Bring Your Partner to Australia

Home Affairs expects you to show that your relationship is genuine and ongoing. You’ll have to provide documents showing who you are and how your relationship developed.

Start with identity documents for both partners. Birth certificates showing both parents’ names or other official documents confirming identity are standard. Translate any non‑English documents into English before submitting.

You’ll also need clear relationship evidence. This applies to the Partner Visa (onshore) (subclasses 820/801), Partner Visa (offshore) (subclasses 309/100), and Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300).

Provide:

• Documents describing your relationship history
• Evidence you’ve met face-to-face (for Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300))
• Written statements about your relationship
• Statements from two witnesses who know about your relationship
• Police certificates, where required

Witness statements should come from people with direct knowledge of your relationship. They need to explain how they know you and what they know about your commitment as a couple.

Attach all required documents at the time of application. Missing items—like witness statements or proof of meeting in person for a Prospective Marriage Visa—can lead to refusal.

Complete and sign all forms before submitting. Home Affairs may reject unsigned forms or applications lacking necessary identity or relationship evidence.

If your relationship ends or your partner dies after you apply for the Partner Visa (onshore) (subclasses 820/801), you might still remain eligible in some cases. Full and accurate evidence is still required.

You apply for partner and prospective marriage visas through the Department of Home Affairs. The process depends on your and your partner’s locations at the time of application.

Your location determines which visa you can apply for and where you must be when Home Affairs decides your case.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Confirm your visa pathway.

If you’re in Australia, apply for the Partner Visa (onshore) (subclasses 820/801) and stay in Australia during the process. If you’re outside Australia, apply for the Partner Visa (offshore) (subclasses 309/100) and stay outside Australia both when you apply and when the decision is made. If you plan to marry, apply for the Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300) while outside Australia.

Prepare identity documents.

Provide identity documents for yourself and any family members in the application. This includes a birth certificate with both parents’ names or another official document like a passport or national identity card.

Obtain police certificates.

Submit police certificates for immigration purposes. These are valid for 12 months from the issue date. If you don’t provide valid certificates, Home Affairs may delay or negatively affect your application.

Gather supporting statements.

Complete Form 888 for witness statements supporting your relationship. Make sure each statement is properly filled out before submission.

Apply online.

Lodge your application online through Home Affairs. For an offshore visa, you and any included family members must be outside Australia when applying.

Required Documents Checklist

• Birth certificate showing both parents’ names
• Passport or national identity card
• Police certificates (valid for 12 months)
• Form 888 witness statements
• Identity documents for all included family members

Incomplete applications cause delays. Missing identity documents or expired police certificates often lead to requests for more information.

You may also need to pay a higher visa application charge when applying for the Partner Visa (subclasses 820 and 801). For current fees, refer to the Department of Home Affairs.

Submit a complete and accurate application the first time. Careful preparation helps Home Affairs assess your case efficiently.

Your visa status depends on where you apply and which visa you choose.

If you lodge a Partner Visa (onshore) (subclasses 820/801) while holding a valid visa in Australia, you remain lawfully in Australia while Home Affairs processes your application. You’ll need to keep following the conditions of your current visa until your status changes.

You can check your visa status and conditions using VEVO. This system shows whether you hold a valid visa and what restrictions apply.

If you apply for a Partner Visa (offshore) (subclasses 309/100), you generally stay outside Australia while Home Affairs processes the application. Whether you can enter Australia during this time depends on whether you hold another valid visa, such as a Visitor visa.

If you apply for a Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300), you must:

• Have met your partner in person as adults
• Intend to marry before the visa period ends
• Be sponsored by an approved sponsor

You’ll need to provide complete and accurate information. Incomplete or incorrect documents can delay processing or lead to refusal.

processing times vary by category and location. For recently decided Partner (Provisional/Temporary) applications (Form 47SP), processing has been about 17 months as of February. Use the Global processing times tool on the Home Affairs website for current estimates.

Do not contact Home Affairs to ask about standard processing times. Use the official processing time guide.

When you bring your partner to Australia, you usually move through a temporary stage before permanent residence. The Department of Home Affairs manages this process from start to finish.

You must be at least 18 years old and have a sponsor who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. In most cases, you must be legally married or in a de facto relationship with your sponsor.

Understanding the Two‑Stage Process

If you apply onshore under the Partner Visa (onshore) (subclasses 820/801), you first receive the temporary Subclass 820 visa. This lets you live in Australia while you wait to become eligible for the permanent Subclass 801 visa.

If you apply from outside Australia under the Partner Visa (offshore) (subclasses 309/100), you also move from a temporary stage to a permanent stage. Processing for the permanent Partner visa begins from the date you become eligible.

If you plan to marry in Australia, you may start with the Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300). After marriage, you transition into the partner visa pathway and continue toward permanent residence.

Core Eligibility and Sponsor Requirements

Your sponsor must hold one of the following statuses:

• Australian citizen
• Australian permanent resident
• Eligible New Zealand citizen

You must apply under the correct visa type and stream. Home Affairs expects accurate, complete information in every form you submit.

Health and Character Requirements

You and any family members included in your application must meet health and character standards. This can also apply to certain family members who are not migrating.

You must provide:

• Police certificates (valid for 12 months from the date of issue)
• Health and character declarations
• Signed application forms with correct details

Incomplete or outdated documents can delay your progress from temporary status to permanent residence.

Moving From Temporary to Permanent Status

You do not receive permanent residence automatically. Home Affairs assesses whether you meet the requirements for the permanent stage after you become eligible.

Submit your online application carefully and make sure every document supports your relationship and identity. The date you become eligible for permanent processing matters, so track your status closely.

Your pathway from a family visa to permanent residence depends on meeting each requirement in sequence and responding promptly to requests from Home Affairs.

You can usually include your dependent children in your partner visa application. The Department of Home Affairs will assess each child's eligibility as part of your case.

This applies whether you lodge a Partner Visa (onshore) (subclasses 820/801), a Partner Visa (offshore) (subclasses 309/100), or a Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300). Declare all dependent children in your application, even if they won't migrate with you immediately.

Confirming Eligibility and Visa Type

Each child must be linked correctly to your application in your ImmiAccount. Home Affairs may require you to select the correct visa type or stream for each child, depending on your circumstances.

Relevant child-related visas listed by Home Affairs include:

• Child visa (subclass 101)
• Child visa (subclass 802)
• Dependent Child visa (subclass 445)
• Adoption visa (subclass 102)

You must choose the appropriate visa option in the online system. If you aren't sure which stream applies, refer to the Department of Home Affairs guidance before submitting.

Providing Accurate Information

You must disclose:

• Each child's full identity details
• Your immigration history, including any prior visa refusals or cancellations
• The correct visa stream selection
• Any required Transaction Reference Number (TRN) provided to a sponsor, if applicable

Incomplete or inconsistent information can delay processing. Enter details exactly as they appear on official documents.

If you share account access with your sponsor or another person, change your ImmiAccount password as soon as possible to protect your personal information.

Practical Steps to Include Your Children

Follow these steps in order:

1. Declare all dependent children in your initial partner or prospective marriage visa application. Do not omit a child, even if they will remain outside Australia.

2. Select the correct visa type or stream for each child in the online system.

3. Attach required documents through your ImmiAccount, ensuring names and dates match official records.

4. Provide the TRN to your sponsor if requested during the process.

5. Review your immigration history disclosures carefully before final submission.

The Department of Home Affairs decides visa applications. The Australian Border Force manages entry at the border, but it doesn't assess or approve partner or child visas.

For current fees or processing details in A$, refer to the Department of Home Affairs, as these figures change.