Partner Visa Australia 2026 | Get Expert Help | Aussie Migration Guide
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Applying for an
Australian Partner Visa?
Get the Right Help.

The partner visa process is one of Australia's longest and most document-heavy applications. One missing piece can delay your case by years. Tell us your situation - we'll guide you through it.

Onshore (820/801) and offshore (309/100) visas covered
De facto and married couples - both eligible
Free assessment - hear back within 24 hours
✓ Free Assessment

Get Partner Visa Help

Tell us your situation - we'll be in touch within 24 hours.


2-3 yrs
Average processing time
820/801
Onshore pathway
309/100
Offshore pathway
24 hrs
We respond within

Know Your Visa

Which Partner Visa Do You Need?

Australia has two partner visa pathways depending on where you are when you apply. Each has different requirements, costs and timelines.

Subclass 309 → 100 Offshore Application

Applying From Outside Australia?

If you are currently living outside Australia and your partner is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen, you apply for the offshore partner visa. Stage 1 (309) is temporary; Stage 2 (100) is permanent.

Who applies: Applicant currently outside Australia
Stage 1: Subclass 309 - Temporary partner visa
Stage 2: Subclass 100 - Permanent partner visa
Processing: 12-24 months for temporary grant
Travel: Can enter Australia once 309 is granted

What You Need

Key Requirements for an Australian Partner Visa

The Department of Home Affairs assesses your relationship across four categories. You need strong evidence across all four - not just one or two.

Relationship Evidence

  • Joint bank account statements or financial records
  • Shared lease, mortgage or utility bills
  • Photos together across different time periods
  • Travel records showing you've spent time together
  • Statutory declarations from people who know you as a couple

Identity & Status Documents

  • Valid passport (sponsor and applicant)
  • Birth certificates
  • Marriage certificate (if married)
  • Evidence of divorce or death of former spouse (if applicable)
  • Australian citizenship or PR documents for sponsor

Communication Evidence

  • WhatsApp, email or chat history showing ongoing contact
  • Call logs or phone records
  • Video call screenshots or records
  • Letters or cards exchanged
  • Evidence of how you met and relationship history

Social Recognition

  • Evidence friends and family know you as a couple
  • Joint invitations to events or functions
  • Each other listed on official documents (insurance, next of kin)
  • Social media showing your relationship publicly
  • Witness statements from mutual friends or family

What to Expect

Partner Visa Timeline - What Happens After You Apply

The partner visa process is a two-stage journey. Understanding the timeline helps you plan your life around it - not the other way around.

Onshore - Subclass 820 → 801
Day 1
Application Lodged
You lodge the combined 820/801 application online with all supporting documents and pay the application charge (currently ~AUD $8,850).
Within days
Bridging Visa A Issued
You receive a Bridging Visa A automatically, allowing you to remain in Australia lawfully while the application is processed.
12-24 months
Subclass 820 Granted
Temporary partner visa granted. You can now live and work in Australia. The two-year waiting period for permanent residency begins.
2 years after lodgement
Subclass 801 Assessment
Home Affairs reviews your ongoing relationship. You'll need to provide updated evidence that you're still together.
~2-3 years total
Permanent Residency Granted ✓
Subclass 801 permanent visa granted. You are now a permanent resident of Australia.
Offshore - Subclass 309 → 100
Day 1
Application Lodged Overseas
You lodge from outside Australia. Same combined application and fee (~AUD $8,850). You must remain outside Australia until the 309 is granted.
12-24 months
Subclass 309 Granted
Temporary partner visa granted. You can now travel to and live in Australia. Work rights are included from the date of grant.
During waiting period
Continue Building Evidence
Keep documenting your relationship - shared finances, living arrangements, travel, communications. You'll need this for Stage 2.
2 years after lodgement
Subclass 100 Assessment
Home Affairs assesses your relationship. Stronger evidence means a smoother, faster permanent visa grant.
~2-4 years total
Permanent Residency Granted ✓
Subclass 100 permanent visa granted. You are a permanent resident and can live, work and study anywhere in Australia.

