times​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Order for considering and deciding Partner visa applications​​​

Processing time gu​ide

Status updates

Requests for priority processing

Before you apply for a Partner Visa

​​Find the Partner visa you can apply f​or

​Check who can help with your application

​How to lodge a Partner visa application

Check what documen​ts you need to attach to your application

​After you apply for a Partner visa

Find your Application I​D

ImmiAccount help

Provide further information or documents to support your Partner visa application

​​You cannot provide documents in the specified timeframe

​Health examinations

​Add a child t​​o a Partner visa application

Import a Partner vis​a application into your ImmiAccount

Withdraw your Partner visa application(s)

Domestic and family violence

Change in your circumstances​

Change to your details

Your relationship with your sponsor has ended or changed

You have reconciled your relationship with your sponsor

​​Your sponsor has died

Sponsors​

Sponsor police certificates

Withdraw your sponsor​ship

Permanent Partner visa assessment​​

Check when you become eligible for the permanent Partner visa assessment

Check when you can su​bmit documents for your permanent Partner visa assessment

Refusal of a Partner visa (subclass​​ 801 or 100)

Add a child to ​a subclass 801 or subclass 100 visa application

​Other​

Visa Application Charge refund

Applying for review of a refusal decision

Check the visa you hold and its conditions

Travelling to, or departing Australia​

Entry date has expired

Departing Australia short term

Afghanistan visa i​​nformation

Ukraine visa inf​​ormation

Ham​as-Israel Conflict visa information

Iran visa in​formation

Processing times

After you apply for a Partner visa

Change in your circumstances

Sponsors

Permanent Partner visa assessment

Other

Travelling to, or departing Australia