Waiting for a decision on your Partner Visa 820 is one of the hardest parts of the whole migration journey. You have done the paperwork, gathered years of relationship evidence, and lodged your application – and now all you can do is wait. Naturally, the first question on everyone’s mind is how long this is actually going to take?
The honest answer is that there is no fixed number. But there is real data, and understanding it can help you plan your life with a lot more confidence. This guide breaks down current Partner Visa 820 processing times, what affects them, and what you can do while you wait.
What Is the Partner Visa 820?
The Subclass 820 is the temporary stage of Australia’s onshore partner visa pathway. It is for people who are already in Australia and are married to, or in a de facto relationship with, an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Your 820 and 801 (the permanent partner visa) are lodged together as one combined application. The 820 is assessed first, and once you are eligible, the Department of Home Affairs later assesses the 801 for permanent residency. This means your journey has two stages, not one, and each stage has its own timeline.
How Long Does the Partner Visa 820 Take Right Now?
Based on current Department of Home Affairs processing data, most Partner Visa 820 applications are being decided somewhere between 12 and 24 months from the date of lodgement, with a growing number of straightforward, well-prepared cases finalised closer to the 12-to-16-month mark.
Some important things to keep in mind:
- These figures shift from month to month depending on application volumes and departmental resourcing.
- The Department publishes ranges showing how long it takes for 50% and 90% of applications to be finalised – not a single guaranteed date.
- A small number of applications are decided much faster, while complex cases can take well beyond two years.
Because these numbers change regularly, always check the current published times on the Department of Home Affairs website before making any firm plans.
What Happens After the 820 Is Granted?
Once your Subclass 820 is granted, you can continue to live, work, and study in Australia while you wait for the permanent stage. There is no expiry date attached to the 820 itself – it simply remains valid until a decision is made on your Subclass 801.
Generally, the permanent stage becomes eligible for assessment around two years after your original lodgement date, not two years after the 820 is granted. This is an important distinction that catches many applicants by surprise. If your 820 takes 18 months to be granted, your 801 eligibility window may already be close by the time you receive that decision.
What Slows Down a Partner Visa 820 Application?
Several factors commonly add months to processing times:
Incomplete documentation at lodgement: If key evidence is missing, your case officer has to request it, and your file can lose momentum while waiting for a response.
Weak or unbalanced relationship evidence: The Department looks at four areas of your relationship: financial, social, household, and commitment. Applications that are strong in only one or two of these areas often attract extra scrutiny.
Requests for Further Information (RFIs): If a case officer needs more detail – additional police checks, updated financial records, or further proof of cohabitation – your application pauses until you respond. Slow responses mean slower outcomes.
Character and health checks: Police clearances from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more, and medical examinations, can take time to organise, especially from overseas.
Case complexity: De facto relationships without a registered relationship certificate, previous visa refusals, or unusual relationship circumstances can all mean extra assessment steps.
How to Avoid Unnecessary Delays
While no one can control departmental workloads, a well-prepared application genuinely makes a difference. A few practical steps:
- Lodge a complete, decision-ready application. Front-load your evidence rather than planning to add it later.
- Cover all four relationship categories with a reasonable spread of documents, not just one type of proof.
- Respond to RFIs quickly. A prompt, thorough response keeps your file moving.
- Keep your details current. Update your address, contact details, and any change in circumstances through ImmiAccount as soon as they happen.
- Continue building your evidence file even after lodgement – this helps at both the 820 and the later 801 stage.
Final Thoughts
Partner Visa 820 processing times can feel unpredictable, but understanding the two-stage structure, the current timeframes, and what causes delays puts you in a much better position to plan. A complete, well-organised application at lodgement remains the single biggest factor within your control.
If you would like a professional review of your partner visa application before you lodge, or guidance on responding to a Request for Further Information, our team is here to help. As a trusted immigration agent Adelaide couples turn to for partner visa applications, we can help you put together a complete, decision-ready case from the start.
