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.
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Tell us your situation - we'll be in touch within 24 hours.
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.
Already in Australia? Apply From Here.
If your partner is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen and you are currently in Australia, this is your pathway. You first receive a temporary visa (820), then a permanent visa (801) after 2 years.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fill the Form
Tell us your visa type, situation and where you are currently based. Takes 2 minutes.
We Review Your Case
Our team looks at your specific relationship situation, location, and visa category to understand your best next step.
We Reach Out
Within 24 hours we contact you on WhatsApp or email with guidance tailored specifically to your partner visa case.
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."
"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."
"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."
Frequently Asked
Partner Visa Questions We Get Asked Most
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Keep Reading
Related Articles You Should Read
Australia Partner Visa - Complete Step by Step Process Guide
Everything you need to know about the partner visa application process from start to finish.
Read Article →How to Prove a Genuine Relationship for an Australian Partner Visa
A practical guide to gathering the right evidence across all four assessment categories.
Read Article →Errors to Avoid in Your Australia Partner Visa Application
The most common mistakes that cause partner visa delays and refusals - and how to avoid them.
Read Article →Australia Partner Visa Processing Delays - What is Causing the Queue?
Why partner visas are taking so long and what you can do to manage the wait.
Read Article →Temporary to Permanent Partner Visa - How the Stage 2 Process Works
What happens after the 820 or 309 is granted and how to prepare for the permanent visa review.
Read Article →Common Questions About the Australia Partner Visa - Full FAQ Guide
Answers to the most frequently asked partner visa questions in one place.
Read Article →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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