Partner visa guide
The first decision is not which form to complete. It is whether the application should start onshore, offshore, or through the prospective marriage pathway—and how the evidence will support a genuine and continuing relationship.
Choose the starting subclass
The applicant must be in Australia when the combined application is lodged. Subclass 820 is the temporary stage and subclass 801 is the permanent stage.
The applicant must be outside Australia when the combined application is lodged. Subclass 309 is provisional and subclass 100 is permanent.
The applicant applies outside Australia, enters on subclass 300, marries the prospective spouse during the visa period, then makes a separate onshore Partner visa application.
A location rule is assessed at the relevant application or decision point. Do not assume that entering or leaving Australia changes the lodged subclass automatically.
Core requirements
A marriage certificate or registered relationship may establish legal status, but it does not replace evidence that the relationship is genuine and continuing.
Relationship evidence
Dates, statements and documents should tell the same story. Gaps or periods apart should be explained rather than hidden.
Joint accounts, shared expenses, assets, liabilities, insurance, beneficiaries and how the couple manages money.
Living arrangements, address history, domestic responsibilities, children, mail and practical day-to-day life.
How family, friends and organisations recognise the relationship, including events, travel and Form 888 witnesses.
Relationship history, knowledge of each other, communication while apart, emotional support and credible future plans.
Application process
Confirm the applicant's location, current visa, relationship stage, intended travel and whether any onshore application restriction applies.
Prepare a consistent chronology and map evidence across finances, household, social recognition and commitment.
Submit the visa application through ImmiAccount, pay the charge, then provide the TRN so the sponsor can lodge the sponsorship.
Provide identity, police, health and relationship documents, and respond to any request within the stated deadline.
Keep contact, passport, address, family composition and relationship information current; check visa conditions before travel.
Once eligible, provide updated relationship and character evidence for the 801 or 100 assessment.
Government charges
Amounts below are the published starting charges for the main applicant, checked 8 August 2026. Additional applicant, health, police, translation and biometric costs may apply.
One combined application charge for the temporary and permanent stages for most applicants.
The subclass 100 charge is paid as part of the combined offshore application.
A separate Partner visa application follows after marriage.
Generally the reduced main-applicant charge for a current subclass 300 holder.
Important planning points
A Bridging visa A does not provide re-entry rights. Only a valid Bridging visa B permits departure and return during its approved travel period.
An onshore applicant without a substantive visa can face additional validity and grant criteria. This should be assessed before lodgement, not after.
Separation, the sponsor's death or family violence does not always end eligibility automatically. Tell the Department safely and obtain advice promptly.
The permanent stage may sometimes be granted earlier where the relationship met the long-term criteria when the combined application was lodged.
Official references
Government charges, document requirements and processing times can change. The current processing-time guide should be checked close to lodgement.
Start with your real circumstances
Tell us your current location, visa status, relationship history and travel plan. We can identify the issues to check before you commit to a route.
This page provides general information only. It is not personal migration or legal advice, and it does not guarantee any visa outcome.
