Couples waiting to reunite or stay together in Australia face an emotional journey — and knowing how long the partner visa process takes in 2025 can ease some of the stress. Whether you plan to apply for a temporary onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820) or aim for permanent residency through the Subclass 801, you must understand current processing times and documentation requirements.
At Ezy Immigration, our registered migration agents help couples navigate the complex partner visa journey from start to finish — from checking eligibility to submitting complete, decision-ready applications.
Let’s look into the actual partner visa timeframes, typical paperwork and what causes hold-ups in 2025, to help you plan better.
What's a Partner Visa and Who Needs to Get One?
A Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801) gives the husband, wife or de facto partner of an Australian citizen permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen the right to live in Australia. It has two stages:
- Temporary visa (Subclass 820) – allows the applicant to stay in Australia while they wait for a decision on the permanent stage.
- Permanent visa (Subclass 801) – given after more checks two years after the first application.
This visa is for couples in real ongoing relationships, including same-sex partners.
To get a full breakdown of these visa types, check out our Partner Visa Australia guide.
How Long Does the Partner Visa Take in 2025?
The 2025 processing times for partner visas change based on your situation — if you turn in a complete and decision-ready application. The Australian Department of Home Affairs says:
Subclass 820 (Temporary Partner Visa – Onshore)
- 75% of applications: take 13–15 months to process
- 90% of applications: take 21–24 months to process
Subclass 801 (Permanent Partner Visa – Onshore)
- If you put in applications for both visas , the government starts to process the permanent stage two years after you lodge your 820 visa.
This means the whole process, from when you first apply to getting permanent residency, can take up to 3 years in some instances.
Home Affairs updates these timelines each month, but they’re just averages. Ezy Immigration helps its clients boost their chances of getting a quicker result by steering clear of common paperwork mistakes.
What Slows Down Partner Visa Processing?
Getting a visa always takes some time — but certain mistakes you can avoid often lead to unnecessary delays. Here are some typical reasons for holdups:
- Evidence of relationship that’s missing or out of date
- Application forms filled out wrong
- Police or health checks that aren’t complete
- Statutory declarations that don’t match up
- Documents not in English that are translated
- Slow responses to what the Department asks for
Our migration agents are experts at putting together applications that are ready for a decision, which can cut down on how long you have to wait.
What Papers Do You Need in 2025?
Even though the list of documents might change, you’ll need to show proof of your relationship in these areas:
- Financial: Joint accounts, bills, loans, or leases
- Social: Photos together joint travel, family declarations
- Household: Shared responsibilities or proof of living together
- Commitment: Future plans, communications, marriage certificate if married
In 2025, the Department will focus more on living together and real commitment. Digital evidence like messages, emails, or travel plans can make your case stronger.
You’ll also need:
- Identity documents
- Police checks from all countries you’ve lived in for 12+ months
- Health checks
- Sponsor forms and declarations
Our detailed Partner Visa Document Checklist can help you collect everything.
Can You Speed Up the Partner Visa Process?
While the government doesn’t offer “priority processing” for regular applications here are some tips to help your case move faster:
- Submit a full and ready-to-decide application
- Team up with a licensed migration expert to avoid mistakes
- Answer Department questions as soon as you can
- Use certified translations and sworn statements
- Keep strong proof of your ongoing relationship during the wait
Also serious and sympathetic situations (like major illness, domestic abuse, or childcare needs) might support a request for priority – but officials look at these case by case.
How Ezy Immigration Helps Cut Down Stress and Holdups
Going through the partner visa process by yourself can be daunting. This is why many couples opt to work with registered migration agents like Ezy Immigration. We make sure to:
- check eligibility and set time expectations
- Help gather specific relationship proof
- Get statutory declarations and health/police checks ready
- Submit applications on time
- Talk to the Department if they need more information
We aim to cut down on avoidable processing hold-ups, boost your odds, and help you relax throughout the process.
Partner Visa Timelines in 2025
In 2025, the partner visa process remains tricky — but good planning can make it less daunting. If you know the real wait times, avoid common mistakes, and submit a solid case with plenty of proof, you might get an answer faster.
Here at Ezy Immigration, we’ve guided many couples through their partner visa journey with care and know-how. Whether you’re about to apply or just want less stress while you wait, we can lend a hand.
Want to Move Forward?
Chat with our team of Australian registered migration agents today. We’ll check if you qualify, look over your paperwork, and set up your partner visa application to have the best shot at success.
Frequently Asked Questions
For the onshore Subclass 820 most applications take 13 to 24 months to process, based on how complete they are.
Yes. If you apply within Australia, you’ll get a Bridging Visa that lets you stay in the country.
Two years after you submit your 820 application as long as your relationship continues.
Yes. Most delays occur because of incomplete or inconsistent paperwork. Working with a migration agent cuts down this risk.
While agents can’t “fast-track” your visa, they can help you hand in a full, mistake-free application boosting efficiency.
You need to tell Immigration. In some cases (e.g. domestic violence or having children), you might still be able to continue.
The main steps are the same. But de facto couples need to show proof they’ve lived together for 12 months, unless they’ve registered their relationship.
