Visa processing times / Subclass 157
157 Resident Return Visa processing time
As of 2 November 2026, Home Affairs reports that 90% of recently decided Three Month Resident Return visa applications were finalised within 62 days, and half within 12 days.
Half decided within
12 days
9 in 10 decided within
62 days
Three Month Resident Return visaUpdated 2 November 2026
62 days
for 90% of applications
Applications decided in the period ending 30 September 2026
- 25% decided within5 days
- 50% decided within12 days
- 75% decided within42 days
- 90% decided within62 days
Source: Department of Home Affairs, global visa processing times.
Key facts
- As of 2 November 2026, Home Affairs reports that 90% of Three Month Resident Return visa applications were decided within 62 days, 75% within 42 days, 50% within 12 days and 25% within 5 days.
- The figures cover applications decided in the period ending 30 September 2026 and are measured from lodgement to decision.
- Home Affairs revises these processing times about once a month.
Checked against Home Affairs every day. Last checked 11 November 2026.
Cite this page
AusVisaClock. “157 visa processing time.” Updated 2 November 2026. https://ausvisaclock.com/157-visa-processing-time/
The figures come from the Department of Home Affairs. You may quote them with a link to this page.
When could my 157 be decided?
Enter the date you lodged. We add the department’s published percentiles to it and show where today falls: how many applications like yours were decided in the time you have already waited.
How the 157 wait has moved
The gap between the median and the 90th percentile is about 7 weeks.
Trend starts with the next release.
157 visa processing time questions
How long does the 157 visa take?
In the department’s latest figures (published 2 November 2026, for applications decided in the period ending 30 September 2026), 50% of Three Month Resident Return visa applications were decided within 12 days, 75% within 42 days and 90% within 62 days.
What do the 25%, 50%, 75% and 90% figures mean?
They are percentiles of recently decided applications. “90% within 62 days” means nine in ten applications decided in the reporting period took 62 days or less from lodgement to decision. They describe applications that have already been decided, so they lag behind changes in the queue and do not guarantee a time for any single application.
My 157 application is past the 90% time. What now?
Some applications take longer, for example when the department asks for more information, health or character checks are still open, or the application was incomplete when lodged. The department says it is usually not useful to contact it before the processing time has passed. After that, you can check your ImmiAccount and use the department’s enquiry form. For advice about your own application, speak to a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner.
How often are these processing times updated?
The Department of Home Affairs revises its global processing times about once a month, a few weeks after the end of each reporting period. AusVisaClock checks the department’s figures every day, updates this page when they change, and keeps each release so you can see the trend.
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