Partner Visa

An Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen can sponsor their spouse, partner, or fiancée to permanently migrate to Australia if they satisfy the criterion of various Australian Partner Visas.

Australian Partner Visas Categories and Types

An eligible partner visa applicant may be eligible for a partner visa of type depending upon the type of relationship and the location of the applicant.

Types of Partner Visa Australia

Onshore Partner Visas

For these partner visas, the applicant needs to be located within Australia.

• Subclass 820 – Partner Visa (Temporary)

A subclass 820 partner Visa is for applicants who are in Australia at the time of the partner visa application lodgement. It is a 2 stage Partner Visa. Applicants apply for a Subclass 820 and Subclass 801 partner visa together with a single application form by paying the visa fee together. 

The applicant can continue to live on a Bridging Visa while their partner visa application is decided. To travel overseas they need to apply for a BVB (Bridging Visa B).

Partner Visa 820 Processing Time 2023

The following are the latest processing times for Partner Visa Subclass 820 as per the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website.

• 25% of Visa 820 applications are processed in 4 Months.
• 50% of Visa 820 applications are processed in 8 Months.
• 75% of Subclass 820 applications are processed in 17 Months.
• 90% of Subclass 820 applications are processed in 37 Months.

 

• Subclass 801 – Partner Visa (Permanent)

Since the 801 Subclass partner visa is a permanent visa, it cannot be granted for at least 2 years after the application for the 820 Visa and 801 Visa is made. Generally, the partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian PR, or eligible New Zealand citizen is first granted a temporary 820 partner visa and then after 2 years granted the subclass 801 permanent partner visa. In some cases where 2 years have passed since the 820 and 801 Visa combined application, the Department of Home Affairs may grant the Visa 801 permanent partner visa if all other criterion is satisfied.

Partner Visa 801 Processing Time 2023

The following are the latest processing times for permanent Partner Visa Subclass 801 as per the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website.

• 25% of Visa 801 applications are processed in 7 Months.
• 50% of Visa 801 applications are processed in 13 Months.
• 75% of Subclass 801 applications are processed in 14 Months.
• 90% of Subclass 801 applications are processed in 23 Months.

 

Offshore Partner Visas

For these partner visas, the applicant needs to be located outside Australia.

• Subclass 309 – Partner Visa (Provisional)

For applicants of the Australian Partner Visa who are outside Australia, a combined application of subclass 309 and subclass 100 needs to be made. It is also a 2 stage Partner Visa application. Applicants are first granted a subclass 309 Temporary partner visa to travel to Australia and live with their spouse or partner. 

Partner Visa 309 Processing Time 2023

The following are the latest processing times for temporary Partner Visa Subclass 309 applications as per the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website.

• 25% of Visa 309 applications are processed in 6 Months.
• 50% of Visa 309 applications are processed in 11 Months.
• 75% of Subclass 309 applications are processed in 16 Months.
• 90% of Subclass 309 applications are processed in 32 Months.

 

• Subclass 100 – Partner Visa (Permanent)

After 2 years of an applicant’s partner visa combined application of subclass 309 and subclass 100, the applicant becomes eligible to be granted a subclass 100 permanent partner visa if they satisfy all other criteria.

Partner Visa 100 Processing Time 2023

The following are the latest processing times for permanent Partner Visa Subclass 100 as per the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website.

• 25% of Visa 801 applications are processed in 7 Months.
• 50% of Visa 801 applications are processed in 13 Months.
• 75% of Subclass 801 applications are processed in 17 Months.
• 90% of Subclass 801 applications are processed in 32 Months.

 

• Subclass 300 – Prospective Marriage Visa

A subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa lets a prospective spouse travel to Australia and marry an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand Citizen. The Prospective Marriage Visa is mostly granted for 9 months, and the visa holder is expected to marry within the visa period.

Once the Prospective Marriage Visa holder and their sponsor marry, the applicant can then apply for a Partner Visa subclass 820 and 801.

Prospective Marriage Visa 300 Processing Time 2023

The following are the latest processing times for Prospective Marriage Visa Subclass 300 as per the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website.

• 25% of Visa 801 applications are processed in 5 Months.
• 50% of Visa 801 applications are processed in 10 Months.
• 75% of Subclass 801 applications are processed in 18 Months.
• 90% of Subclass 801 applications are processed in 32 Months.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Partner Visa Australia

Is there any limit on the number of partners you can sponsor for a Partner Visa?

An Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen can sponsor only 2 spouses/partners in their lifetime for an Australian Partner Visa except in limited circumstances where they may be able to sponsor someone beyond the limit of 2 sponsorships. 

If you are an applicant who has already sponsored 2 partners for an Australian Partner Visa, Contact Us to see if you are still eligible.