Offshore Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100)
Missing your partner because of a visa form feels unfair, and it is one of the hardest parts of loving someone from another country. The Offshore Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100) is the two-stage pathway that lets the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen move to Australia and, in time, stay there permanently. You apply for both stages together in one combined application, starting with the temporary Subclass 309 visa and finishing with the permanent Subclass 100 visa once your relationship has stood the test of time.
This specialized visa service page walks you through what the visa actually does, who can apply, what it costs, how long it takes, and how it compares with the other partner visa options. At Ezy Immigration, our Licensed Immigration Advisers and MARA-registered Migration Agents have supported New Zealand-based couples through this exact pathway for over twelve years, and we have built this guide around the questions real couples ask us every week.
What Is the Offshore Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100)?
The Subclass 309/100 is really two visas joined into one journey. You lodge a single application from outside Australia, and the Department of Home Affairs assesses it in two steps. First comes the Subclass 309, a temporary visa that lets you live in Australia with your partner while your case moves through the system. Roughly two years later, once your relationship has been reassessed, you are granted the Subclass 100, the permanent visa that lets you stay in Australia for life.
Think of it less like two separate hurdles and more like one long bridge with a checkpoint in the middle. You do not need to reapply, resubmit your relationship story from scratch, or pay a second application fee for the permanent stage. You simply keep living your life together and keep your evidence up to date, and the Department does the rest at the two-year mark.
Living Apart Isn't a Life Sentence — Here's the Way Through
Long-distance relationships wear people down in ways that are hard to explain to anyone who hasn’t lived it. Time zones, missed dinners, birthdays spent on a video call, and the constant, quiet question of when will we actually be together — we hear this from nearly every couple who reaches out to us.
The good news is that the pain point is rarely the relationship itself. It’s the paperwork, the jargon, and not knowing which document matters and which one doesn’t. The Subclass 309/100 pathway exists precisely to solve this, and our job at Ezy Immigration is to translate the Department of Home Affairs’ requirements into a plan you can actually follow. We’ve guided New Zealand couples through this process for more than a decade, and we know which pieces of evidence make a strong case on the first attempt.
What You Gain Once Your Visa Is Granted
Once the Subclass 309 stage is approved, life changes immediately. You can live in Australia for as long as the visa remains valid while your permanent stage is assessed in the background. You are free to work in any job and study any course without a separate permit, and depending on your circumstances, you may be able to enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public health scheme. You can also travel in and out of Australia as often as you need, whether that’s for work commitments or a quick trip home to see family.
When the permanent Subclass 100 is granted a couple of years later, those rights become indefinite. You are no longer waiting on anything. You can sponsor eligible family members, you gain the same long-term standing as any other Australian permanent resident, and in time, you become eligible to apply for Australian citizenship.
“Every Subclass 309/100 decision comes down to one central question: is this relationship genuine and continuing? Consistency across your evidence matters more than any single document.”
Who Can Apply for the Subclass 309 Visa?
Eligibility rests on your relationship, your sponsor, and a handful of standard requirements shared across most Australian visas. You must be legally married to your partner or in a de facto relationship with them, and same-sex relationships are recognised equally under Australian law. If you’re relying on a de facto relationship rather than marriage, you generally need to show you’ve lived together for at least twelve months immediately before applying, unless your relationship is formally registered with an Australian state or territory. Couples who are engaged but not yet living together should look at the Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) instead, since the 309/100 requires an existing marriage or de facto partnership.
Your partner takes on the role of sponsor, and they need to be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen, aged eighteen or older. Sponsorship isn’t unlimited — a person can generally sponsor no more than two partners across their lifetime, with a five-year gap required between sponsorships unless compassionate circumstances apply. Both of you will also need to meet standard health and character requirements, which typically means a medical examination and police certificates from every country either of you has lived in for twelve months or more.
For a closer look at either half of this pathway, our dedicated guides cover the Subclass 309 temporary stage and the Subclass 100 permanent stage in much greater depth.
Offshore Subclass 309/100 vs Onshore Subclass 820/801
Couples often ask whether they need the offshore pathway or its onshore twin. The honest answer usually comes down to where you are physically living when you apply.
| Subclass 309/100 (Offshore) | Subclass 820/801 (Onshore) | |
|---|---|---|
|
Where you apply from |
Outside Australia |
Inside Australia, on a substantive visa |
|
Typical applicant |
Partner still based in New Zealand |
Partner already living in Australia |
|
Leads to |
Subclass 100 (permanent) |
Subclass 801 (permanent) |
|
Bridging visa while waiting |
Not applicable — you remain outside Australia until the 309 is granted |
Yes, a bridging visa applies while your 820 is assessed |
|
Work and study rights |
Yes, once the 309 is granted |
Yes, once the 820 is granted |
If you’re currently living in New Zealand and your partner is already settled in Australia, the offshore Subclass 309/100 is almost always the right starting point. Our team confirms which pathway genuinely fits your situation as part of a free assessment.
Your Two-Stage Journey
The path follows a fairly predictable rhythm, even though every couple’s exact timeline looks a little different.
Home Affairs data shows roughly half of Subclass 309 applications are decided within about fourteen months, and most of the rest within two years. The permanent Subclass 100 decision then typically follows within eight to fifteen months of becoming eligible. A complete, well-organised application with strong, consistent relationship evidence is genuinely the best way to avoid unnecessary delays at either stage. See What Documents You’ll Need
Ready to Bring Your Partner Home?
