Offshore Partner Visa Pathway
Subclass 309/100 Visa – Partner Visa (Offshore) Australia
Your Path to Australia Starts Here — The Offshore Partner Visa for Spouses and De Facto Partners
Living apart from the person you love, separated by international borders, is one of the harder things couples face. The Subclass 309/100 Partner Visa is the pathway that lets the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen live in Australia — first temporarily, then permanently.
It is Australia's offshore partner visa — meaning you apply from outside Australia, and once your visa is granted, you travel to Australia to begin your life together. Unlike the onshore 820/801 pathway, the Subclass 309/100 is designed specifically for couples where one partner is still living abroad.
At Migration Republic, our MARA-registered migration agents have guided many international couples through every stage of the 309/100 process. We know what the Department looks for, we know how to build a strong application, and we know how to support you from first lodgment all the way to permanent residency.
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Visa Overview
What Is the Subclass 309/100 Partner Visa?
The Subclass 309 visa is a temporary offshore partner visa that enables the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia. It is the first stage in a two-step process leading to permanent residency via the Subclass 100 Partner (Migrant) Visa.
You apply for both the provisional Subclass 309 and permanent Subclass 100 at the same time, but the Department of Home Affairs assesses the temporary visa first. Once granted, you can enter Australia, work, study, access Medicare, and travel freely while awaiting the permanent stage.
The two visas are assessed and granted at different times, but they are lodged together as one combined application with a single fee. This is why they are always referred to together as the "309/100" — you do not need to apply separately for the 100 when the time comes.
Subclass 309
The provisional stage. Once granted, you can live, work, study, access Medicare, and travel in and out of Australia freely while the permanent stage is being assessed. From November 2023, the 309 can be granted while you are either inside or outside Australia.
Subclass 100
Approximately two years after your original lodgment date, the Department assesses your permanent stage. If your relationship remains genuine and ongoing, the Subclass 100 is granted — making you an Australian permanent resident. Some applicants may be granted the 100 directly, without the two-year wait.
Key Features of the Subclass 309/100 Visa
- Must lodge application while outside Australia
- From November 2023, the Subclass 309 can be granted while you are either inside or outside Australia — allowing you to visit your partner on a tourist visa while waiting
- Full work and study rights once the 309 is granted
- Medicare access from the time the 309 is granted
- Travel in and out of Australia freely throughout the visa period
- Subclass 100 (permanent residency) assessed approximately 2 years after lodgment
- Some applicants may be granted the permanent Subclass 100 directly, without waiting two years
- No additional cost for the Subclass 100 — both stages covered by a single combined fee
- Dependent children can be included in the application
Eligibility Criteria
Who Can Apply for the Subclass 309/100 Visa?
Eligibility for the offshore partner visa is centred around two things — your relationship with your Australian partner, and the genuineness of that relationship. The Department does not simply take a marriage certificate as proof. They assess your relationship in depth across four key categories.
You may be eligible to apply if you:
- Are the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Are outside Australia when you lodge your application
- Are legally married to your sponsor, or have been in a genuine de facto relationship for at least 12 months prior to applying
- Are at least 18 years of age
- Meet health and character requirements, including a medical examination and police clearances
- Have no outstanding Australian government debts and no relevant visa cancellations or refusals
Visa Advantages
Key Benefits of the Subclass 309/100 Visa
A Direct Pathway From Overseas to Australian Permanent Residency
The 309/100 is the clearest, most established route for overseas-based partners to reach Australian permanent residency. There is no ambiguity about where it leads — from temporary stay to permanent residency, step by step.
Full Work and Study Rights From Day One
Once your 309 visa is granted, you can stay in Australia, work and study in any industry or institution, and travel to and from Australia as many times as you want. There are no restrictions on type of employment or hours worked.
Medicare Access
As a Subclass 309 holder, you can enrol in Australia's public healthcare scheme, Medicare. This is a significant practical benefit that many temporary visa holders do not have access to.
Visit Your Partner While You Wait
From November 2023, the Subclass 309 can be granted while you are onshore in Australia — meaning you can visit your partner on a Visitor Visa while your 309 application is being processed. This allows couples to spend time together during what can be a long wait.
Possible Direct Permanent Grant
In certain circumstances — such as long-term relationships — the Department may grant the Subclass 100 permanent visa directly, without the two-year wait. This depends on the strength and duration of your relationship at the time of assessment.
