Partner Visa Program

The Partner Visa Program allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia and provides a clear path toward permanent residency.

Here’s how the program works:

  1. Temporary Partner Visa: The first step is to apply for a temporary partner visa. This lets you come to Australia and live here while you wait to apply for permanent residency. If you’re applying within Australia, you’ll apply for subclass 820. If you’re outside Australia, you’ll apply for subclass 309.

  2. Living, Working, and Studying: Once you receive the temporary partner visa, you’re allowed to live, work, and study in Australia. This stage lets you settle into life in Australia while you move through the partner visa process.

  3. Permanent Partner Visa: After some time on the temporary visa, you can apply for the permanent visa. If you started with subclass 820, you’ll move on to subclass 801. If you started with subclass 309, you’ll move on to subclass 100. These permanent visas give you the same rights as other permanent residents in Australia.

The program is open to all genuine couples, including both opposite-sex and same-sex couples. You’ll need to show evidence of a real, ongoing relationship with your partner to meet the visa requirements.

This pathway allows couples to build a life together in Australia, with the ultimate goal of achieving permanent residency.

Prospective Marriage

Prospective Marriage
Subclass 300 Visa

This visa allows those engaged to an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to enter Australia to marry. It is a temporary visa, valid for nine months, during which the visa holder must marry their partner. After marriage, they can apply for a Partner Visa to seek permanent residency.

Onshore Visas

Temporary Onshore Partner Visa
Subclass 820 Visa

This temporary visa is for partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens who apply while in Australia. It allows the visa holder to live, work, and study in Australia while they await eligibility for the permanent Partner Visa (Subclass 801).

Partner Visa (Permanent)
Subclass 801 Visa

This is the permanent stage for those who first held the onshore Subclass 820 visa. It grants the visa holder the same rights as other permanent residents, allowing them to live permanently in Australia with their partner.

Offshore Visas

Temporary Offshore Partner Visa
Subclass 309 Visa

This temporary visa is for partners who apply from outside Australia. It allows the visa holder to enter and live in Australia while they await eligibility for the permanent Partner Migrant Visa (Subclass 100).

Partner Migrant Visa
Subclass 100 Visa

This is the permanent stage for those who first held the offshore Subclass 309 visa. It grants permanent residency to the visa holder, allowing them to live in Australia indefinitely with their partner.

Frequently

Asked       

Questions

  • Yes, holders of a temporary Partner Visa (subclass 820) are eligible for Medicare.

  • The application fee for a Partner Visa starts at AUD 8,850. Additional costs may include health checks, police clearances, and document translations.

  • A temporary Partner Visa (subclass 820) has limitations such as not being a permanent residency status, requiring you to remain in Australia while awaiting the decision on the permanent visa, and compliance with conditions like relationship verification.

  • The 5-year rule for a Partner Visa refers to a guideline under which an Australian citizen or permanent resident cannot sponsor another partner for a Partner Visa if they have sponsored someone else for a Partner Visa in the past 5 years.

    Additionally, they cannot sponsor more than two people for Partner Visas in their lifetime, with exceptions granted in certain compassionate or compelling circumstances. This rule helps prevent misuse of the partner sponsorship process.