Partner Visa

The onshore Partner, Subclass 820, Visa enables spouses and de facto partners of an Australian citizen, a permanent resident of Australia, or an eligible New Zealand citizen, to live in Australia temporarily.

The grant of a Partner, Subclass 820, Visa provides a pathway to permanent residence in Australia and is the first step towards the permanent Partner, Subclass 801, Visa.

For offshore applicants, the Partner, Subclass 309, Visa allows spouses and de facto partners of an Australian citizen, a permanent resident of Australia, or an eligible New Zealand citizen, to live in Australia temporarily. The grant of a Partner, Subclass 309, Visa provides a pathway to permanent residence in Australia and is the first step towards the permanent Partner, Subclass 100, Visa.

You can apply for a Partner visa regardless of whether you are in a relationship with someone of the same sex or different sex. If you are a married applicant for a Partner visa, you will need to show that you and your spouse are committed to a shared life together to the exclusion of all others.

You also have to show that the relationship with your spouse is genuine and continuing, you are living together with your spouse or you do not live apart on a permanent basis, and your marriage is recognized as valid under Australian laws.

If you are in a de-facto relationship with your sponsor, your relationship should have existed for at least 12 months immediately before the date when you lodge the visa application unless, for example, you demonstrate that there are compelling and compassionate circumstances for the grant of a Partner visa. In some circumstances, you may be granted a visa even if your relationship has broken down or if your sponsor has died.

In order to show that you are in a de-facto partner relationship, you must be committed to a shared life with your partner to the exclusion of all others, your relationship must be genuine and continuing, you are to live together or you cannot live separately and apart on a permanent basis, and you must not be related by family.

You will be asked to show evidence of the financial aspects of your relationship, the nature of your household, the social aspects of the relationship, and the nature of your commitment to each other.

Partner visa applicants, as well as members of their family unit including dependent children who apply for the visa, must meet health and character requirements. Family members who are not going to accompany you to Australia may also have to satisfy health requirements.

There are various requirements that must be met by people who wish to sponsor an applicant for a Prospective Marriage, Subclass 300, visa or a Partner visa.

Amongst the requirements, sponsors have to provide relevant Australian and overseas Police clearances when applying for sponsorship, and they must provide written consent to have any convictions for applicable offences disclosed to the visa applicant.