Global visa and citizenship processing times

Global visa and citizenship 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 and citizenship products, but will exclude a few subclasses such as those closed to new entrants,  capped and queued, or which have a low volume of applications. Two processing times are displayed, 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.

Visa application processing times

Last updated: 14 March 2017

Visa type Description 75% of applications processed in 90% of applications processed in
400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) (Short Stay Specialist) 9 days 16 days
403 Temporary Work (International Relations) (Government Agreement) 32 days 43 days
403 Temporary Work (International Relations) (Foreign Government Agency) 28 days 43 days
403 Temporary Work (International Relations) (Seasonal Worker Programme) 9 days 13 days
407 Training 65 days 77 days
408 Temporary Activity (Entertainment Activities) 7 days 16 days
408 Temporary Activity (Sporting Activities) 22 days 32 days
408 Temporary Activity (Religious Work) 67 days 76 days
408 Temporary Activity (Research Activities) 47 days 69 days
408 Temporary Activity (Special Programmes) 66 days 75 days
408 Temporary Activity (Invited for Other Social and Cultural Activity) 8 days 14 days
417 Working Holiday 14 days 34 days
457 Temporary Work (Skilled) 86 days 6 months
461 New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (Temporary) 8 months 11 months
462 Work and Holiday 7 days 19 days
476 Skilled – Recognised Graduate 4 months 4 months
485 Temporary Graduate (Graduate Work) 5 months 6 months
485 Temporary Graduate (Post-Study Work) 71 days 90 days
500 Student (Independent ELICOS Sector) 55 days 71 days
500 Student (Schools Sector) 55 days 86 days
500 Student (Vocational Education and Training Sector) 43 days 76 days
500 Student (Higher Education Sector) 24 days 52 days
500 Student (Postgraduate Research Sector) 48 days 4 months
500 Student (Non-Award Sector) 29 days 46 days
500 Student (Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector) 15 days 35 days
590 Student Guardian 71 days 4 months
600 Visitor (Tourist) 20 days 30 days
600 Visitor (Sponsored Family) 41 days 58 days
600 Visitor (Business Visitor) 6 days 15 days
600 Visitor (Approved Destination Status) 3 days 5 days
600 Visitor (Frequent Traveller) 5 days 12 days
602 Medical Treatment 25 days 56 days
651 eVisitor 1 day 3 days
771 Transit 6 days 9 days
988 Maritime Crew Visa 4 days 6 months
100 Partner 15 months 23 months
101 Child 9 months 15 months
117 Orphan Relative 22 months 26 months
143 Contributory Parent (Migrant) 32 months 33 months
155 Five Year Resident Return 2 days 6 days
173 Contributory Parent (Temporary) 32 months 32 months
186 Employer Nomination Scheme (Direct Entry Pathway) 9 months 11 months
186 Employer Nomination Scheme (Transition Pathway) 8 months 9 months
187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Direct Entry Pathway) 11 months 12 months
187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Transition Pathway) 8 months 9 months
188 Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) (Business Innovation) 16 months 18 months
189 Skilled – Independent 4 months 6 months
190 Skilled – Nominated 4 months 7 months
300 Prospective Marriage 12 months 17 months
309 Partner (Provisional) 11 months 15 months
489 Skilled – Regional (Provisional) (Skilled Regional – GSM) 5 months 6 months
489 Skilled – Regional (Provisional) (State/Territory Nominated visa classes – GSM) 5 months 7 months
801 Partner 16 months 20 months
802 Child 7 months 8 months
820 Partner 18 months 20 months
864 Contributory Aged-Parent (Residence) 15 months 15 months
887 Skilled – Regional 7 months 10 months
892 State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner 15 months 17 months

Australian citizenship application processing times

Last updated: 14 March 2017

Australian Citizenship application type 75% of applications processed in 90% of applications processed in
Conferral (lodgement to ceremony*) 10 months 12 months
Descent (lodgement to decision) 63 days 4 months
Evidence (lodgement to decision) 5 days 12 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.

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 programme
  • for citizenship applications, the time taken to attend a Citizenship Ceremony or receive a Citizenship Certificate.

How to view processing times

You can view current processing times on the page for the specific visa subclass or citizenship type you are applying for.  You should check regularly to ensure you know the current processing times for your visa.

To ensure your application falls within the published processing times, you need to submit a complete application. The checklists provided on ImmiAccount will assist in making sure you include all required documents in your application.

Source: DIBP Homepage
URL:https://www.border.gov.au/about/access-accountability/service-standards/global-visa-citizenship-processing-times

1 March 2017 round results for Skilled – Independent (subclass 189) & Skilled – Regional Provisional (subclass 489)

1 March 2017 round results

The table below shows the number of invitations issued in the SkillSelect invitation round on 1 March 2017.

Invitations issued on 1 March 2017

Visa Subclass Number
Skilled – Independent (subclass 189) 1832
Skilled – Regional Provisional (subclass 489) 32

During 2016-17 the following numbers of invitations have been issued:

Invitations issued during 2016-17

Visa subclass Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June Total
Skilled – Independent (subclass 189) 3050 2800 4200 2400 1861 2465 2016 2397 1832 0 0 0 23,021
Skilled – Regional Provisional (subclass 489) 200 200 363 100 69 69 44 55 32 0 0 0 1132
Total 3250 3000 4563 2500 1930 2534 2060 2452 1864 0 0 0 24,153

The above figures do not include invitations issued for State and Territory Government nominated visa subclasses. State and Territory Governments nominate throughout the month for specific points tested skilled migration and business innovation and investment visas. Separate results for these visa subclasses are provided monthly.

1 March 2017 results

The following graph shows the points for clients who were invited to apply in the 1 March 2017 round.

Graph showing the points for clients invited to apply in 1 March 2017 round.

Invitation process and cut offsThe highest ranked clients by points score are invited to apply for the relevant visa. For clients who have equal points scores, the time at which they reached their points score for that subclass (referred to as the visa date of effect) determines their order of invitation. Expressions of Interest with earlier dates of effect are invited before later dates.

Visa Subclass Points score Visa date of effect
Skilled – Independent (subclass 189) 60 01/03/2017 12:03 am
Skilled – Regional Provisional (subclass 489) 60 28/02/2017 12:03 am

Due to high levels of demand, and in keeping with previous years, the below occupation groups will be subject to pro rata arrangements to ensure availability of invitations across the programme year. SkillSelect first allocates available places to Skilled – Independent visas (subclass 189) and then the remaining to Skilled – Regional (Provisional) visas (subclass 489). If all places are taken up by subclass 189 visas then there will be no invitations issued for subclass 489 visas in these occupations.

  • Accountants
  • Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers
  • Electronics Engineers
  • Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers
  • Other Engineering Professionals
  • ICT Business and System Analysts
  • Software and Applications Programmers
  • Computer Network Professionals

Points scores and the visa dates of effect cut off for the below occupations in the 1 March 2017 invitation round.

Occupation Identification Description Points score Visa date of effect
2211 Accountants 70 27/09/2016 7:34 pm
2212 Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers 70 04/12/2016 1:26 am
2334 Electronics Engineer 60 21/11/2016 2:42 pm
2335 Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers 65 10/11/2016 1:40 pm
2339 Other Engineering Professionals 65 15/12/2016 12:52 am
2611 ICT Business and System Analysts 65 29/07/2016  1:46 pm
2613 Software and Applications Programmers 65 29/01/2017 12:08 pm
2631 Computer Network Professionals 65 18/01/2017 12:04 am

Source: DIBP Homepage
URL: https://www.border.gov.au/WorkinginAustralia/Pages/1-march-2017-round-results.aspx