You’ve read the requirements and you understand roughly how the process unfolds. The next step is finding out exactly where you stand, and that doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Our free preliminary assessment takes just a few minutes and gives you an honest, personalised answer about your eligibility, with no obligation attached.
We won’t take on your case if we don’t believe it will succeed, because that would waste your time and your money. What we will do is tell you exactly where you stand and, if you’re eligible, walk beside you from your very first document through to your final grant. You’re also welcome to read what past clients have said about working with our team before you decide anything.
Your Future Together Starts With One Conversation
Being apart from the person you’ve built a life with is genuinely hard, and paperwork should never be the thing standing in your way. The Offshore Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100) exists to bring genuine couples together permanently, and with the right guidance, it’s a process you can approach with confidence rather than anxiety. Ezy Immigration has spent over a decade helping New Zealand-based couples through exactly this journey — from that first nervous enquiry through to a granted visa and a shared address in Australia. Meet the licensed advisers who’ll be on your case, and let’s find out what your pathway looks like.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I apply for the Offshore Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100) from New Zealand?
You lodge one combined application online through ImmiAccount while living outside Australia, with your relationship evidence, identity documents, and your sponsor’s details ready beforehand. Ezy Immigration prepares and lodges the full application on your behalf, checking every document against Home Affairs requirements before submission to reduce the risk of delays or requests for more information.
- How long does the Subclass 309/100 visa take to process?
Roughly half of Subclass 309 applications are decided within fourteen months, with most others finalised within two years. The permanent Subclass 100 stage then typically follows eight to fifteen months after you become eligible, usually around the two-year mark. Complete, well-organised evidence with no gaps is the single biggest factor in avoiding extra processing delays at either stage.
- How much does the Offshore Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100) cost?
The base application charge for the combined 309/100 application sits at roughly AUD $9,095, current as of 2026, and this figure rises each July. It doesn’t include extra charges for dependent children, health examinations, or police certificates from every country you’ve lived in. Ezy Immigration provides an itemised, up-to-date cost breakdown for your family before you commit to anything.
- What documents do I need for a Subclass 309/100 application?
You’ll need identity documents for both partners, evidence covering your finances, household, social recognition, and shared commitment, plus police certificates and results from a health examination for everyone included. Ezy Immigration gives you a personalized checklist early on, so you know exactly what to gather, in what order, and how much detail each item needs before lodging.
- How do I find a reliable migration agent for Australian partner visas in New Zealand?
Look for advisers who hold both New Zealand IAA licensing and Australian MARA registration, since a genuine partner visa case usually touches both jurisdictions and legal systems. Ezy Immigration’s team holds both credentials, has supported New Zealand couples through this exact pathway for over twelve years, and offers a free assessment before any commitment is required from you.
- Can I track the progress of my Subclass 309/100 application?
Yes, once lodged, your application status is visible through your ImmiAccount at any time, and the Department contacts you directly through the same account if further documents are needed. Ezy Immigration also keeps you personally updated at every milestone along the way, so you’re never left guessing about where your file actually stands or what happens next.
- Do I need to be married to apply for the Subclass 309/100 visa?
No, the pathway accepts both married couples and de facto partners, including same-sex relationships, on equal terms. If you’re in a de facto relationship, you generally need to show at least twelve months of living together immediately before applying, unless your relationship is formally registered with an Australian state or territory authority.
- What is the difference between Subclass 309/100 and Subclass 820/801?
The Subclass 309/100 is for applicants living outside Australia when they apply, while the Subclass 820/801 suits partners who are already living in Australia on a substantive visa. Both pathways lead to permanent residency along a similar two-stage structure, but your physical location at the time of lodgement is what determines which one actually applies to you.
- Can Ezy Immigration help me apply for the Subclass 309/100 visa from New Zealand?
Yes, Ezy Immigration is a New Zealand-based team of Licensed Immigration Advisers and MARA-registered Migration Agents who prepare and lodge Subclass 309/100 applications for couples across New Zealand and Australia. Your eligibility is assessed for free, honestly and without pressure, before you’re ever asked to commit to anything further.
- Where can I read reviews of Ezy Immigration's partner visa service?
Genuine feedback from couples we’ve helped is published on our testimonials page, covering everything from that first nervous enquiry through to a granted visa. You’re welcome to read through these stories before booking your own free assessment, so you know exactly what working with our team actually looks and feels like.
Not Sure Where to Start? Here Is How to Move Forward
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New Zealand Licensed Immigration Adviser and Australia Registered Migration Agent
IAA # 201300919
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Ready to bridge the distance and start your life together in Australia? Ezy Immigration helps you start your migration journey without hassle. Set up a one-on-one meeting with our registered migration advisers to get personalized advice for your combined Offshore Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100) application.
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- What You Get From Your Free Subclass 309/100 Assessment
Are you ready to take the first step toward starting your life together in Australia? Use our quick, free tool to check your eligibility for the combined Offshore Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100). It takes less than two minutes, costs absolutely nothing, and there are no hidden tricks. We will give you honest advice tailored to your relationship, so you find out your exact partner visa choices without any stress.
- We evaluate your marriage or 12-month de facto relationship eligibility (no points test required)
- We check your Australian partner's sponsor eligibility and statutory limits
- We map out your two-stage pathway to Australian permanent residency (Subclass 100)
- Your personal relationship evidence, photos, and details stay completely safe