Partner Visa Australia
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Partner Visa Australia- Apply & Stay with Visa Empire
Visa Empire is your reliable partner in navigating the complex world of Australian partner visas. As a leading migration agent in Australia, we know that applying for a partner visa can be emotionally significant and procedurally challenging.
Whether you’re applying for a temporary partner visa (Subclass 820 or 309) or a permanent partner visa (Subclass 801 or 100), our experienced team ensures your application is accurate, complete, and aligned with the latest immigration rules.
What Is a Partner Visa?
A Partner / Spouse / De Facto visa in Australia allows those in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live, work, and study in Australia. There are multiple Partner Visa Subclasses, broadly divided into temporary and permanent streams.
Types of Australian Partner Visas
The main types of Partner Visa in Australia are as follows:-
Partner Visa (Temporary)
- Subclass 820: Onshore (you apply from within Australia)
- Subclass 309: Offshore (you apply from outside Australia)
Partner Visa (Permanent)
- Subclass 801: Permanent visa for onshore applicants (after 820)
- Subclass 100: Permanent visa for offshore applicants (after 309)
Each of these visa subclasses is part of a two-stage process. First, you apply for the temporary visa (820 or 309) and then after meeting certain requirements, you may qualify for the permanent partner visa (801 or 100).
Eligibility for Partner Visa in Australia
To qualify and apply for a Partner Visa Australia, you and your sponsor must meet several criteria which are as follows:-
- Genuine Relationship
You must be in a genuine and continuing relationship. This can be:
- Married / Spouse, or
- De facto partner, which means you live together or have a mutual commitment to a shared life.
- Sponsor
Your partner (sponsor) must be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Minimum Relationship Duration (for de facto)
Usually, you need to have lived together for at least 12 months before applying. Exceptions are possible, for instance, if your relationship is registered under an Australian state or territory law.
- Health and Character Requirements
All applicants must satisfy health and character checks.
- Evidence of Commitment
You will need to provide proof of your relationship. Those include joint finances, shared living arrangements, social evidence, photos, statements from friends and family, etc.
- Continuing Relationship
Even when applying for the permanent visa (801 / 100), you generally still need to be in the relationship, unless “relationship cessation” provisions apply.
Applying for a Partner Visa
At Visa Empire, we simplify the entire partner visa journey by guiding you through each stage with clarity and expert support. Here’s how the process works:-
- Initial Assessment of Your Circumstances
We begin by understanding your situation in detail. This includes identifying the correct Partner Visa Subclass (onshore vs. offshore, temporary vs. permanent) and assessing factors such as your relationship status, eligibility, sponsorship requirements, and financial capacity.
- Compilation of Essential Documents
Our team helps you gather all the necessary documents, ensuring they are complete and properly organized. This includes:-
- Proof of identity (passports and valid IDs)
- Comprehensive relationship evidence (joint finances, shared household documents, photos, travel history, communication logs, statutory declarations, etc.)
- Health examinations and police clearance certificates
- Sponsorship forms and supporting documentation
- Lodgement of Your Application
Once all documents are ready, we submit your partner visa application through ImmiAccount which is Australia’s official online portal.
In most cases, applicants lodge both the temporary and permanent partner visas together (e.g., 820/801 for onshore or 309/100 for offshore).
- Relationship Maintenance & Ongoing Compliance
While waiting for a decision on your temporary visa (Subclass 820 or 309), you must continue demonstrating that your relationship is genuine and ongoing. This period typically lasts around two years, during which Visa Empire helps you maintain compliance and gather updated evidence.
- Permanent Stage Assessment (Subclass 801 or 100)
After approximately two years, you become eligible to be assessed for the permanent partner visa. At this stage, we assist you in submitting updated relationship evidence and ensure that all requirements for permanency are met.
- Final Visa Decision
Once the Department of Home Affairs completes its assessment, you will receive your visa outcome. Upon approval, you are granted permanent residency, allowing you and your partner to build your future in Australia.
Visa Empire remains with you from the first consultation to the final visa grant, ensuring a smooth, stress-free process at every step.
Document Checklist for Partner Visas
When applying for a Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801 or 309/100), you’ll typically need the following documents:-
- Valid passports for you and your partner
- Birth certificates (if required)
- Relationship evidence (joint finances, shared addresses, photos, social statements)
- Health examination reports
- Police clearance certificates
- Sponsorship forms from your partner
- Statutory declarations or Form 888 (or similar) to demonstrate the nature of your relationship
Visa Empire ensures every document meets the Department of Home Affairs’ standards, reducing the risk of refusal or delay.
