Global visa and citizenship processing times

Due to COVID-19, some visa processing times have been affecte​d and applications may take longer to finalise. Processing times are not available for all visa subclasses.  The Department is prioritising processing of visa applications for travellers who are exempt from our travel restrictions to help those who need urgent travel.

Global visa processing times will be updated monthly, providing you with an indicative timeframe for processing applications. Processing times are available for the majority of visa subclasses products, but will exclude a few subclasses such as those closed to new entrants, subject to capping and queueing, or which have a low volume of applications. Two processing times are displayed in calendar days, indicating how long it is taking to finalise 75 and 90 per cent of applications submitted globally.

Processing times are impacted each month by changes in application volumes, seasonal peaks, complex cases, and incomplete applications. Processing times include applications lodged online and by paper. Where available, you should lodge your application online as it helps streamline processing arrangements.

Circumstances that affect processing times

We assess applications on a case-by-case basis, and actual processing times can vary due to individual circumstances including:

  • whether you have lodged a complete application, including all necessary supporting documents
  • how promptly you respond to any requests for additional information
  • how long it takes to perform required checks on the supporting information provided
  • how long it takes to receive additional information from external agencies, particularly in relation to health, character, and national security requirements
  • for permanent migration visa applications, how many places are available in the migration program

How to view processing times

You can view current processing times on the page for specific visa subclasses. You should check regularly to ensure you remain aware of the current processing times for your visa as these may change over time.

Visa Stream 75% Of Visas Processed 90% Of Visas Processed Additional Information
Visa Stream 75% Of Visas Processed 90% Of Visas Processed Additional Information
Visa Stream 75% Of Visas Processed 90% Of Visas Processed Additional Information
Visa Stream 75% Of Visas Processed 90% Of Visas Processed Additional Information
Visa Stream 75% Of Visas Processed 90% Of Visas Processed Additional Information