Last Updated: 1 May 2026

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How long do Australian visas take in 2026?

Australia visa processing times vary depending on the visa type, application quality, and government priorities.

Based on official data from the Department of Home Affairs, most visas are processed within a range defined by 50% and 90% completion times:

• 50% processing time → median (typical case)

• 90% processing time → realistic upper range

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This page provides a complete, structured overview of visa processing times in Australia, including how to interpret them and what affects your timeline.

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Key Takeaways

• Fastest visas: Electronic Travel Authority, eVisitor, and Maritime Crew visas — under 1 day

• Fastest common work visa: Skills in Demand (482) Specialist Skills stream — 10 days median

• Slowest common visa: Orphan Relative (117) — 81 months median

• Partner visas: 10–20 months median depending on stream and location

• Student visas: as fast as 3 days (Postgraduate Research), up to 7 months (Vocational Education and Training)

• Times shift monthly as the Department of Home Affairs processes new caseloads — always check the current figure before you plan around a date

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How Long Does Each Australian Visa Take to Process? A Quick Guide to the Most Common Visas

Processing times vary widely depending on the visa subclass, the stream you apply under, and how complete your application is. Here's a snapshot of current processing times for the visas our clients ask about most.

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Partner visa (subclass 820/801)

• Temporary stage (820): median 20 months, 90% finalised within 25 months

• Permanent stage (801): median 3 months, 90% finalised within 11 months

Partner visa (subclass 309/100)

• Provisional stage (309): median 16 months, 90% finalised within 27 months

• Permanent stage (100): median 10 months, 90% finalised within 24 months

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

• Points-tested stream: median 6 months, 90% finalised within 8 months

Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

• Median 13 months, 90% finalised within 17 months

Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)

• Specialist Skills stream: median 10 days, 90% finalised within 57 days

• Core Skills stream: median 83 days, 90% finalised within 10 months

Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)

• Post-Higher Education Work stream: median 59 days, 90% finalised within 4 months

• Post-Vocational Education Work stream: median 49 days, 90% finalised within 4 months

Student visa (subclass 500)

• Higher Education sector stream: median 16 days, 90% finalised within 7 months

Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)

• Direct Entry pathway: median 9 months, 90% finalised within 12 months

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

• State/Territory nominated stream: median 15 months, 90% finalised within 23 months

Visitor visa (subclass 600)

• Tourist stream: median 16 days, 90% finalised within 33 days

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These figures move month to month as the Department of Home Affairs processes new intakes, and they're only ever an indication — not a guarantee — of how long your own application will take.

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Want the full picture? The table below covers every visa subclass and stream, with the 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile processing times. Search or filter it to find your visa.