Living far from your partner? You are not the only one facing this.

Each year, thousands of couples use the offshore partner visa to close that gap. Australia has a clear, well-worn path set up for you.

That path is the Partner Visa 309 and 100.

Table of Contents

Visa 309 brings you to Australia as a short-term resident. Subclass 309 then turns that into full permanent residency (PR). Both visas sit in one form. One fee. One lodgement.

This Arch Migration guide covers each stage in plain terms. Who can apply, what to gather, how to lodge, what it costs — all here.

How the Partner Visa 309 and 100 Works: A Two-Stage Path

Think of the 309 and 100 as two legs of one trip.

Leg one: Visa 309. This is a short-term visa. It gets you into Australia while your case is being wrapped up.

Leg two: Subclass 309. This is the PR visa. It locks in your right to stay for good.

Both visas are bundled in one form. You lodge once and pay once. No second form is ever needed.

Subclass 309 vs Subclass 100 — At a Glance

  •       Subclass 309 — short-term entry. You can live, work, and study in Australia from day one.
  •       Subclass 100 — PR visa. Assessed around two years from your lodgement date.
  •       One form, one fee. The subclass 100 review is built in. No extra lodging needed.

 

Do You Qualify? Rules for the Partner Visa 309

Both the applicant and the Australian sponsor must pass a set of checks before the form goes in.

Rules for the Applicant

  •       You must be on foreign soil when the form is lodged.
  •       You must be in a real, ongoing marriage or de facto union.
  •       De facto couples: your union must be at least 12 months old at lodgement.
  •       The age limit is 18. Some married applicants under 18 may qualify under specific rules.
  •       A health check with a panel doctor approved by the Department is a must.
  •       Police checks are needed for each country where you lived 12-plus months in the past decade.
  •       No unpaid debts to the Australian Government.

Rules for the Sponsor

Your Australian partner becomes your formal sponsor. They lodge their own form at the same time as you.

  •       Must hold Australian citizenship, PR, or eligible New Zealand citizenship.
  •       Must be 18 or older. Exceptions may apply for married sponsors.
  •       Must pass the Department’s character check.
  •       Must not have already sponsored two or more partners.
  •       Must not have been sponsored for a partner visa within the past five years.

Proving Your Bond Is the Real Thing

This is the core of every partner visa case. The Department tests your couple status across four pillars. A weak showing on any one pillar raises doubt.

  •       Money ties — joint accounts, shared loans, combined bills, co-owned property.
  •       Home life — same address on bills, joint lease, photos in a shared home.
  •       How others see you — how your family, friends, and wider circle view your bond.
  •       Plans together — shared travel goals, knowledge of each other’s lives, your shared future.

Your 8-Step Roadmap: How to Apply for the Partner Visa 309

The offshore partner visa has a clear order of steps. Follow each one and you will cover every base.

Step 1 — Check Your Status First

Work through all the rules above before you do anything else.

Do you and your sponsor both pass the checks? Has your de facto union crossed the 12-month mark? Are you genuinely overseas?

Not sure on any point? A quick chat with Arch Migration now can save months of trouble later.

Step 2 — Create Your ImmiAccount

All visa 309 forms go through ImmiAccount. This is the Department’s secure online portal. Two separate accounts are needed — one for you, one for your sponsor.

  •       Sign up at the Department of Home Affairs website.
  •       Your sponsor sets up their own account at the same time.
  •       Both accounts must be live before you can lodge.

Step 3 — Build Your Evidence Pack

Strong proof wins cases. Think of your pack as the full story of your couple status. The clearer the story, the stronger your case.

Proof of Who You Are

  •       Passport — every page, including blank ones at the back
  •       Birth record — certified copy
  •       Name-change papers if your name has changed
  •       Sponsor’s proof of citizenship or PR — cert, passport, or grant letter

Proof of Your Bond

  •       Marriage cert — if married. Must be in English or have a certified English translation.
  •       Registered de facto cert — if your state or territory has one
  •       Joint bank account records — the longer the run, the stronger the case
  •       Shared lease or home-loan papers
  •       Bills and utility accounts at a shared address
  •       A photo set from different times and events — not all from one day
  •       Call logs, message threads, and email chains showing steady contact
  •       Travel records and shared booking papers from trips you took together
  •       Form 888 — signed by people who know your bond well. Aim for four to six.

Health and Police Check Papers

  •       Medical result from an approved panel doctor
  •       Police clearances — one per country where you lived 12-plus months in the past 10 years

Step 4 — Lodge Your Visa Form

Papers ready? Accounts set up? Time to lodge.

  •       Open the Partner (Provisional) Visa subclass 309 form in your ImmiAccount.
  •       Attach all proof and support papers in the portal.
  •       Confirm your sponsor lodges their form at the same time.
  •       Pay the visa fee before you submit.
  •       Verify your location — you must be outside Australia when you hit send.

Step 5 — Complete Health and Biometric Checks

After lodging, the Department will send you a set of tasks to complete.

  •       Book your health check with an approved panel doctor in your home country.
  •       Get your biometrics taken at a nearby Australian Visa Centre, if required for your nationality.
  •       Collect police clearances for each country that qualifies.

Step 6 — Track Your Case and Reply Fast

Your case now sits with the Department. Forms are worked through in the order they are received.

Check your ImmiAccount inbox often. The Department may send a request for more proof.

Reply within the set window. Miss it and the case can be closed without your full response.

