Update (October 2026)
These concessions ended with the COVID-19 concession period on 25 November 2023. Partner and Child visa applicants who applied before 26 November 2023 and were in Australia at any time during the concession period can still be granted their visa in Australia; the Parent visa concession only applied during the concession period. See our COVID-19 concession period ending post for details.
Some categories of visas require applicants to be outside of Australia at the time the visa is granted. The Department is aware that COVID-19 travel restrictions are affecting visa applicants, particularly applicants for family visas who have come to Australia.
The Department is taking disruptions arising from the pandemic into account when considering visa applications. Visa applicants are being given additional time to complete the necessary requirements, including any current requirement to be offshore at time of visa grant.
Changes are intended to come into effect on 27 February 2021 to allow some Family stream visas, which have been applied for outside Australia, to be granted while the visa applicant is in Australia. This temporary concession would be for certain applicants who are in Australia and are not able to travel offshore to be granted the visa because of COVID-19 travel restrictions.
The concession would apply to eligible applicants for the following Partner and Child visa subclasses:
- Child (subclass 101) visa
- Adoption (subclass 102) visa
- Dependent Child (subclass 445) visa
- Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa
- Partner (subclass 309) visa
Another concession to allow visas to be granted to applicants in Australia would also be extended to eligible Parent visa applicants during the COVID-19 period. This concession is intended to commence on 24 March 2021 and would apply to the following visa subclasses:
- Parent (subclass 103) visa
- Contributory Parent (subclass 173) visa
- Contributory Parent (subclass 143) visa
Current processing timeframes for Parent visa applications would not be impacted by these amendments.
If the department have advised you that you need to be outside Australia for us to grant your parent visa but you are unable to depart Australia as a result of COVID-19 travel restrictions, the department will work with you to give you additional time until you can travel safely or until your visa can be granted while you are in Australia.
The Government is continually reviewing arrangements for visas during the pandemic.
If your visa has expired, or is about to expire, book a consultation to discuss your options to remain in Australia lawfully.
Related:
- COVID-19 concession period ending
- English Test for Permanent Stage of Partner Visas
- Australia Visa Waivers and Refunds
- Partner visa grants, refusals, cases on hand and processing times
- COVID-19 concessions for Employer-Sponsored visas (SC457-482 and 186-187)
- COVID-19 Concessions for Business visas
- COVID-19 Concessions for Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visas
- COVID-19 Concessions for Skilled Regional 887 visa
- Concession for partner visas, contributory parent visas and child visas affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions
- Latest COVID-19 concessions for Australian visas
- COVID-19 waiver for offshore Partner visa grant requirement
What this means in 2026
This concession let some family visa applicants who were stuck in Australia during the border closures be granted their visa without leaving. It ended on 25 November 2023. If you applied for an offshore family visa after that date, you must be outside Australia when it is granted, so plan your travel around the decision. If you applied before 26 November 2023 and were in Australia at any time during the concession period, your partner or child visa can still be granted in Australia.
| Visa (applied outside Australia) | Where you must be at grant | Main applicant charge from 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Partner (subclass 309/100) and Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) | Outside Australia | AUD 11,710 |
| Child (subclass 101) and Adoption (subclass 102) | Outside Australia | AUD 4,040 |
| Parent (subclass 103) | Outside Australia | AUD 6,600 plus a second instalment of AUD 2,065 |
| Contributory Parent (subclass 143) | Outside Australia | AUD 6,300 plus a second instalment of AUD 43,600 |
Can I visit Australia while my offshore family visa is processed?
Yes, if you hold a visitor visa or another visa that lets you travel. You will need to leave before the family visa can be granted, and Home Affairs may ask you to depart when a decision is near.
Is there an onshore option instead?
For partners, the onshore 820/801 partner visa can be lodged in Australia if you hold a suitable visa. Parents can apply for the 804 or 864 aged parent visas in Australia if they meet the age and other rules.
Why are parent visas taking so long?
Parent visas are capped each program year, so most applications wait in a queue for many years. Contributory parent visas are processed faster than the non-contributory 103 visa, but they cost much more.
Next steps: check whether your visa must be granted outside Australia before you make travel plans, keep your documents and health checks current while you wait, and book a consultation if you are unsure which family visa suits you.
Applying for Another Visitor Visa From Inside Australia
Visiting Australia While Your Partner or Parent Visa Is Being Processed
Sponsored Family Visitor Visas: Who Can Sponsor and How Security Bonds Work
Visitor Visa Conditions Explained: 8101, 8201, 8503, 8531 and 8558
Studying on a Visitor Visa: The 3 Month Rule and Your Options