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Partner Visa Offshore (Subclass 309 and 100)
Reviewed by Mohammad Saghir Khan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1170510)Last reviewed:
The offshore partner visa lets the married or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen move to Australia. You apply from outside Australia for the provisional visa (subclass 309) and the permanent visa (subclass 100) together, with one charge of AUD 11,710 from 1 July 2026. Once the 309 is granted you can live, work and study in Australia, and the permanent stage is usually assessed 2 years after you applied.
Partner Visa (309/100) at a Glance
| Visa type | Provisional (309), then permanent (100) |
|---|---|
| Who it is for | Married or de facto partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens |
| Where to apply | Outside Australia |
| De facto rule | 12 months living together before applying, unless registered or another exception applies |
| Rights on the 309 | Live, work and study in Australia, enrol in Medicare and travel |
| Government charge | AUD 11,710 main applicant, AUD 5,860 per adult and AUD 2,935 per child (from 1 July 2026), covering both stages |
| Processing (90%) | 309: 32 months. 100: 21 months (updated 29 September 2026) |
How the Two Stages Work
- Stage 1, Partner (Provisional) visa subclass 309: you apply from outside Australia for both visas. Once the 309 is granted, you can move to Australia and live, work and study there.
- Stage 2, Partner (Migrant) visa subclass 100: usually assessed 2 years after you applied, using updated evidence that your relationship is continuing.
If you were in a long-term relationship when you applied, generally 3 years or more, or 2 years or more with a dependent child of the relationship, the permanent visa may be granted earlier.
Relationship and Sponsor Requirements
The rules are the same as for the onshore partner visa:
- Married, or de facto and usually living together for 12 months before applying (unless your relationship is registered with an Australian state or territory or another exception applies).
- Evidence of finances, household, social life and commitment, plus 2 Form 888 statements.
- A sponsor who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, aged 18 or over, who meets character requirements and is not affected by the sponsorship limits: a third partner sponsorship, or sponsoring or being sponsored as a partner in the last 5 years.
Visiting Australia While You Wait
The 309 does not let you live in Australia until it is granted. Many partners apply for a Visitor visa to spend time together while the 309 is processed. A visitor visa is assessed on its own merits, and you must be genuine about leaving when it ends. Because of how the 309 is assessed, take advice before planning to be in Australia when a decision is likely.
Onshore or offshore? Under Ministerial Direction 117 (from 25 July 2026), family applications made in Australia are processed ahead of applications made outside Australia. If you are already in Australia on a substantive visa without a "no further stay" condition, the onshore 820/801 may be an option. We can compare both for you.
Processing Times
Home Affairs figures updated on 29 September 2026 show 50% of 309 applications decided within 21 months and 90% within 32 months. For the permanent 100, 50% were decided within 9 months and 90% within 21 months.
How to Apply
- Check eligibility and the sponsor's historyConfirm your relationship meets the rules and that your sponsor is not affected by sponsorship limits.
- Collect relationship and identity evidenceEvidence across the four areas, Form 888 statements, passports, birth and marriage certificates, and translations.
- Get police certificatesFrom each country where you lived 12 months or more in the last 10 years since turning 16.
- Lodge the combined 309/100 application from outside AustraliaApply online in ImmiAccount and pay the charge. Your sponsor then lodges the sponsorship.
- Health checks and biometricsComplete these when asked by Home Affairs.
- Move to Australia and provide stage 2 evidenceAfter your 309 is granted, travel to Australia. About 2 years after lodging, provide evidence for the permanent 100.
How Aussie ASEAN Can Help
We prepare offshore partner applications for couples across Southeast Asia and beyond. We check eligibility and sponsor limits, organise evidence and translations, advise on visiting Australia while you wait, and manage your case through to permanent residence.
Free tools for this visa
Related visas
Every case is different. Talk to a Registered Migration Agent about your Partner Visa (309/100) before you lodge.
Book a consultationSources: Home Affairs: Partner visa (309) · Partner visa (100) · Family visa processing priorities · Global visa processing times
Frequently Asked Questions
Plain-English answers to the questions we are asked most often.
What is the difference between the 309 and the 100?
The 309 is the provisional partner visa that lets you move to and live in Australia. The 100 is the permanent partner visa, usually assessed 2 years after you applied. You apply for both together from outside Australia.
Do I have to be outside Australia to apply for a 309?
Yes. You and any family members in the application must be outside Australia when you apply. Home Affairs currently states you can be in or outside Australia when the provisional visa is decided, but check your situation before travelling.
How long does the 309 take?
Home Affairs figures updated on 29 September 2026 show 50% of 309 applications decided within 21 months and 90% within 32 months. Applications made in Australia are now prioritised over those made outside Australia.
Can I visit my partner in Australia while I wait?
You can apply for a Visitor visa, which is assessed separately. You must meet the genuine visitor requirement and comply with its conditions. Get advice before you travel.
How much does an offshore partner visa cost?
From 1 July 2026 the base charge is AUD 11,710 for the main applicant, AUD 5,860 for each adult family member and AUD 2,935 for each child. Lower charges apply to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens.
Can my partner sponsor me if they sponsored someone before?
Possibly not. Sponsorship may be refused if it would be your partner's third partner sponsorship, or if they sponsored a partner, or were sponsored as a partner, in the last 5 years. Exceptions apply, for example if you have a dependent child together.
Is a 309 or an 820 better?
If you are outside Australia, the 309/100 is usually the only option. If you are already in Australia on a substantive visa without a "no further stay" condition, the onshore 820/801 may be faster because onshore family applications now have higher processing priority.
Can my children come with me?
Yes. Dependent children can be included in the same application. Each child under 18 pays AUD 2,935 from 1 July 2026.
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