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Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) VisaSubclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) VisaSubclass 407 Training VisaSubclass 482 Skills In Demand (SID) VisaSubclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (SESR)
Partner Visa
Subclass 309/100 Offshore Partner VisaSubclass 820/801 Onshore Partner VisaPartner Visa Relationship BreakdownAdding Your Partner to a Student Visa (Subclass 500)Adding Your Partner to a Subclass 482 / 457 TSS VisaSubclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa
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Partner & Family Visas

Visa category guide

Partner & Family Visas

Partner visa pathways to permanent residence. No Visa No Fee guarantee.

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How to choose

Partner & Family Visas: How to Choose

Australia offers three main pathways to permanent residence through a genuine partner or prospective-marriage relationship. The right visa turns almost entirely on where you are when you apply and the current status of your relationship — not on points or employer sponsorship.

Start with location and relationship stage. If you are already in Australia in a married or de facto relationship with an eligible Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, the Subclass 820/801 Onshore Partner Visa is your default. If you are outside Australia when you apply, the Subclass 309/100 Offshore Partner Visa is the equivalent pathway. Both are two-stage grants — a temporary visa first, permanent residence second — and both require a sponsor. If you are engaged but not yet married and your partner is overseas, the Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa is a short-stay bridging pathway that lets you enter Australia to marry before converting to a partner stream.

Onshore vs offshore is not always a free choice. Choosing to apply onshore (820) means you can usually remain in Australia on a bridging visa while the case is decided, which suits applicants already living and working here. Applying offshore (309) means you stay outside Australia until at least the temporary visa is granted. Some applicants are ineligible for the onshore stream entirely — for example, if they last entered on certain visa types. Getting this wrong wastes the application fee, so confirm eligibility carefully before lodging.

If your situation is more complex, specialist guidance matters more than the visa label. Common complications include relationship breakdown before PR is granted (see Partner Visa Relationship Breakdown), adding a partner to an existing visa such as a Student Visa (Subclass 500) or a Subclass 482 / 457 TSS Visa, and sponsors who have previously sponsored a partner. For a full comparison of all three pathways in one place, the Australia Partner Visa Complete Guide is the best starting point before booking a consultation.

Visa Lodge locationTwo-stageProcessingGovt fee
820/801 Onshore Partner Onshore (in Australia)Yes (820 temp → 801 perm)820: ~17 mo median; 90% by 26 mo*~AUD 9,365*
309/100 Offshore Partner Offshore (outside Australia)Yes (309 temp → 100 perm)Check latest official*~AUD 9,365*
300 Prospective Marriage Offshore (engaged; marry, then 820/801)Leads into 820/801Check latest*Check latest*

Fees & processing as of 2026 (Home Affairs partner visa pricing + published processing times); figures change — check official Home Affairs pages. De facto couples need 12 months cohabitation (or a registered relationship); sponsors limited to 2 lifetime with a 5-year gap.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the 820/801, 309/100 and 300 partner visas, and which applies to me?
The 820/801 is for applicants already in Australia in a married or de facto relationship. The 309/100 covers the same relationship types but is lodged and initially granted offshore. The 300 is for engaged couples who are not yet married and need a visa to enter Australia to wed. Your location at lodgement and whether you are already married, de facto, or only engaged determines which applies.
Should I apply onshore (820) or offshore (309)?
The decision is largely made for you by where you are living when you are ready to lodge. If you are lawfully in Australia in an eligible relationship, onshore is usually preferable because a bridging visa keeps you here during processing. If you are outside Australia — or ineligible for the onshore stream based on your last visa — you must apply offshore. Attempting the wrong stream can result in an invalid application, so verify eligibility first. See the complete guide for a side-by-side comparison.
How does the two-stage partner visa (temporary then permanent) work, and how long until PR?
Both the 820/801 and 309/100 are granted in two stages within the one application. Stage one is a temporary visa; stage two is permanent residence, assessed after a statutory waiting period (check the latest official figures for current timeframes). The Department reviews the relationship again at the second stage. Couples married for two or more years at lodgement may be eligible for a shorter pathway — confirm current policy with a registered agent.
What counts as a de facto relationship, and is the 12-month cohabitation rule strict?
A de facto relationship requires a genuine, mutual, exclusive committed partnership. A general 12-month cohabitation requirement applies, but exemptions exist — for example, if you are in a registered relationship under a prescribed state or territory law, or compelling circumstances prevented you from living together. Evidence of shared finances, joint commitments, and social recognition of the relationship all matter. The cohabitation rule is not automatically waived; you must affirmatively demonstrate an exemption applies to your specific circumstances.
Who can be a sponsor, and how many times can someone sponsor a partner?
A sponsor must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, and must be approved by the Department. Sponsorship limits apply — in most cases a person may only sponsor a limited number of partners over their lifetime, and a cooling-off period may apply between sponsorships. Check the latest official figures for current numerical limits. A history of family violence or certain criminal convictions can also disqualify a proposed sponsor regardless of relationship genuineness.
What is the subclass 300 Prospective Marriage visa, and who needs it?
The Subclass 300 is for people outside Australia who intend to marry an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen and then apply for a partner visa. It grants a temporary stay specifically to allow the marriage to take place in Australia. After the wedding, the holder must apply for a partner visa to remain. It is not a pathway to PR in its own right, and it is not available to couples who are already married or already de facto at the time of lodgement.
How much does a partner visa cost, and is it one fee for both stages?
The government charges a single application charge at lodgement that covers both the temporary and permanent stages of the partner visa — you do not pay again when the second stage is assessed. However, the fee is among the highest in the Australian visa system, and additional charges apply for secondary applicants (such as dependent children) included in the application. Check the Department of Home Affairs website for the current visa application charge, as fees are indexed and updated periodically.
What happens to my partner visa if the relationship breaks down before PR is granted?
A breakdown before permanent residence is granted does not automatically mean your visa application fails, but it significantly complicates your case. In certain circumstances — particularly where family violence occurred during the relationship — you may still be eligible for permanent residence under the family violence provisions. In other cases, the application may be refused. This is one of the most legally complex situations in migration law. See Partner Visa Relationship Breakdown and seek urgent advice from a registered migration agent.

The visas in this category

6 pathways in this category — explore each in full.

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