Partner Visas

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Several types of partner visas are available for individuals who are engaged, married or in a de facto relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.


The Partner visa types

  1. Prospective Marriage visa (Subclass 300)

This visa is for people who want to come to Australia to marry their prospective spouse. It is valid for nine months during which time the couple must marry. After the wedding, the individual can apply for a Partner (Temporary) visa (Subclass 820).

  1. Partner (Provisional) visa (Subclass 309)

This visa allows the partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia while their permanent Partner (Migrant) visa (Subclass 100) is processed. This visa is an offshore visa, and the visa applicant must be outside of Australia when it is applied for.

  1. Partner (Temporary) visa (Subclass 820)

This visa is for the partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. It allows the visa holder to live in Australia while the permanent Partner (Migrant) visa (Subclass 801) is processed. This visa is an onshore visa, and the visa applicant must be in Australia when it is applied for.

  1. Partner (Migrant) visa (Subclass 100)

This is a permanent visa for the partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. It allows the visa holder to live and work in Australia permanently. This visa is the permanent visa which follows the Subclass 309 Visa.

  1. Partner (Permanent) visa (Subclass 801)

This is a permanent visa for the partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. It allows the visa holder to live and work in Australia permanently. This visa is the permanent visa which follow the subclass 820 Visa.

Partner Visa criteria


Several criteria must be met to qualify for an Australian partner visa. These criteria can vary depending on the partner visa you are applying for.

  1. Relationship criteria: You must be in a genuine and ongoing relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. The relationship must be a married or de facto relationship. You will be required to provide evidence of the relationship, such as photographs, joint bank statements, and letters from friends and family.

  2. Eligibility criteria: You must meet the eligibility criteria for the specific visa you are applying for. For example, for a Partner (Provisional) visa (Subclass 309), you must be outside Australia at the time of application, whereas for a Partner (Temporary) visa (Subclass 820), you must be inside Australia at the time of application.

  3. Health criteria: You must meet the health requirements for the visa. This will typically involve undergoing a medical examination and providing the results to the Department of Home Affairs.

  4. Character criteria: You must meet the character requirements for the visa. This will typically involve providing a police clearance certificate from any country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.

  5. Financial requirement: You and your sponsor must show you have enough funds to support yourselves and any dependent family members during your stay in Australia.

  6. Evidence of your relationship: This can include photographs, joint bank statements, letters from friends and family, proof of your time spent together, your wedding certificate, and any other evidence that demonstrates the genuineness and nature of your relationship.

  7. English language proficiency: You may be required to demonstrate a level of English proficiency, whether through an English language test or other means; it depends on your situation and the partner visa you are applying for.

It's important to note that these are just some general criteria you'll need to meet to be eligible for an Australian partner visa. The specific requirements and application process can vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for.


Sponsorship criteria


To sponsor someone for a partner visa, the sponsor must meet specific criteria set by the Australian government.

  1. Residency requirement: The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen living in Australia when the visa application is made.

  2. Relationship requirement: The sponsor must have a genuine and ongoing relationship with the visa applicant. The relationship must be a married or de facto relationship, and the sponsor must provide evidence of the relationship, such as photographs, joint bank statements, and letters from friends and family.

  3. Financial requirement: The sponsor will be required to show that they have enough funds to support the person applying for the visa, as well as any dependent family members, during their stay in Australia.

  4. Age requirement: The sponsor must be over 18 years of age.

  5. Character requirement: The sponsor must meet the character requirements for sponsorship. This may include providing a police clearance certificate from any country they have lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.

  6. Sponsorship undertaking: The sponsor must be willing to provide sponsorship undertakings to the Department of Home Affairs. This means they are committed to providing financial and emotional support to the person applying for the visa and will help them to settle into their new life in Australia.

  7. Relationship History: sponsor's history of the relationship, any previous sponsorship, and, if applicable, any cancellation of sponsorship will be considered in the process.

Permanent Partner Visa Stage


To be granted a permanent Partner visa (subclass 100 or 801) in Australia, you must meet the criteria for the temporary partner visa (subclass 309 or 820) and additional criteria once the temporary visa is granted.

  1. Relationship criteria: You must still be in a genuine and ongoing relationship with your partner, an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.

  2. Eligibility criteria: You must have been in a relationship with your partner for the entire period since your temporary partner visa was granted. And also, you must still be in Australia when you apply for a permanent partner visa.

  3. Health criteria: You must still meet the health requirements for the visa.

  4. Character criteria: You must still meet the character requirements for the visa.

  5. Financial requirement: You and your sponsor must show you have enough funds to support yourselves and any dependent family members during your stay in Australia.

  6. Evidence of your continuing relationship: you will need to provide more evidence of your continuing relationship. This could include photographs, joint bank statements, letters from friends and family, proof of your time spent together, your wedding certificate and any other evidence that demonstrates the genuineness and nature of your relationship.

  7. English language proficiency: you may be required to demonstrate a level of English proficiency, whether through an English language test or other means; it depends on your situation and the partner visa you are applying for.

NB If the relationship has broken down before the permanent visa is processed, you still may be eligible for permanent residence if, for instance, your Australian sponsor has died or there is a child in the relationship or if you are the victim of family violence.