Step 7 — Visa 309 Granted — Head to Australia

Your provisional visa has been approved. Pack your bags. From the day you land, you have a full set of rights:

  •       The right to live anywhere across Australia
  •       Open work rights — any employer, any role, any hours
  •       Full study rights at any school or college
  •       Free travel in and out of Australia for the visa term
  •       Medicare access — Australia’s public health network
  •       Access to the Adult Migrant English Program where you qualify

Step 8 — Subclass 100 Review Grants Your PR

Around two years after you lodged, the Department reviews your file for the subclass 100.

Three things must still be true at that point:

  •       Your bond is real and ongoing.
  •       Both you and your sponsor still pass health and character checks.
  •       Neither party has lost their status.

If all three hold up, your PR is confirmed. Welcome to Australia — for good.

 

What Does the Partner Visa 309 Cost?

One payment covers both the 309 and 100 reviews. It is charged at lodgement and is not refunded.

Fees are set by the Department and usually go up each July.

Government Charges (from July 2025)

  •       Main applicant (309 and 100 together) — AUD $9,365
  •       Each extra adult added to the form (18 or over) — AUD $4,685
  •       Each child added to the form (under 18) — AUD $2,345

Also Set Aside Budget For

  •       Panel doctor fees for your health check
  •       Police check costs — amounts vary by country
  •       NAATI translation fees for non-English papers
  •       Biometric fees at the Visa Centre if required
  •       Agent fees if you work with a migration adviser

 

Five Common Mistakes That Sink a Partner Visa 309 Case

Most partner visa 309 setbacks trace back to the same handful of errors. Here is what to watch for.

1. Thin or One-Sided Evidence

Photos alone will not be enough. Cover all four pillars well.

Gaps invite scrutiny. Show your money ties, your home life, how others see your bond, and your shared plans.

2. Lodging From Inside Australia

This catches people every year. Lodging from inside Australia makes your form invalid.

If you are in Australia now, the onshore 820/801 path is the right one for you.

3. Missing or Untranslated Papers

Non-English papers without NAATI-certified translations stall cases.

Some cases have waited months over a single missing translation. Avoid the delay.

4. A Sponsor Who Does Not Pass the Checks

Sponsors have strict rules. Have they sponsored a partner before? Were they ever sponsored themselves?

Check sponsor status before going any further.

5. Late Replies to Department Requests

The Department may ask for more papers mid-case. The clock starts the moment that request arrives.

A late or missing reply can result in a decision made on incomplete proof.

 

Why Arch Migration Clients Get Better Results

The partner visa 309 is clear when you know it. But the margin for error is slim.

One missing paper, one unclear statement, or one missed check can push a case back by months.

Arch Migration was built to prevent that. Our registered agents know this visa inside out.

We have helped couples from all over the world through this process. That track record goes into every case we take on.

What You Get With Arch Migration

  •       A full status check for both you and your sponsor — before a form is touched
  •       A custom document list built around your own case
  •       Help writing a strong couple statement that covers all four pillars
  •       Guidance getting the right Form 888 signed by solid witnesses
  •       A full review and quality check before you lodge
  •       Direct contact with the Department on your behalf
  •       Ongoing support at the subclass 100 review stage
  •       Clear updates at every turn — no jargon, no confusion

 

Read More: Partner Visa Series by Arch Migration

This article is part of a wider series covering every side of the Australian partner visa. Explore the other guides below.

The Ultimate Guide to Partner Visa Australia: Requirements, Process, Costs & Expert Tips

Partner Visa Subclass 820 & 801: Complete Onshore Application Process Explained

Partner Visa Processing Time Australia: Latest Timelines for 820, 801, 309 & 100 Visas

Proving a Genuine Relationship for an Australian Partner Visa: Evidence, Tips & Common Mistakes

 

Frequently Asked Questions: Partner Visa 309

Q: Can I lodge a visa 309 form while I am on a visitor visa inside Australia?

A: No — this rule is firm. Lodging from inside Australia makes your form invalid from the start. Your location must be overseas both when you submit and when the visa is decided. If you are in Australia right now, talk to Arch Migration about the onshore 820/801 path instead.

Q: How long does the partner visa 309 take to process?

A: Wait times shift with case volumes and how complete your file is. Most 309 cases are decided within 12 to 24 months. The subclass 100 PR review then follows around two years from your lodgement date. A complete, well-built file is the best way to cut down hold-ups.

Q: Once I arrive in Australia on the 309, can I start work straight away?

A: Yes, from day one. The subclass 309 gives you open work rights with no limits. No employer sponsor is needed. No cap on hours or roles. Study rights and Medicare access also start from the day you land.

Q: My partner and I split up after my 309 was granted. Can I still get the subclass 100?

A: Possibly. You may still get your PR if family harm was carried out by your sponsor or their family, if you share a child under 18, or if your sponsor has since passed away. These protections are written into the law. Contact Arch Migration as soon as possible — timing counts.

Q: My partner and I are in a same-sex de facto union. Can we apply for subclass 309?

A: Absolutely. Australian law puts same-sex couples on the same footing as all other couples. The same rules, the same proof standards, the same process. De facto couples — of any gender — must show a union of at least 12 months, unless it is formally registered or special cases apply.

 

Take the First Step Towards Your Life in Australia

Distance does not have to define your life. Arch Migration has helped hundreds of couples through this process. We are ready to do the same for you. Reach out today and let us map your path to PR.

📩 Speak to an Arch Migration Agent Today — https://archmigration.com.au/contact-us/