Do You and Your Partner Live Outside Australia and Want to Be Together There?
Couples living outside Australia often find the Offshore Partner Visa Australia application process daunting. Many aren’t sure if they should apply for Subclass 309 or Subclass 100 first. In reality, these aren’t separate visas—they represent two phases of the same process. You start by applying for the temporary visa (309) and later, after meeting specific criteria, you become eligible for the permanent visa (100).
Confused about where to begin, what each visa entails, and how the process unfolds? This guide will simplify everything. You’ll understand your next steps — and how Ezy Immigration can support your success.
Key Takeaways
- Subclass 309 stands for the temporary offshore partner visa.
- Subclass 100 represents the permanent partner visa and comes into effect after about two years.
- You submit applications for both but receive the 100 visa later.
- Offshore implies you need to be outside Australia when you apply.
- Relationship proof carries more weight than any other factor.
- The process calls for health, character, police and sponsor checks.
What Are Subclass 309 and 100? Here's the Scoop
What Is Subclass 309 (Temporary Offshore Partner Visa)?
The Subclass 309 visa starts the process to bring your partner to Australia from overseas. It allows you to live, work and study in Australia while officials review your permanent residency application.
This visa fits people who:
- Have married an Australian citizen permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen,
- Or live with their partner (for at least 12 months before applying),
- And stay outside Australia when they apply.
You also need to pass health and character checks, and your sponsor should be able to back your application.
What Is Subclass 100 (Permanent Partner Visa)?
The Subclass 100 visa is the second and final step. After you’ve held Subclass 309 for about two years, and you’re still in a real relationship, you can apply for permanent residency.
This visa:
- Allows you to stay in Australia for good,
- Gives you access to welfare and rights to study/work,
- Paves the way for future citizenship.
Keep in mind: You submit applications for both 309 and 100 visas together — but the processing of the 100 visa doesn’t start until about two years after you file your application.
Why the Offshore Partner Visa Is the Best Choice for You
Real Life Together in Australia
Picking the offshore partner visa option can allow you to:
- Join your partner quicker than other methods,
- Stay and work in Australia while you wait to get permanent status,
- Include dependent children in the same application,
- And, after several years, submit an Australian citizenship application.
This goes beyond mere paperwork – it’s about creating a shared life in Australia. Your bond and future are important. That’s why grasping both phases (short-term and long-term) is crucial for success.
Flexible Relationship Recognition
Whether you’re married or in a de facto relationship, the Department of Home Affairs will examine your proof as a genuine and ongoing partnership. For de facto couples, showing at least 12 months of living together helps. In some instances, exceptions exist if you’ve registered your relationship or have compelling reasons why you haven’t shared a home .
Avoid Costly Mistakes
Incomplete paperwork or wrong proof often causes visa hold-ups or rejections. This is where getting help from experts can turn things around – they give you full lists of what you need and show you the best way to prove your relationship.
What to Do Next — Get Going
Now you know about the two-part partner visa process here’s your next move:
- Check If You Qualify: You and your sponsor need to meet certain rules about your relationship, character, and health.
- Get Your Paperwork Ready: Collect proof of your relationship, ID documents, info about your sponsor, police reports, medical reports, and other supporting stuff.
- Send In Your Application: Use your ImmiAccount to submit your combined 309/100 application to the Department of Home Affairs. You pay one fee when you start.
- Keep In Contact: If the Department asks for more proof (which happens a lot), answer and .
- Get Ready to Move: Once they approve the 309 visa, they’ll invite you to come to Australia and start your life together while you wait for final permanent residency approval.
👉 Book a consultation with Ezy Immigration’s partner visa experts to prepare your application for a quick decision. With professional help, you have a better chance to submit a compelling application on your first try.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Subclass 309/100 partner visa is for applicants who are outside Australia when they apply and often when they receive the visa.
309 is temporary and lets you enter Australia. After about two years, if you still meet the requirements, you can qualify for the permanent 100 visa.
Yes, you must prove you have a real and ongoing relationship. For de facto couples, sharing a home for at least 12 months helps show this, though some exceptions might apply.
Processing times vary but can stretch over several months for the temporary visa and even longer before you get the permanent visa.
Yes — you can add dependent children to the same partner visa application.
Pictures records of messages, joint bank accounts, travel plans, shared rental agreements, and official statements from friends and family all help show your relationship is genuine.
