Partner Visa
​(Subclass 309-100/820-801 )

If your partner is an Australian citizen or holds a valid permanent resident visa, you may be eligible to apply for a partner visa (with your immediate family member).
The partner visa consists of 2 stages:

1. Partner (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 309/820; and
2. Partner (Migrant) Visa – Subclass 100/801.

Stage 1 – Partner (Provisional) Visa

​To obtain a Partner (Provisional) Visa, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

• Married or in a de facto relationship with your partner;
• The marriage or relationship is genuine and continuing;
• Meet the character requirement;
• Meet the health requirement;
• The partner has never:
  • sponsored 2 other people on a partner visa; or
  • sponsored another person on a partner visa in the last 5 years.
• The partner may still be eligible to be a sponsor if there are compelling circumstances, including (but not limited to):
  • the previous partner passed away;
  • the relationship is more than 2 years;
  • the partner and the applicant have dependent children.

​If the applicant meets the above criteria, he/she may be eligible to obtain a temporary visa, which allows the applicant to live and work in Australia.

Stage 2 – Partner (Migrant) Visa

After 24 months of lodging the temporary visa, the applicant may apply for a Partner (Migrant) Visa.

To obtain a Partner (Migrant) Visa, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

• The relationship between the partner and the application are still genuine and continuing;
• The de facto relationship is registered under the current state;
• The applicant and the partner meet the health and character requirements;
• Proof that the relationship is genuine and continuing (such as: statement about the relationship; documents evidencing:
  • the shared financial responsibilities;
  • the shared household responsibilities;
  • the relationship is publicly known by others; and
  • the commitment to each other about the long-term relationship.

Processing time
​
According to the Department of Home Affairs (Immigration Department), the processing time for 309 visas is around 13 – 17 months and 100 visas is around 17 -25 months (approximate as at 1 July 2018).
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In certain circumstances, a Partner (Migrant) Visa may be granted together with the Partner (Provisional) Visa.