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In an unprecedented move, the Department of Immigration has announced that the processing times for global visa and citizenship is now available online.

In a new move towards greater transparency, the Department of Immigration is all set to publish the processing times of global visa and citizenship applications online.

In a statement released by the Department, they advise that this new initiative is intended to provide the people with more meaningful data about the visa or citizenship product of their choice.

According to the statement, the updates is now available online.

Processing times will be updated monthly to reflect current caseloads and processing pressures. It will be available for most visa sub classes and citizenship application types.

Visa application processing times

Last updated: 14 March 2017 (Source from DIBP)

Visa typeDescription75% of applications processed in90% of applications processed in
400Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) (Short Stay Specialist)9 days16 days
403Temporary Work (International Relations) (Government Agreement)32 days43 days
403Temporary Work (International Relations) (Foreign Government Agency)28 days43 days
403Temporary Work (International Relations) (Seasonal Worker Programme)9 days13 days
407Training65 days77 days
408Temporary Activity (Entertainment Activities)7 days16 days
408Temporary Activity (Sporting Activities)22 days32 days
408Temporary Activity (Religious Work)67 days76 days
408Temporary Activity (Research Activities)47 days69 days
408Temporary Activity (Special Programmes)66 days75 days
408Temporary Activity (Invited for Other Social and Cultural Activity)8 days14 days
417Working Holiday14 days34 days
457Temporary Work (Skilled)86 days6 months
461New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (Temporary)8 months11 months
462Work and Holiday7 days19 days
476Skilled – Recognised Graduate4 months4 months
485Temporary Graduate (Graduate Work)5 months6 months
485Temporary Graduate (Post-Study Work)71 days90 days
500Student (Independent ELICOS Sector)55 days71 days
500Student (Schools Sector)55 days86 days
500Student (Vocational Education and Training Sector)43 days76 days
500Student (Higher Education Sector)24 days52 days
500Student (Postgraduate Research Sector)48 days4 months
500Student (Non-Award Sector)29 days46 days
500Student (Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector)15 days35 days
590Student Guardian71 days4 months
600Visitor (Tourist)20 days30 days
600Visitor (Sponsored Family)41 days58 days
600Visitor (Business Visitor)6 days15 days
600Visitor (Approved Destination Status)3 days5 days
600Visitor (Frequent Traveller)5 days12 days
602Medical Treatment25 days56 days
651eVisitor1 day3 days
771Transit6 days9 days
988Maritime Crew Visa4 days6 months
100Partner15 months23 months
101Child9 months15 months
117Orphan Relative22 months26 months
143Contributory Parent (Migrant)32 months33 months
155Five Year Resident Return2 days6 days
173Contributory Parent (Temporary)32 months32 months
186Employer Nomination Scheme (Direct Entry Pathway)9 months11 months
186Employer Nomination Scheme (Transition Pathway)8 months9 months
187Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Direct Entry Pathway)11 months12 months
187Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Transition Pathway)8 months9 months
188Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) (Business Innovation)16 months18 months
189Skilled – Independent4 months6 months
190Skilled – Nominated4 months7 months
300Prospective Marriage12 months17 months
309Partner (Provisional)11 months15 months
489Skilled – Regional (Provisional) (Skilled Regional – GSM)5 months6 months
489Skilled – Regional (Provisional) (State/Territory Nominated visa classes – GSM)5 months7 months
801Partner16 months20 months
802Child7 months8 months
820Partner18 months20 months
864Contributory Aged-Parent (Residence)15 months15 months
887Skilled – Regional7 months10 months
892State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner15 months17 months

Australian citizenship application processing times

Last updated: 14 March 2017

Australian Citizenship application type75% of applications processed in90% of applications processed in
Conferral (lodgement to ceremony*)10 months12 months
Descent (lodgement to decision)63 days4 months
Evidence (lodgement to decision)5 days12 days

*a small proportion of applicants for Australian citizenship by conferral are not required to attend a ceremony. For Descent and Evidence applications, allow an additional 10 days for printing and postage of your certificate. If you applied from outside Australia, postage will take longer.

Global visa and citizenship processing times will be available online for the first time from 13 March 2017.

As part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to improve client information, the publishing of current visa and citizenship processing times will give you more meaningful data about the visa or citizenship product of your choice.

The latest processing times will replace the previously published service standards to give you a better idea of how long it is taking to process a particular visa subclass, stream, or citizenship application.

Processing times will be updated monthly to reflect current caseloads and processing pressures, and will be available for most visa subclasses and citizenship application types. We do not publish processing times for some subclasses, as they are closed to new entrants, or capped and queued.

To ensure that your application falls within the published processing times, you must lodge a complete application. Your application will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, and actual processing times can vary due to individual circumstances, including:

  • whether you have lodged a complete application and included all necessary supporting documents
  • how promptly you respond to requests for additional information
  • how long it takes to perform required checks
  • how long it takes to receive additional information from external parties, particularly in relation to health, character, national security, and Assurance of Support requirements
  • the number of places available in the migration programme
  • surges in demand and peak periods.