Partner Visas
Partner, prospective marriage and other family visas to help you build your life in Australia together. We guide you through the relationship evidence, the two-stage process and the sponsorship rules - carefully and with discretion.
A partner visa lets the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen live in Australia. It is based on your relationship being genuine and continuing - not on points or occupation.
Most partner applications are a two-stage process: you're first granted a temporary visa, and your permanent visa is usually assessed around two years after you apply (sometimes sooner for long-established relationships). Getting the relationship evidence right from the start makes a real difference, and that's where we help most.
Key facts
- Where you apply
- Onshore (820/801) or offshore (309/100)
- Structure
- Two stages: temporary then permanent
- Engaged couples
- Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300)
- Your sponsor
- Australian citizen, PR or eligible NZ citizen
- Relationship
- Married, or de facto (generally 12+ months)
- Sponsorship limit
- Usually max 2 in a lifetime, 5 years apart
Your visa options
There is usually more than one way forward. Here are the main pathways within partner visas.
Is this pathway right for you?
This may suit you if:
- You are the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
- You are engaged to an eligible Australian and plan to marry (subclass 300)
- Your relationship is genuine and continuing, and you can show it is real
- For de facto couples: you have generally lived together for at least 12 months, or your relationship is registered
- You want to live in Australia with your partner, with a pathway to permanent residence
- Same-sex married and de facto couples - partner visas are equally available to you
Why it's worth it
Pathway to permanent residency
The temporary visa leads to permanent residence once your relationship and other requirements are confirmed.
Work and study rights
Partner visa holders can work and study in Australia while their application is being processed and after grant.
Stay together while you wait
If you apply onshore, a bridging visa usually lets you remain in Australia lawfully during processing.
Access to Medicare
Partner visa applicants are generally able to enrol in Australia's public health system, Medicare.
Include your children
Dependent children can usually be included in your partner visa application.
Toward citizenship
Once you're a permanent resident and meet the requirements, Australian citizenship can follow.
This may not be the right fit if…
- There are unresolved character or health concerns that may affect eligibility
- Your relationship doesn't yet meet the evidentiary requirements for a genuine, ongoing relationship
- A previous visa refusal or cancellation may trigger additional bars (such as Schedule 3 criteria) that need careful assessment first
These are general pointers, not a determination about your case - book a consultation for advice specific to your situation.
General requirements
Every case is different, but you'll generally need to:
- Be married to, or in a de facto relationship with, an eligible Australian sponsor
- Show your relationship is genuine and continuing - assessed on its financial aspects, the nature of your household, its social aspects, and the nature of your commitment to each other
- For de facto partners, have generally been together for at least 12 months before applying, unless your relationship is registered or an exception applies
- Have a sponsor who meets the sponsorship requirements and sponsorship limits (usually no more than two partners in a lifetime, at least five years apart)
- Meet health and character requirements (both applicant and sponsor provide police clearances)
- Provide strong, well-organised evidence of your relationship
Our step-by-step process
We keep things clear and calm, so you always know what's happening and what comes next.
Relationship & eligibility review
We talk through your relationship, your sponsor's situation and the sponsorship limits, and confirm the right subclass - onshore, offshore or prospective marriage.
Build your evidence
We help you gather evidence across the four areas the law looks at: finances, household, social life and commitment - so your relationship is clearly demonstrated.
Prepare the sponsorship
Your sponsor's application is prepared alongside yours, including their police checks and undertakings.
Lodge your application
We prepare and lodge a complete application. If you apply onshore, a bridging visa generally keeps you lawful while you wait.
Respond & stay updated
We manage any requests from the Department and keep you informed, so there are no surprises.
Permanent stage
Around two years after applying (sometimes sooner), your permanent Partner visa is assessed - we help you provide updated evidence.
Documents you'll typically need
A general guide - we'll give you a tailored checklist for your situation.
- Passports and identity documents for you and your sponsor
- Marriage certificate, or evidence of a genuine de facto relationship
- Evidence of shared finances (joint accounts, shared bills or commitments)
- Evidence of your household (shared lease or mortgage, mail to the same address)
- Social evidence (photos, statements from friends and family, joint invitations)
- Written statements about the history of your relationship
- Relationship registration certificate, if your relationship is registered
- Police clearances and health examinations
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to what people ask us most.
Do we have to be married to apply?
Can I work while my partner visa is being processed?
How many times can my partner sponsor someone?
What's the difference between the 820/801 and 309/100 visas?
What is the Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa?
How long does a partner visa take?
This page is general information only, not migration or legal advice. Partner and family visa rules - including the relationship criteria and sponsorship limits - are set by the Migration Act 1958 and Migration Regulations 1994, and fees and processing times change regularly. Book a consultation for advice specific to your relationship; we help you understand your options and never guarantee a visa outcome.
Not sure which visa is right for you?
Answer a few plain-English questions and get a friendly, no-obligation summary of the pathways that may suit you. It only takes about two minutes.