How long will it take to process my Visa application?
DIAC Processing time service standards for Visa Applications
The information provided relates to the 2008-09 processing time service standards for different types of visa applications.
These service standards are linked to the 2008-09 Portfolio Budget Statements. DIAC has yet to publish their 2009-10 Portfolio Budget Statements. DIAC state they aim to process 75 per cent of cases within these service standards, however actual processing times may vary from these standards for the following reasons:
- Individual cases may be decided in longer or shorter periods than the service standard, depending on a range of factors, individual circumstances and the complexity of each case.
- The service standards apply to visa applications lodged with complete documentation. You can expect your application to take longer than the processing time service standard if it was lodged without all the required documentation.
- The service standards do not include the time taken to process nominations and/or sponsorship applications.
- Processing times vary by location, reflecting the differing circumstances of national and regional caseloads.
Visas for Visiting Australia
Visiting for tourism or medical treatment
Visitor Visa Processing Times
| Applicant in Australia at time application is lodged | Applicant outside Australia at time application is lodged |
|---|
| Low Risk | High Risk | Low Risk | High Risk |
| Sponsored Visitors | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1.5 months |
| Non-Sponsored Visitors | 1 working day | 1 week | 1 working day | 1 month |
| Medical Treatment Visas | 1 week | 1 month | 1 week | 1 month |
Visas for working in Australia
Working in Australia - short business visits
| Applicant in Australia at time application is lodged | Applicant outside Australia at time application is lodged |
|---|
| Low Risk | High Risk | Low Risk | High Risk |
| Sponsored Business visitors | 1 working day | 1 week | 1 working day | 1 month |
| Non-Sponsored Business visitors | 1 week | 1 month | 1 week | 1 month |
Working as a sponsored employee or living in Australia as a temporary resident
| Applicant in Australia at time application is lodged | Applicant outside Australia at time application is lodged |
|---|
| Low Risk | High Risk | Low Risk | High Risk |
| Business (Long Stay) Subclass 457 | 2 months | 3 months | 2 months | 3 months |
| Other Sponsored Temporary Residents | 2 months | 3 months | 2 months | 3 months |
Working on a Working Holiday visa
| | First Working Holiday Visa | Second Working Holiday Visa |
|---|
| Working Holiday visa holders | 6 Days | 21 Days |
Visas for migrating to Australia - as a skilled sponsored worker or business person
| Applicant in Australia at time application is lodged | Applicant outside Australia at time application is lodged |
|---|
| Low Risk | High Risk | Low Risk | High Risk |
| Employer Sponsorship ENS RSMS LA | 5 months | 7 months | 5 months | 7 months |
| Business SKills | 9 months | 15 months | 9 months | 15 months |