One Fee Covers Both Stages
There is no additional cost for the Subclass 100. The combined fee for both the 309 and 100 stages is paid as part of a single application — no second payment when the permanent stage comes up for assessment.
Family Members Included
You may include dependent children or step-children who meet dependency criteria. All family members must meet health and character requirements.
Choosing the Right Pathway
Subclass 309 vs Subclass 820 — Offshore or Onshore, Which Is Right for You?
This is one of the most common questions couples ask. The answer is straightforward once you understand the difference.
Apply for Subclass 309 (Offshore) if:
- You are currently outside Australia
- You want to migrate to Australia to be with your partner
- You are married or in a de facto relationship of 12 months or more
Apply for Subclass 820 (Onshore) if:
- You are already inside Australia
- You are in a genuine relationship with your Australian partner
- You want to remain in Australia while your permanent stage is assessed
Our team at Migration Republic can assess which pathway is right for your specific situation and recommend the most appropriate route.
Relationship Assessment
What the Department Assesses — Relationship Evidence
The Department of Home Affairs assesses your relationship based on four key areas. They want to see genuine, consistent, and well-documented evidence across all four — not just one or two.
Financial Aspects
Joint bank accounts, shared assets, shared household expenses, wills naming each other, evidence of financial support between partners.
Nature of the Household
Evidence of living together or visiting each other, joint leases or utility bills, mail addressed to both partners at the same address, shared domestic responsibilities.
Social Aspects
Photos together with family and friends across different times and occasions, documentation of joint travel, attendance at events as a couple, Form 888 statutory declarations from people who know you as a couple.
Commitment to the Relationship
Communication history including messages, video calls and emails, evidence of knowledge of each other's lives and families, long-term plans made together, marriage certificate or de facto relationship registration.
Sponsor Eligibility
Sponsorship Requirements
Your Australian partner must be approved as a sponsor before the Subclass 309 can be granted. The sponsorship is submitted as part of the combined 309/100 application — your partner lodges Form 40SP as sponsor, and you lodge Form 47SP as the applicant. To be approved, your partner must:
- Be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Not have sponsored another partner for a Partner Visa or Prospective Marriage Visa in the last 5 years
- Not have been granted a Partner Visa or Prospective Marriage Visa themselves in the last 5 years (unless special circumstances apply)
- Meet character requirements set by the Department
- Have no convictions for relevant offences, including family violence or child abuse
Government & Professional Fees
Subclass 309/100 Visa Costs
The combined Subclass 309/100 visa application fee as of July 2025 is AUD $9,365 for the main applicant. There is also a charge for each family member who applies for the visa with you. Visa fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
| Fee Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Main Applicant — Subclass 309/100 (combined) | $9,365 * |
| Additional Applicant 18+ | Additional charge applies |
| Additional Applicant Under 18 | Additional charge applies |
| Health Examination (approx, per person) | $350 – $500 |
| Police Clearances | Varies by country |
| Certified Document Translations | Varies |
| Migration Republic Professional Fee | Contact Us |
Important: Fees are reviewed and often increased each July. Confirm the current fee at the time of lodgment via ImmiAccount. Budget for the full cost of the process — health checks, police clearances, and document translations can increase the total amount significantly beyond the government application fee alone.
Timeframes
Subclass 309/100 Visa Processing Times
Processing times for the 309/100 are among the most discussed topics in Australian migration — and for good reason. The wait is real and the timeline is significant.
Subclass 309 — Temporary Stage
50% of applications processed in 14–18 months. 90% of applications processed in 28–36 months as of late 2025.
Subclass 100 — Permanent Stage
Assessed around 9 to 20 months after it becomes eligible for review — approximately two years after your original lodgment date.
Taking the shortest processing times into account, it may take at least 3 to 4 years to obtain both the Subclass 309 and Subclass 100 visas. Planning ahead — and applying as early as possible — is the most important thing you can do.
How It Works
The 309 to 100 Transition — How It Works
Understanding exactly how the two stages connect is important for planning your journey.
Lodge the Combined Application
Both the Subclass 309 and Subclass 100 are applied for together in a single combined application. You pay one fee. You submit one set of documents. Your partner lodges Form 40SP as sponsor; you lodge Form 47SP as the applicant.
Subclass 309 Is Decided
The Department assesses the temporary 309 stage first. Once granted, you can travel to Australia and begin your life there — working, studying, accessing Medicare, and travelling freely.
