Direction 117 changed the processing priority for Partner visa applications from 25 July 2026. Onshore applications now sit in a higher priority category than offshore applications.
That is a change to the queue. It is not a promise of a faster decision for any individual couple.
The practical response is clear: understand which pathway fits your circumstances, prepare a complete application and keep your relationship evidence up to date.
What changed under Direction 117?
Ministerial Direction 117 took effect on 25 July 2026, replacing Ministerial Direction 102. It directs decision-makers on the order for considering family-stream visa applications under sections 47 and 51 of the Migration Act 1958, covering Partner, Parent, Child and Carer visa applications.
Under the new priorities, the highest priority goes to family visa applications made while the applicant is in Australia, where the visa can also be granted onshore. Applications made offshore, or where the applicant must be offshore at the time of grant, sit in a lower priority category. Within each category, Partner visa applications are considered ahead of other family visa types.
For Partner visas in practice, onshore applications for subclasses 820 and 801 now sit in a higher priority band than offshore applications for subclasses 309 and 100. Offshore applications remain open and are still being processed; they simply move at a lower priority.
This is an order of consideration. It does not guarantee that every onshore application will be decided before every offshore application. Nor does it change the legal requirements for a visa grant.
A priority direction does not:
- Guarantee a quick decision or a particular outcome.
- Shorten statutory processing periods.
- Remove the need to meet all visa criteria.
- Make an incomplete or complex application decision-ready.
Processing depends on individual circumstances, the evidence provided and the Department’s assessment. Check current guidance directly on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
The two stages of a Partner visa
The Partner visa pathway has a temporary stage and a permanent stage.
- Onshore: subclass 820 is the temporary Partner visa. Subclass 801 is the permanent stage.
- Offshore: subclass 309 is the temporary/provisional Partner visa. Subclass 100 is the permanent stage.
Couples must continue to meet the relevant requirements at each stage. This includes showing that the relationship meets the applicable criteria. The Department may consider updated information about the relationship and the couple’s circumstances.
Marriage alone does not settle every question. De facto applicants must meet the relevant requirements for their situation. The evidence needed can vary. Read the current criteria and instructions before applying.
Should you lodge onshore or offshore?
The higher priority for onshore applications is one factor. It should not be the only one.
Your location, visa status and ability to remain in Australia lawfully all matter. So do work, family, travel and financial commitments. An onshore application may have consequences for your visa status and travel plans. Offshore applications have their own requirements, including where the applicant must be when the visa is granted.
Visitor visas need particular care. Visitor visas now generally carry a No Further Stay condition under announced changes. A condition like this can affect whether a person can apply for another visa while in Australia. Do not assume that a visitor visa will allow an onshore Partner visa application. Check the visa grant and current rules first.
Read our article on visitor visas and No Further Stay conditions. If you are unsure which option fits, book a consultation before making travel or lodgement decisions.
Make your application decision-ready
A higher priority category cannot replace strong preparation.
The Department’s April 2026 Partner Processing Newsletter described a stricter “one opportunity” approach to Requests for Information (RFIs). Applicants may be given one opportunity to respond, and follow-up reminders are no longer expected to be routine.
If you receive a request, read it carefully and respond by the stated deadline. If you cannot meet it, request extra time before the deadline. An extension is not guaranteed.
Do not wait for a second reminder. Keep your email address current, check your ImmiAccount and make sure your response addresses every item requested. If you would prefer professional support with an RFI response or a decision-ready application, call our 24/7 direct line: +61 8 9131 6011.
Important information: The “one opportunity” RFI practice described above is based on the Department’s April 2026 Partner Processing Newsletter. The precise handling of requests and extensions may change. Confirm the instructions in your own correspondence and check current information directly on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before relying on this practice.
Build a clear relationship-evidence file
The best evidence file is organised, consistent and supported by documents. A large upload is not automatically a strong one.
Common issues include:
- Gaps in the timeline. Important periods may be left unexplained.
- Evidence that tells only one part of the story. For example, shared travel records without evidence of a shared life at other times.
- Conflicting details. Dates, addresses or relationship histories may not match across forms and supporting statements.
- Unlabelled documents. The decision-maker should not have to guess what a file shows.
- Old evidence only. The application may need updated material as circumstances change.
Consider organising evidence around the aspects of the relationship relevant to your application. Depending on your circumstances, this may include shared financial arrangements, household responsibilities, social recognition and your commitment to each other. Provide context where something is unusual, missing or has changed.
Use a simple index. Give each document a clear name. Make sure statements and records are consistent. Keep copies of everything lodged. Update relevant information if your circumstances change.
How Skillage Nimbus can assist
A Partner visa application can involve detailed evidence and important decisions about where and when to apply. Skillage Nimbus can help assess your circumstances, explain onshore and offshore options, organise supporting material and prepare or manage an application.
Ashish Thapa is a Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2217972) and Licensed Immigration Adviser (New Zealand) (IAA 202503676).
Find out more about our migration services or speak with a migration agent in Adelaide.
A note on skilled migration
Partner visas are family visas. They are separate from South Australia skilled migration pathways such as SA 190 nomination and SA 491. The State Nomination Occupation List relates to skilled nomination, including the subclass 190 visa and subclass 491 visa, also known as the skilled work regional visa 491.
If you are considering Australian skilled migration or permanent residency Australia, seek advice about the pathway that applies to your circumstances. A migration agent Australia-wide, a migration agent Adelaide or an immigration lawyer Adelaide can help explain relevant options.
Learn More
Get advice on your options before lodging or making travel plans.
Book a Partner visa consultation with Skillage Nimbus
For direct assistance, call our 24/7 direct line: +61 8 9131 6011.
General information disclaimer: This article is general information only, not legal or migration advice. Eligibility depends on individual circumstances. Visa settings, processing directions and Department procedures can change. Verify current requirements and guidance directly on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before acting. No visa outcome or processing speed is guaranteed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Direction 117 change for Partner visa processing?
From 25 July 2026, it placed onshore Partner visa applications (subclasses 820 and 801) in a higher priority category than offshore applications (subclasses 309 and 100).
Does higher priority mean my onshore application will be decided quickly?
No. Direction 117 sets processing order. It does not promise a decision by a particular date, shorten statutory timeframes or guarantee an outcome.
What is the difference between the 820/801 and 309/100 pathways?
The 820 is the temporary onshore stage, followed by the permanent 801 stage. The 309 is the temporary/provisional offshore stage, followed by the permanent 100 stage.
Do we need to keep providing relationship evidence?
You must meet the relevant requirements at the applicable assessment stages. Keep your information current and follow the Department’s instructions about submitting evidence.
What should I do if I receive an RFI?
Read the request, identify each item required and respond by the deadline. If you need more time, request it before the deadline. An extension is not guaranteed, and you should not expect a routine reminder.
Can I enter Australia on a visitor visa and lodge a Partner visa onshore?
It depends on your visa conditions and circumstances. A No Further Stay condition may prevent an onshore application. Check your visa grant and current Department guidance before travelling or lodging.