Can I Apply for a Partner Visa While on a Student Visa in Australia?

Australia attracts thousands of international students each year, many of whom build meaningful relationships during their time in the country. It’s natural for many students to wonder whether they can stay longer with their Australian partner by transitioning from a student visa to a partner visa Australia pathway.

If you are asking yourself “Can I apply for a partner visa on a student visa in Australia?”, the answer to that question is “yes, you certainly can”. However, the process comes with rules, eligibility requirements, strict evidence standards, and financial considerations that need to be understood before you begin.

This detailed guide explains everything you need to know about applying for a partner visa while on a student visa, the options available, eligibility criteria, requirements, processing times, and how to choose the right pathway for your situation.

Can Student Visa Holders Apply for a Partner Visa in Australia?

Yes. A student visa holder can apply for a partner visa in Australia if they meet the relationship and eligibility criteria set by the Department of Home Affairs.

This means you can remain in Australia and lodge an onshore partner visa for student visa holders, or choose to apply offshore if that suits your circumstances better.

The key is understanding which pathway (onshore or offshore) fits your situation.

Onshore vs Offshore Applications for Students

When transitioning from a student visa, you have two main options. They are:-

1. Onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801)

The onshore pathway allows you to apply while physically present in Australia. Many international students choose this option due to convenience and continuity.

Why choose Subclass 820/801?

• You can apply for a partner visa subclass 820 on a student visa.

• You will receive a Bridging Visa A (BVA) after applying, allowing you to remain lawfully in Australia.

• BVA usually gives full work rights, which can be beneficial for students transitioning to full-time work.

• Access to Medicare after the 820 is lodged.

It tends to be the best for students who:

• already live with their partner in Australia.

• are in a long-term and established relationship.

• want to avoid leaving the country during the process.

Students often compare their options as part of an onshore vs offshore partner visa in Australia decision-making process.

2. Offshore Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100)

The offshore visa pathway is designed for applicants who apply from outside Australia.

Although less common for student visa holders, some choose this route due to financial, travel, or personal reasons.

Why choose Subclass 309/100?

• Strong option for couples who cannot meet all the onshore requirements.

• Potentially advantageous if the applicant wants to return home temporarily.

It tends to be the best for students who:

• are finishing their studies and planning a short break in their home country.

• prefer starting the partner visa process offshore.

• want to use time abroad to gather additional evidence.

Students researching the difference between onshore and offshore partner visas should remember that both pathways lead to permanent residency; only the process differs.

Partner Visa Eligibility on a Student Visa

To begin the partner visa eligibility on the student visa pathway, you must meet the general requirements that apply to all partner visas in Australia.

Eligibility Requirements

• You must be married or in a genuine de facto relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.

• For de facto partners, you generally need to show at least 12 months of living together; unless you register your relationship (available in some states and territories).

• Both partners must be committed to a genuine and exclusive relationship.

• Sponsor must meet Australian character requirements.

• You must comply with all the partner visa rules for a student visa in Australia, including visa conditions.

The aforementioned criteria form the basis of partner visa Australia requirements for students.

Relationship Evidence Required

Relationship evidence plays the biggest role in the success of your application. Students often underestimate how detailed and thorough the evidence needs to be.

Types of Evidence

Here are the types of evidence that you need to have:-

1. Financial Evidence

• Joint bank accounts

• Shared bills

• Joint purchases

• Financial support

2. Household Evidence

• Lease agreements

• Shared responsibilities

• Household bills

3. Social Evidence

• Photos together

• Travel history

• Social recognition as a couple

4. Commitment Evidence

• Long-distance communication (if applicable)

• Relationship statements

• Future plans as a couple

A strong relationship proof significantly improves the outcome of partner visa processing for student visa holders.

What Happens After Lodging the Partner Visa on a Student Visa?

After submitting the onshore partner visa, your current student visa remains valid until it expires. Once it does, your Bridging Visa A (BVA) comes into effect.

Bridging Visa A Benefits

Bridging Visa A offers you the following benefits:-

• Stay in Australia lawfully

• Work rights (in most cases)

• Study rights

• Medicare access

However, BVA does not allow overseas travel. You must apply for a Bridging Visa B to leave and re-enter Australia.

This is an important detail for anyone applying inside Australia under the category of applying for a partner visa inside Australia.

