Partner Visa

Onshore (Subclass 820/801), Offshore (Subclass 309/100)

Australia’s Partner Visa program allows couples to live together in Australia while working towards permanent residency. Designed for Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens to sponsor their partner, this visa is one of the most important family reunification pathways.

Partner Visas follow a two-stage process starting with a temporary visa and progressing to permanent residency, and can be applied for either onshore (Subclass 820/801) or offshore (Subclass 309/100). While the pathway is rewarding, it is also detailed, evidence-heavy, and currently subject to long processing times.

At My Immigration Options, we support couples through every stage of the Partner Visa journey. From preparing strong relationship evidence and statements to managing complex requirements and ongoing updates, we help you navigate the process with confidence, clarity, and care, so you can focus on your future together in Australia.

Introduction

For many couples, living apart due to visa restrictions can be one of the most stressful and emotional challenges to face. The Australian Partner Visa program exists to bring couples together, allowing Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens to sponsor their partners to live in Australia.

There are two main streams of Partner Visas: the onshore pathway (Subclass 820/801) and the offshore pathway (Subclass 309/100). Both follow a two-stage process where the temporary visa is granted first, followed by permanent residency after further evidence is provided.

At My Immigration Options, we assist couples with every step of this process, from gathering relationship evidence to writing strong statements and ensuring all documents are complete. With our guidance, you can approach the Partner Visa process with clarity and confidence.

Who Can Apply for a Partner Visa?

To be eligible for a Partner Visa, applicants must be in a genuine and ongoing relationship with an eligible sponsor. This can include married couples, de facto partners (including same-sex couples), and couples who have registered their relationship in an Australian state or territory.

Other key requirements include:

  • The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen

  • The relationship must be genuine and continuing

  • Evidence must cover financial, social, household, and emotional aspects of the relationship

  • Both applicant and sponsor must meet health and character requirements

  • There are limits on how many times someone can sponsor a partner, which must be considered

Current Partner Visa Processing Times

Recent trends show that around 90% of applications are taking 26 months or longer to finalise.

These extended wait times are largely due to:

A high volume of Partner Visa applications

Increased verification and assessment requirements

Mandatory health, character, and security checks

Limited departmental processing capacity

Both onshore Partner Visas (Subclass 820/801) and offshore Partner Visas (Subclass 309/100) are experiencing longer processing times.

Because of this, lodging a complete, well-prepared, and well-documented application is now more critical than ever.

The Application Process

Applying for a Student Visa involves multiple steps, and missing any detail can delay or even jeopardise your application. The process typically involves:

Step 1

Apply for a Course and Receive a CoE

Before applying for your visa, you must be accepted into a CRICOS-registered course. Once enrolled, your education provider will issue a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).

Step 2

Create an

ImmiAccount

Applications are lodged online through the Department of Home Affairs’ portal known as

ImmiAccount.

Step 3

Prepare and Upload Your Documents

Documents include identity papers, financial evidence, health insurance, English test results, and your GTE statement. Providing complete and accurate information is critical.

Step 4

Pay the Visa

Application Fee

The standard fee as of 2025 is AUD $710 for the main applicant, with additional costs for dependants.

Step 5

Health and

Character Checks

Depending on your background, you may be required to attend medical exams and provide police clearances.

Step 6

Wait for a Decision

Processing times vary. Some applications may be finalised within a few weeks, while others can take months depending on complexity and workload.

Is There a Cap on Partner Visas?

Partner Visas are not formally capped under Australia’s migration program.

However, many applicants describe the current situation as a “quasi-cap”, as slow processing effectively limits the number of visa grants each year.

Unless additional resources are allocated or program priorities change, backlogs may continue to affect processing times moving forward.

How Partner Visas Are Prioritised (Direction 102)

Under Ministerial Direction 102, Partner Visas fall under Priority 2 within the Family Visa processing order.

This places them ahead of several other family visa types, but below Priority 1 visas, which continue to receive precedence.

As a result, Partner Visa timelines may still be impacted by workload distribution and competing visa priorities.

What Applicants Should Know

Prepare for extended wait times

Expect delays and plan your relationship, travel, and settlement timelines accordingly.

Submit a decision-ready application

Well-organised applications with strong evidence have a better chance of avoiding unnecessary requests for more information (RFIs).

Monitor changes to partner and family visa processing priorities

Government directions and immigration policy updates can influence how quickly applications move.

Keep your evidence up to date

This includes:

Relationship documents

Financial and household evidence

Statutory declarations

Updated police clearances

Health examinations

What Applicants Need to Know

Partner Visas remain one of Australia’s most popular family reunion pathways. However, increasing application numbers and limited processing capacity have led to significant delays. Both onshore (Subclass 820/801) and offshore (Subclass 309/100) applications are now taking longer to finalise, with around 90% of cases taking 26 months or more.