Two-Year Mark — 100 Stage Assessment
After two years from your original lodgment date, the Department contacts you to assess the permanent 100 stage. You provide updated evidence that your relationship is genuine and ongoing, and that you continue to meet all requirements.
Subclass 100 Is Granted
You become an Australian permanent resident. From this point, you can live and work in Australia indefinitely, sponsor eligible family members, and eventually apply for citizenship after meeting the residence requirements.
The key to a smooth 309 to 100 transition is continuity — keeping your relationship evidence updated throughout the entire period, not just at the time of initial lodgment. Some applicants may be granted the permanent Subclass 100 visa directly, without waiting two years, depending on the length and strength of the relationship.
Document Checklist
Documents Required for the Subclass 309/100 Visa
For the Visa Applicant
- Valid passport and identity documents
- Relationship evidence across all four categories (financial, household, social, commitment)
- Results of a health examination from a Department-approved panel physician
- Police clearances from every country you have lived in for 12 or more cumulative months in the past 10 years
- Certified translations of any documents not in English
- Marriage certificate (for married couples) or evidence of registered de facto relationship
- Communication records demonstrating the ongoing nature of your relationship
For the Sponsor (Australian Partner)
- Evidence of Australian citizenship, permanent residence, or eligible New Zealand citizenship
- Identity documents
- Completed Form 40SP (sponsorship form)
Supporting Documents From Others
- Form 888 statutory declarations from two Australian citizens or permanent residents who know you both personally and can confirm your relationship is genuine
Getting the evidence right — particularly the relationship evidence — is where applications are won or lost. Thin or one-dimensional evidence is one of the leading causes of delays and refusals. With a non-refundable government fee of over $9,000, getting it right the first time matters.
How We Help
Our Visa Process
Eligibility Assessment and Pathway Advice
We start by reviewing your relationship history, your current visa status, your partner's sponsorship eligibility, and whether the offshore 309/100 or a different pathway is most suitable for your circumstances. You get honest advice before any application is lodged.
Relationship Evidence Strategy
This is where we add the most value. We work with you to identify strong, consistent evidence across all four relationship categories and structure it in a way that presents a clear, credible picture to the Department. We do not just compile documents — we build a case.
Application Preparation and Lodgement
We prepare Form 47SP, Form 40SP, and every supporting document carefully. Everything is reviewed before lodgment. When we submit, the application is complete, consistent, and decision-ready — minimising the risk of requests for additional information that add months to processing time.
Ongoing Case Management
After lodgment, we stay involved. We monitor your application, respond promptly to any Department requests, and keep you updated throughout. We also advise you on gathering ongoing relationship evidence for the 100 stage assessment.
Subclass 100 Stage Support
When the two-year mark approaches, we help you prepare the updated evidence package required for the permanent stage assessment. The 100 assessment is a fresh review of your current relationship — it needs current, up-to-date evidence. We make sure you are ready.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Migration Republic
Why Choose Migration Republic?
The Subclass 309/100 offshore partner visa is one of the most evidence-intensive applications in the Australian migration system. The Department is not looking for paperwork — they are looking for proof that your relationship is real, genuine, and ongoing. And they assess that proof thoroughly, over multiple years.
Getting the evidence right from the very beginning — across all four relationship categories, with depth and consistency — is what separates successful applications from those that face delays, requests for further information, or refusals. With a non-refundable government fee of over $9,000, getting it right the first time matters.
At Migration Republic, our MARA-registered migration agents bring genuine experience in offshore partner visa applications. We know what the Department looks for at the 309 stage and at the 100 stage. We know how to structure relationship evidence, how to respond to requests for additional information, and how to manage your case all the way through to permanent residency.
Transparent Process
Regular updates at every stage of your application so you always know where things stand.
High Success Rate
Personalised service with a proven track record of successful offshore partner visa outcomes.
End-to-End Support
Dedicated support from your Subclass 309 lodgment all the way through to your Subclass 100 permanent residency grant.
Ready to Apply for Your Subclass 309/100 Partner Visa?
If you are overseas and your partner is in Australia — whether you are married, in a long-term de facto relationship, or somewhere in between — the Subclass 309/100 offshore partner visa is the pathway built for your situation. It takes careful preparation, comprehensive relationship evidence, and experienced guidance to navigate it well. Our MARA-registered agents at Migration Republic are here to make the process as smooth, clear, and stress-free as possible.
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