Partner Visas

Partner visas provide a pathway for the spouse, de facto partner, or prospective spouse of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia.

Australia offers several partner visa pathways depending on whether the applicant is applying from inside or outside Australia, and whether the relationship is already established or based on an intended marriage.

Available partner visa options include:

Partner Visa (Onshore) – Subclass 820 / 801

This visa pathway is for applicants who are already in Australia and are married to, or in a genuine de facto relationship with, an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.

The Subclass 820 is the temporary stage of the application, followed by the permanent Subclass 801 visa, subject to meeting ongoing relationship requirements.

Key features include:

Lodged while the applicant is in Australia.
Applicants are generally granted a bridging visa, allowing lawful stay while the application is processed.
Provides a pathway from temporary to permanent residence.
Applicants must demonstrate a genuine and continuing relationship.
Allows work and study rights while the temporary visa remains valid.

Partner Visa (Offshore) – Subclass 309 / 100

This visa pathway is for applicants who are outside Australia and are married to, or in a genuine de facto relationship with, an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.

The Subclass 309 is the temporary visa stage, followed by the permanent Subclass 100 visa.

Key features include:

Lodged while the applicant is generally outside Australia.
Provides a pathway from temporary to permanent residence.
Applicants must demonstrate a genuine and ongoing relationship.
Allows the applicant to travel to and remain in Australia after grant of the temporary visa.

Prospective Marriage Visa – Subclass 300

The Prospective Marriage Visa is for applicants who are outside Australia and intend to marry their Australian sponsor.

This visa allows the applicant to travel to Australia to marry their fiancé(e) and then apply for an onshore partner visa.

Key features include:

Applicants must be outside Australia at the time of application and visa grant.
The marriage must generally occur within 9 months of visa grant.
Applicants must have a genuine intention to marry their Australian sponsor.
Provides a pathway to the Subclass 820 / 801 partner visa pathway after marriage.

General eligibility requirements for partner visas may include:

Sponsorship by an eligible Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Evidence of a genuine and continuing relationship.
Satisfaction of all applicable health and character requirements.
Provision of substantial supporting evidence to demonstrate relationship eligibility.

New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa (SC 461)

The New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa (Subclass 461) is a temporary visa that allows eligible family members of New Zealand citizens to live, work, and study in Australia.

This visa is designed for non-New Zealand citizen family members who wish to accompany or join their eligible New Zealand citizen family member in Australia.

Key features of this visa include:

This is a temporary visa, generally granted for a period of five years.
It allows successful applicants to live, work, and study in Australia for the duration of the visa.
The visa may be renewed, subject to continued eligibility requirements.
Applicants must not be New Zealand citizens.
Applicants must be an eligible family member of a New Zealand citizen, including a spouse or de facto partner.
The New Zealand citizen family member must hold a Special Category Visa (Subclass 444) in Australia, or be eligible to be granted one upon arrival in Australia.
Where the New Zealand citizen is not yet in Australia, the applicant must generally travel with them to Australia.
Applicants must satisfy all applicable health and character requirements.