Partner Visa
If you are married or in a de facto relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you may be able to apply for a Partner Visa. There are two types of Partner Visas you can apply for:
Subclass 820/801: Onshore - When the applicant is in Australia when they lodge the visa application.
Subclass 309/100: Offshore - When the applicant is outside of Australia when they lodge the visa application
When a person lodges an application for a Partner Visa, they are applying for two visas at the same time.
See whether you meet the requirements
Application process
The Partner Visa application process involves two stages. The first stage temporary visa and the second stage permanent visa.
Stage two (subclass 801 or subclass 100)
Two years after the application is lodged, applicants are eligible to initiate the process for the second stage permanent visa, provided that they are still married or in a de facto relationship with their sponsor. Exemptions apply for applicants who are separated from their partner due to domestic violence.
Stage one (subclass 820 or subclass 309)
A temporary visa is decided first and if granted, allows the applicant to enter or stay in Australia until the decision is made on the second stage permanent visa.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for a Partner Visa:
Applicants can either be in Australia or outside Australia when they apply for this visa
The sponsor must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
The applicant must be either legally married or in a de facto relationship with a sponsor for at least 12 months
Sponsors must not have previously sponsored a spouse, de facto partner or fiancé on two or more occasions
If a sponsor has previously sponsored a spouse, de facto partner or fiancé, that sponsorship must not have been within the past 5 years
Evidence of a genuine and continuing relationship between the applicant and sponsor must be provided in support of the visa application
Applicants who lodge a Partner Visa application while they are in Australia are entitled to a bridging visa which permits them to remain in Australia until a decision on the Subclass 820 (first stage) Partner Visa is made.
Bridging visa holders who have applied for a Subclass 820 first stage Partner Visa will have access to Medicare.
A dependent child of the applicant can be included in the Partner Visa application.
A person who is granted a Subclass 820 or Subclass 309 visa will have full rights to live, work and study in Australia and have unlimited travel rights to enter and depart Australia.
A person who is granted a Subclass 801 or Subclass 100 visa becomes a permanent resident of Australia.
Key features
The current processing time for the first stage temporary visa is between 6 to 33 months for the Subclass 820 visa and between 6 to 27 months for the Subclass 309 visa.
COVID-19 delays
Due to COVID-19, some visa processing times have been affected and applications may take longer to finalise. The Department of Home Affairs is prioritising processing of visa applications for travellers who are exempt from our travel restrictions to help those who need urgent travel. For more information on travel restrictions and visa information, visit the Home Affairs COVID-19 website.
Processing times
Cost
Department of Home Affairs visa application charge for a Partner Visa application is currently $8,085 AUD, unless the applicant holds or has held a related Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300). Secondary applicants will incur an additional charge.
This does not include our service costs.
What others are saying
Our services
At Titan Migration, we have extensive knowledge of the legislation and policy relating to partner visas. We also have a wealth of experience with the partner visa application process.
If you choose to engage us to manage your partner visa application, here are some of the main services you will be provided with:
A full assessment of your relationship and circumstances
Explanation whether you meet the eligibility for the partner visa and advice provided on how the requirements can be met
Ongoing advice and consultation relating to your visa application until the decision is made
We ensure that your application is fully supported with accurate and relevant documentation
Thorough assistance and guidance with each step of the process
A well prepared and submitted partner visa application that gives you the strongest chance of success
Relief from the stress of researching the application process, working out whether you meet the requirements, and figuring out what information and which documents are required
Being your point of contact in responding to any requests and managing correspondence between you and the Department of Home Affairs
Partner Visa Pre-Assessment Form
If you are interested in seeing whether you meet the requirements for a partner visa, please complete the pre-assessment form and we will contact you to discuss your options.