PARTNER & FAMILY MIGRATION
Partner Visa
Subclass 309 / 100
For spouses and de facto partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens applying outside Australia
VISA TYPE
Temporary → Permanent
APPLY FROM
Outside Australia
GOVERNMENT VISA CHARGE
From AUD $11,710*
ESTIMATED PROCESSING TIME
21 - 39 months*
*Government charges and processing times are indicative and subject to change. Current at September 2026.
Who is this Partner Visa 309/100 for?
One application. Two stages. A pathway to permanent residence.
The Partner Visa (subclasses 309 and 100) provides an offshore pathway to permanent residence for the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
The subclass 309 Partner Visa is the provisional stage. It allows an eligible spouse or de facto partner to enter and live in Australia while progressing towards the permanent subclass 100 Partner Visa.
In most cases, permanent Partner Visa assessment becomes available once two years have passed since the combined 309/100 application was lodged. Some applications can be considered differently depending on the circumstances.
01
Eligible relationship
You must be married to, or in a qualifying de facto relationship with, your sponsoring partner.
Key requirements for a Partner Visa 309/100
02
Genuine and continuing
The relationship must be genuine and continuing, with a mutual commitment to a shared life.
03
Eligible sponsor
Your partner must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen and meet the sponsorship requirements.
04
Apply outside Australia
For the subclass 309 pathway, the applicant must be outside Australia when the application is lodged.
05
De facto relationships
Additional requirements can apply to de facto couples, including relationship-duration requirements unless an exception applies.
06
Health & character
Health and character requirements apply, and sponsor character requirements may also be relevant.
01
Assess eligibility
Check the relationship, sponsorship and whether the offshore application pathway is appropriate.
How the Partner Visa 309/100 process works
02
Prepare the application
Build the relationship evidence and supporting documents for both applicant and sponsor
04
Temporary Partner Visa 309
If granted, the subclass 309 allows the applicant to enter and live in Australia while progressing through the Partner visa pathway.
03
Lodge the 309/100 Application
The temporary and permanent stages are applied for together
05
Permanent Partner Visa 100
When eligible, updated relationship evidence is provided for permanent-stage assessment
Things to check before applying for a Partner Visa
Where you are when applying
The subclass 309 is an offshore Partner visa pathway, so location and any plans to travel to Australia while the application is being processed should be considered carefully.
Visiting Australia while waiting
A pending 309/100 application does not itself give the applicant a visa to travel to Australia. Any separate visitor visa and entry arrangements need to be considered on their own merits.
Relationship evidence
The evidence should demonstrate how the relationship operates across finances, household arrangements, social recognition and commitment—not simply that documents exist.
Issues that may need closer attention
Previous sponsorships, character matters, periods of separation, dependent children, previous visa history or unusual relationship circumstances can require additional preparation.
Not sure whether the Partner Visa is right for you?
Partner visa eligibility can depend on the details of your relationship, immigration history and current circumstances. We can assess the pathway and identify issues that may need attention before you apply.