Avoid These

6 Mistakes That Get Partner Visas Delayed or Refused

These are the most common reasons partner visa applications run into serious problems - and they're all avoidable.

01

Weak Relationship Evidence

A handful of photos is not enough. Home Affairs wants to see financial interdependence, shared living, and documented social recognition - across all four categories.

02

Sponsor Eligibility Issues

Your Australian partner must be eligible to sponsor. Previous sponsorships, criminal history, or not meeting residency requirements can disqualify a sponsor entirely.

03

Missing or Outdated Documents

Police clearances, medical exams, and statutory declarations all have expiry windows. Submitting expired documents is one of the most common causes of delays.

04

Not Updating Home Affairs

If your address, relationship status, or circumstances change after lodging - you must notify Home Affairs. Failing to do so can result in visa cancellation.

05

Applying in the Wrong Category

Applying onshore when you're offshore (or vice versa) is an automatic refusal with no refund. Many people make this mistake trying to DIY their application.

06

Ignoring the Stage 2 Review

Many couples stop documenting their relationship after the Stage 1 grant. When Stage 2 review comes, they have almost no new evidence - causing major delays or refusal.

How We Help

How Our Free Assessment Works

Simple, fast and completely free - from form to guidance in under 24 hours.

1

Fill the Form

Tell us your visa type, situation and where you are currently based. Takes 2 minutes.

2

We Review Your Case

Our team looks at your specific relationship situation, location, and visa category to understand your best next step.

3

We Reach Out

Within 24 hours we contact you on WhatsApp or email with guidance tailored specifically to your partner visa case.

4

Move Forward

With clarity on your pathway, documents needed and what to expect - you start your application the right way.

Real Stories

Partner Visa Success Stories

★★★★★

"My 820 visa had been sitting in the queue for over 18 months with no update. After submitting my details I was guided on exactly which steps to take. My visa was granted 3 months later."

MR
Maria R.
Subclass 820 · Philippines → Sydney
★★★★★

"I was outside Australia and had no idea whether to apply for 309 or wait. The guidance I got was clear and specific to my situation. We lodged within 2 weeks and I'm now on a 309 waiting for permanent."

RK
Rajan K.
Subclass 309 · India → Melbourne
★★★★★

"Our de facto partner visa was refused the first time because we didn't have enough evidence. After getting proper guidance we reapplied with the right documents. Approved first time round."

SN
Salma N.
De Facto 820 · Morocco → Brisbane

Frequently Asked

Partner Visa Questions We Get Asked Most

How long does an Australian partner visa take in 2026?

Processing times have changed significantly. For the onshore 820 visa, temporary grants are currently taking 12-24 months. Permanent 801 grants come approximately 2 years after the original lodgement date. Offshore 309 visas are taking 12-24 months for a temporary grant. These timeframes vary based on case complexity and document completeness.

Can I apply if I am in a de facto relationship (not married)?

Yes. Australia recognises de facto relationships for partner visa purposes. You must generally demonstrate that you have been in a genuine de facto relationship for at least 12 months before applying, unless you are registered as a couple in an Australian state or territory.

Can I work in Australia while my partner visa is being processed?

If you are onshore and apply for the 820 visa, you will receive a Bridging Visa A which includes work rights. Once your 820 is granted, you have full work rights. For offshore applicants, work rights begin from the date the 309 temporary visa is granted and you enter Australia.

What if my partner visa gets refused?

A refusal is not necessarily the end. Depending on your circumstances, you may have the right to appeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) within a set timeframe. Acting quickly is essential as appeal deadlines are strict. Submit your details and our team will assess your situation.

How much does the partner visa cost?

The current government application charge for partner visas (both onshore and offshore combined applications) is approximately AUD $8,850 for the primary applicant as of 2026. Additional charges apply for secondary applicants. This is paid at the time of lodgement and is non-refundable regardless of outcome.

Is this assessment really free?

Yes - completely free. Fill in the form above, and our team will review your partner visa situation and reach out to you within 24 hours with specific guidance for your case.

Don't Navigate the Partner Visa Alone

The partner visa is one of Australia's most complex and emotionally high-stakes applications. Get the right guidance from the start - completely free.

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