Being apart from your partner in a foreign country can be an emotionally difficult time. In Australia, married partners and de facto partners in a relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen may be granted a partner visa to live in Australia.
Obtaining a permanent partner visa is a two-stage process where you apply for both a temporary and permanent visa at the same time. If you’re granted the temporary visa, you’re eligible to progress your permanent visa application after two years residency.
There are three eligibility pathways to apply for a partner visa:
Every couple’s circumstances are unique. At Australian Education and Visa Centre, we can help you build a strong case for your application, selecting the best visa category to suit your situation.
The Prospective Marriage visa allows the visa holder to enter Australia on the condition that they marry their partner and apply for a residence visa onshore. This visa is valid for a period of nine months only.
You must enter Australia, marry your sponsor and apply for a Partner visa (subclasses 820 and 801) within this timeframe.
Under a Prospective Marriage visa you can:
You may be eligible for a partner category visa if you are:
Prospective Marriage (Temporary), you:
Step 1: Apply Temporary visa SUB 300 – Prospective Marriage (Temporary)
You:
Step 2: Temporary visa SUB 820 – Partner (provisional)
Once the SUB 300 visa is granted, you:
Step 3: Permanent visa SUB 801 – Partner (migrant)
Two years after first applying for the SUB 820 visa, you:
Limitations on Sponsorship
Waiver on Partner Sponsorship Limitations
There is a waiver provision that allows your sponsorship to be approved if the decision maker is satisfied that compelling circumstances affecting you exist. Compelling circumstances include, but are not limited to, those where:
you and your current fiancé(e) or partner have children of your relationship.
Waiver of the 12-month relationship requirement
The 12-month relationship requirement does not apply if:
If the relationship with your partner ends
If your relationship with your partner ends, you must inform the department immediately. In certain circumstances, you may still be eligible to be granted a permanent Partner visa.
You may still be eligible for the Partner visa if you:
Your partner dies
If you pay for your application by credit card, a surcharge will apply. The current surcharge rates are:
* The surcharge will also apply to Debit Visa cards and Debit MasterCards
Visa | Base application charge | Additional applicant charge 18 and over | Additional applicant charge under 18 |
---|---|---|---|
Prospective Marriage (Subclass 300) | AUD $7715 | AUD $3860 | AUD $1935 |
Partner (Subclass 309/100) | AUD $7715 | AUD $3860 | AUD $1935 |
A person can sponsor their partner provided they:
The Partner (Temporary) visa (subclass 309) is for couples located outside of Australia at the time of application. This is a temporary visa for the partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
If granted, your partner can live, work and study in Australia for a two-year period while the decision regarding permanent residency is pending.
The Partner (Migrant) visa (subclass 100) is a permanent visa for the partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. This application is made at the same time as the temporary visa application. If granted, your partner will be able to remain permanently in Australia.
You may be eligible for a partner category visa if you are:
You and your Australian partner:
Temporary Partner visa SUB309 – Partner(Temporary)
You and your Australian partner:
Permanentvisa SUB100 – Partner (migrant)
Two years after first applying for the SUB309 visa, you:
Step 1: Apply Temporary Partner visa SUB 309 – Partner (Temporary)
You and your Australian partner:
Step 2: Permanent visa SUB 100 – Partner (migrant)
Two years after first applying for the SUB 309 visa, you:
Please Note: If you have a debt to the Australian Government you may not be granted a Partner Visa Until you have made satisfactory arrangements to pay that debt.
Limitations on Sponsorship
Waiver on Partner Sponsorship Limitations
There is a waiver provision that allows your sponsorship to be approved if the decision maker is satisfied that compelling circumstances affecting you exist. Compelling circumstances include, but are not limited to, those where:
you and your current fiancé(e) or partner have children of your relationship.
Waiver of the 12-month relationship requirement
The 12-month relationship requirement does not apply if:
If the relationship with your partner ends
If your relationship with your partner ends, you must inform the department immediately. In certain circumstances, you may still be eligible to be granted a permanent Partner visa.
You may still be eligible for the Partner visa if you:
Your partner dies
If you pay for your application by credit card, a surcharge will apply. The current surcharge rates are:
* The surcharge will also apply to Debit Visa cards and Debit MasterCards
Visa | Base application charge | Additional applicant charge 18 and over | Additional applicant charge under 18 |
---|---|---|---|
Prospective Marriage (Subclass 300) | AUD $7715 | AUD $3860 | AUD $1935 |
Partner (Subclass 309/100) | AUD $7715 | AUD $3860 | AUD $1935 |
A person can sponsor their partner provided they:
The Partner (Temporary) visa (subclass 820) is for married or de facto couples who are located in Australia at the time the visa application is lodged. This is a temporary visa for the partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
If granted, your partner can live, work and study in Australia for a two-year period while the decision regarding permanent residency is pending.
The Partner (Migrant) visa (subclass 801) is a permanent visa for the partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. This application is made at the same time as the temporary visa application. If granted, your partner will be able to remain permanently in Australia.
You may be eligible for a partner category visa if you are:
Temporary visa SUB 820 – Partner (provisional)
Once the SUB 300 visa isgranted, you:
Permanentvisa SUB 801 – Partner (migrant)
Two years after first applying for the SUB 820 visa, you:
Step 1: Apply Temporary visa SUB 820 – Partner (provisional)
You and your Australian partner:
Step 2: Permanent visa SUB 801 – Partner (migrant)
Two years after first applying for the SUB 820 visa, you:
Please Note: you may not be able to make a valid application or you may not be eligible to be granted a Partner visa, if you:
have a debt to the Australian Government and have not made satisfactory arrangements to repay the debt.
Limitations on Sponsorship
Waiver on Partner Sponsorship Limitations
There is a waiver provision that allows your sponsorship to be approved if the decision maker is satisfied that compelling circumstances affecting you exist. Compelling circumstances include, but are not limited to, those where:
you and your current fiancé(e) or partner have children of your relationship.
Waiver of the 12-month relationship requirement
The 12-month relationship requirement does not apply if:
If the relationship with your partner ends
If your relationship with your partner ends, you must inform the department immediately. In certain circumstances, you may still be eligible to be granted a permanent Partner visa.
You may still be eligible for the Partner visa if you:
Your partner dies
If you pay for your application by credit card, a surcharge will apply. The current surcharge rates are:
* The surcharge will also apply to Debit Visa cards and Debit MasterCards
Visa | Base application charge | Additional applicant charge 18 and over | Additional applicant charge under 18 |
---|---|---|---|
Partner (Subclass 820/801) | AUD $7715 | AUD $3860 | AUD $1935 |
Partner (Subclass 820/801) visa application by Prospective Marriage (Subclass 300) visa holder | AUD $1285 | AUD $645 | AUD $320 |
A person can sponsor their partner provided they:
Lodging a visa application with Australian immigration authorities can be complicated and time-consuming. At Australian Education and Visa (AEV) Centre, our agents will guide you smoothly through the process.
With expert counsellors at the ready, our team can answer any questions about immigration and visas that you have.