Australia Sets Condition for Faster Processing of Partner Visas

Australia's Department of Home Affairs has outlined a specific condition under which foreign spouses and partners may receive expedited processing of their visa applications. According to guidelines published on the department's official website, partner visa applications are generally assessed in the order they are received, with onshore applications under subclass 820 and 801 receiving the highest priority.

Offshore applications for the Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) and Partner visa (subclass 309 and 100) are prioritized lower, resulting in longer waiting times. To qualify for faster processing, applicants must demonstrate that their case involves special circumstances of a compassionate nature, though meeting this condition does not guarantee priority.

The department emphasized that other applicants may have equally compelling circumstances. Additionally, all supporting documents must be submitted at the time of application, as incomplete applications will not be assessed for priority status.

For those holding a temporary partner visa under subclass 309 or 820, two years must pass since the original application before being eligible for permanent visa assessment.