The processing time for an Australian PR visa generally takes 9 to 18 months, depending on numerous factors such as visa type, application completeness, documents provided, police checks, applicant circumstances, points scored in the Australian points grid, and external factors like application volume and policy changes. As per the Permanent Migration Program 2024-25, Australia plans to issue 185,000 PR visas, with 132,200 allocated to the Skilled stream, 52,500 to the Family stream, and 300 for the Special Eligibility stream.
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Australia PR Categories and Processing Time
Australia PR visas are divided into Skilled Migration, Family stream, Business/Investment stream, and Specialized visas. Each visa has different subclasses with distinct eligibility requirements and processing timelines. The table below lists the different Australia PR categories and the processing time involved in receiving the visa:
|
Australia PR Categories |
Visa Subclass |
Processing Time |
|
Skilled Migration Visa |
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) |
8-9 months |
|
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) |
6-8 months |
|
|
Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491) |
12-14 months |
|
|
Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) |
6 -12 months |
|
|
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme |
6-12 months |
|
|
Family Visa |
Partner Visa (Subclass 801/100) |
18-24 months |
|
Parent Visa |
5.5-31 years |
|
|
Child Visa |
12-18 months |
|
|
Business and Investment Visa |
Business Innovation and Investment Visa |
2-8 weeks |
|
Business Talent visa |
2-8 weeks |
|
|
Other Visas |
National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858) |
6-12 months |
|
Skills in Demand visa |
4-12 weeks |
|
|
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) |
3-6 months |
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Factors Affecting Visa Processing
The Australian immigration department does not specify a fixed duration for visa processing. The processing times are indicative and may vary from application to application due to various factors, such as:
- Incomplete applications and missing documents cause delays.
- Delay in responding to the Home Department’s request for additional information
- Failing to pass health and character checks and Police clearance (Done by external agencies)
- In the case of the Family stream, the visa approval depends on the yearly quota limit. If the quota is complete, the applicant may have to wait further for the PR visa to process
- Occupations on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation list or in-demand sectors will be considered on a priority basis. Applicants not belonging to the above occupation category may have to face delays.
- High application volume (peak season) may also affect visa processing.
Tips to Reduce Visa Processing Time
Given below are a few tips to expedite your Australia PR visa processing:
- Use checklists provided on ImmiAccount to ensure all documents are included.
- The documents must be accurate and up-to-date.
- Address Department of Home Affairs (DHA) requests quickly to avoid further delays. Monitor updates on the DHA website to stay informed about visa progress.
- Apply for visas with shorter processing time (e.g., Subclasses 188, 888, 132)
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