Processing Times for Student Visa Holders

Processing times for student visa holders tend to vary depending on:-

• Quality of evidence

• Country of passport

• Case complexity

• Duration of the relationship

• Number of previous visas

Home Affairs updates these timeframes regularly, and any student researching partner visa processing for student visa holders should refer to the official site for the latest updates.

Costs Involved

Partner visas are known for their high cost.

While the exact amount may change, the government application fee is one of the most significant expenses for applicants transitioning via the student visa to partner visa in Australia route.

You must also factor in:-

• Medical exams

• Police checks

• Document translations

• Additional documentation fees

In many cases, couples save money by lodging the application early to lock in current fee amounts.

Student to Partner Visa Pathway Australia- Pros and Cons

Now let’s throw some light on the pros and cons of the student to partner visa pathway in Australia:-

Pros

• Ability to stay with your partner in Australia

• Work rights after lodging

• Access to Medicare

• Pathway to permanent residency

Cons

• High visa cost

• Strict evidence requirements

• Potential bridging visa travel limitations

• Emotional stress from long processing times

This balanced perspective helps applicants understand about the student to partner visa pathway in Australia more realistically.

Common Mistakes Students Should Avoid

Many applicants make preventable errors when applying for a partner visa while on a student visa.

You must avoid the following at all costs:-

• Submitting weak or inconsistent evidence

• Applying right before visa expiry without preparation

• Not understanding the student visa work/study conditions

• Providing unclear relationship timelines

Being well-prepared and fully informed can save you months of delays.

To avoid common mistakes, don’t forget to read our article on the top reasons visitor visa applications get refused and how to fix them.

When Should a Student Apply for the Partner Visa?

For a student, applying for the partner visa is best when:-

• Your relationship is stable and well-evidenced

• You have at least 6–12 months of strong evidence

• You can afford the visa fee

• You meet all the required conditions

If your student visa is close to expiry, you may want to plan strategically.

If your current visa is nearing its expiry, you might also find our guide on how to extend your Australian visa before it expires helpful.

Choose the Right Path with Professional Guidance

Applying for a partner visa while on a student visa in Australia is absolutely possible, but it can be a complex and stressful journey without proper guidance. Every couple’s situation is unique, and choosing the right pathway (onshore or offshore) requires a clear understanding of eligibility, evidence, costs, and processing expectations.

If you want to maximise your chances of success and avoid costly mistakes, expert assistance can make a world of difference.

At Visa Empire, we specialise in partner visa pathways and are known as the most trusted and reliable visitor visa agent in Perth.

Visa Empire’s expert migration agents help students and couples prepare strong, accurate, and compelling applications so they can move forward confidently in their journey together.

Contact us today!!!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I apply for a partner visa while on a student visa?

Yes. If you are in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, you can apply for an onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801) while holding a student visa. You must meet all eligibility and evidence requirements.

2. Who is eligible for a partner visa in Australia?

You are eligible if you are married or in a genuine de facto relationship with an eligible sponsor who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. You must provide evidence showing the financial, social, household, and commitment aspects of your relationship.

3. Can I get married in Australia on a student visa?

Yes. International students are allowed to get married in Australia while on a student visa, provided they follow Australian marriage laws. Marriage alone, however, does not guarantee visa approval. You must still meet all partner visa criteria as well.

4. What evidence is needed for a partner visa in Australia?

You need to provide a combination of the following:-

• Financial evidence (shared expenses, joint accounts)

• Social evidence (photos, travel, social recognition)

• Household evidence (joint leases, shared bills)

• Commitment evidence (statements, future plans, communication history)

The more consistent and comprehensive your evidence is, the stronger your application will be.

5. Can I change my student visa to a spouse visa in Australia?

Yes. Many applicants transition from a student visa to a partner visa by lodging the onshore Subclass 820 application. Once lodged, you remain lawful on your student visa until expiry and then move onto a Bridging Visa A while the partner visa is processed.

6. Can a student visa bring a partner?

Yes. A student visa holder can add a genuine partner as a dependent, provided the relationship meets de facto or marriage requirements and sufficient evidence is provided. However, this is separate from the partner visa pathway, which leads to permanent residency.

7. Can you get a partner visa without being married in Australia?

Yes. Marriage is not mandatory. You can apply as a de facto couple if you can demonstrate a genuine and committed relationship, typically with at least 12 months of evidence unless you have registered your relationship in a state or territory where registration is available.