Costs & Fees
Applying for a Partner Visa involves several costs. Those are as follows:-
- Visa Application Charge- This includes fees for both the temporary and permanent visa (820 + 801, or 309 + 100) when applied together.
- Health Examination Fees
- Police Clearance Certificates
- Professional Fees- If you engage a migration agent (like Visa Empire), there will be service costs, but this often pays off by reducing risk and stress.
Visa Empire provides a transparent breakdown of all applicable costs and helps you plan for them.
Conditions & Obligations
When you hold a temporary partner visa (Subclass 820 or 309), you must:-
- Maintain a genuine and continuing relationship with your sponsor until the permanent visa is processed.
- Comply with health and character requirements throughout.
- Provide any further evidence requested by immigration authorities.
For the permanent partner visa (Subclass 801 or 100):-
- You typically don’t need to reapply (if applied together), but your relationship may be reassessed after ~2 years.
- If granted, you receive permanent residency, allowing you to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely.
What Is a De Facto Relationship?
A de facto relationship means two people:-
- are not married to each other;
- live together (or do not permanently live apart) in a domestic, genuine, and continuing relationship; and
- have a mutual commitment to a shared life.
In many cases, a 12-month de facto relationship is required before applying for a Partner Visa. Exceptions do exist, such as when you have registered your relationship under Australian state/territory law.
Why Choose Visa Empire for Your Partner Visa Application?
Choosing the right migration agent can make a world of difference in your Partner Visa journey. That’s exactly why countless couples trust the Visa Empire.
We offer:-
- Specialised Partner Visa Experts
Our migration agents have extensive experience in all Partner Visa Subclasses (820, 801, 309, 100). We understand the nuances, requirements, and strategies needed to strengthen your application from start to finish.
- Tailored Guidance for Every Relationship
Every partnership is unique. Whether you’re applying as a spouse, fiancé, or de facto partner, we take time to understand your story and provide advice that fits your personal circumstances, no matter how simple or complex.
- Updated Services with the Latest Laws
Immigration policies change often. At Visa Empire, we constantly stay updated with the latest regulations, ensuring your application meets current requirements and avoids unnecessary delays.
- A Smooth and Stress-Free Experience
From collecting relationship evidence to managing paperwork, deadlines, and bridging visa matters, we handle the entire process with precision. You focus on your relationship and we will manage the rest.
- Trusted and Proven Success
Visa Empire is recognised as one of Australia’s most trusted migration service providers. Our strong success rate reflects our commitment to reuniting couples and helping them build a secure future in Australia.
Get Started with Visa Empire Today
Applying for a Partner Visa in Australia is a big step both emotionally and legally. With Visa Empire’s expert migration agents by your side, you don’t have to go through it alone.
With us by your side, you can easily:-
- talk to our compassionate, registered migration agents
- assess which Partner Visa Subclass is right for you
- prepare a strong application with the right evidence
- live, work, and stay together in Australia with utmost confidence
Contact Visa Empire today to begin your partner visa journey. Let us help you build your future, together.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You may be eligible for an Australian partner visa if you are married to, in a de facto relationship with, or intending to marry an eligible Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. You must prove your relationship is genuine, continuing, and mutually committed. Additional requirements include meeting health, character, and sponsorship conditions.
Partner visa processing times generally range from 8 to 24 months, depending on the stream (onshore vs offshore), relationship evidence, and the completeness of your application. Complex cases or missing documents can extend the timeline further.
While the partner visa is accessible, it is one of Australia’s most evidence-driven and scrutinised visa categories. The difficulty usually lies in the amount of relationship proof required and the strict eligibility criteria. With proper guidance and well-prepared documentation, the process becomes much easier.
From 2025 onwards, Australia is continuing to implement mandatory sponsor pre-approval rules, meaning the sponsoring partner must be approved before the visa applicant can lodge their application. Additional compliance checks and documentation may also be required to enhance integrity within the migration program.
To reduce processing delays, make sure you:-
- Submit a complete and accurate application from the start
- Provide strong, consistent relationship evidence
- Upload all sponsor documents early
- Complete medicals and police checks promptly
- Avoid inconsistencies between forms and statements
- Seek professional assistance to eliminate errors
A permanent partner visa (Subclass 801 or 100) grants indefinite permanent residency, allowing you to live, work, and study in Australia permanently. The temporary stage (Subclass 820 or 309) is valid until a decision is made on your permanent stage, usually around the two-year mark.