These delays are mainly due to high demand, detailed relationship assessment requirements, and mandatory health, character, and security checks. For this reason, submitting a complete and well-prepared application is more important than ever.

Although Partner Visas are not officially capped, many applicants describe the current situation as a “quasi-cap”, where slow processing effectively limits the number of visas granted each year. Without additional resources or policy changes, processing backlogs may continue.

Under Ministerial Direction 102, Partner Visas are assessed under Priority 2 in the Family Visa processing order. While this places them ahead of some other family visas, Priority 1 applications are processed first, which can further affect timelines.

What Applicants Should Keep in Mind

  • Expect extended processing times

  • Lodge a decision-ready, well-documented application

  • Keep relationship evidence and police checks up to date

  • Stay informed about changes to family visa priorities

Professional guidance can help strengthen your application and reduce avoidable delays.

Evidence Required for a Partner Visa

One of the most important parts of a Partner Visa application is the evidence provided to show that the relationship is genuine.

The Department of Home Affairs assesses relationships across four key areas:

Financial aspects

Joint bank accounts, shared bills, evidence of shared financial responsibilities.

Social aspects

Joint invitations, photos together, travel records, statements from friends and family.

Household aspects

Shared living arrangements, joint leases, evidence of day-to-day responsibilities.

Commitment

Relationship statements, communication records, long-term plans.

Temporary and Permanent Stages

The Partner Visa is a two-stage process:

  • Onshore applicants apply for the Subclass 820 (temporary) and later transition to the Subclass 801 (permanent).

  • Offshore applicants apply for the Subclass 309 (temporary) and later transition to the Subclass 100 (permanent).

The temporary visa allows the applicant to live, work, and study in Australia while the permanent stage is being processed. The permanent stage is usually assessed about two years after the initial application, although some couples qualify earlier if they have been together for a long period or share children.

Processing Times

Processing times for Partner Visas vary, but as of 2025 the averages are:

  • Subclass 820 (onshore temporary): 8–20 months

  • Subclass 801 (onshore permanent): around 18–24 months after eligibility date

  • Subclass 309 (offshore temporary): 12–24 months

  • Subclass 100 (offshore permanent): around 16–28 months after eligibility date

It is important to understand that these are average estimates only. Some applications are processed more quickly, while others may take longer depending on the complexity of the case and the strength of evidence provided.

Benefits of a Partner Visa

Holding a Partner Visa offers significant benefits for couples. Temporary visa holders are granted full work rights, study rights, and access to Medicare. They can live together in Australia while waiting for the permanent stage to be processed. Once permanent residency is granted, the visa holder enjoys the same benefits as any other permanent resident, including the ability to apply for citizenship when eligible.

Common Challenges and Refusals

Unfortunately, Partner Visa applications can be refused if the Department is not satisfied that the relationship is genuine.

Some common issues include:

  • Lack of evidence of living together

  • Weak or inconsistent relationship statements

  • Failure to provide police clearances or health checks

  • Past visa refusals or compliance issues

Many refusals occur simply because applicants do not provide enough detail or overlook important documents. Having a migration agent manage the application can reduce the risk of mistakes and strengthen the evidence.

Costs and Financial Considerations

The application fee for a Partner Visa is one of the highest of all Australian visa categories. As of 2025, the base application fee is AUD $8,850 for the main applicant. Additional charges apply for dependent children. While this is a significant cost, it reflects the fact that the visa provides a direct pathway to permanent residency.

Applicants must also budget for costs such as health checks, police clearances, and certified translations of documents.

Why Apply with My Immigration Options?

Partner Visa applications are often described as some of the most complex and emotionally challenging visas to prepare. At My Immigration Options, we specialise in supporting couples throughout this journey.

Our services include:

  • Guidance on the best visa pathway (onshore or offshore)

  • Comprehensive document checklists

  • Assistance with relationship statements and statutory declarations

  • Lodgement and management of the visa application through ImmiAccount

  • Ongoing communication with the Department on your behalf

  • Support in preparing for the permanent stage (801 or 100)

By working with us, you can focus on your relationship and future plans while we manage the paperwork and compliance requirements.

Conclusion

Partner Visas are more than just paperwork — they represent a couple’s future together. While the process can be long and costly, it is also one of the most rewarding pathways, providing the chance to live, work, and build a life in Australia with the person you love.

At My Immigration Options, we have guided many couples through the Partner Visa process successfully. Whether you are applying from within Australia or from overseas, we will provide the advice, support, and expertise needed to give your application the best chance of success.

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Ready to start your Partner Visa application?

Contact us today to book a consultation and take the next step towards your future together.

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