Partner Visa (offshore) (subclasses 309/100) — Australia

The Australia partner visa offshore lets you apply from outside Australia as the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.

You lodge your application with the Department of Home Affairs and, if granted, you can live in Australia with your partner.

What it lets you do

The Partner Visa (offshore) (subclasses 309/100) allows you to live in Australia with your partner.

You apply while you are outside Australia, and Home Affairs processes your application.

You receive a two‑stage outcome under one combined application:

Home Affairs assesses your eligibility based on your relationship to an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.

The Australian Border Force manages your entry at the border once a visa is granted.

If you plan to apply from inside Australia, you would instead look at the Partner Visa (onshore) (subclasses 820/801), which follows a similar two‑stage structure but requires you to be in Australia when you apply.

Who it’s for

This visa is for you if you are outside Australia and in a genuine relationship with an eligible sponsor.

Your sponsor must be:

• An Australian citizen
• An Australian permanent resident
• An eligible New Zealand citizen

You must be the sponsor’s spouse or de facto partner.

Home Affairs requires you to apply from outside Australia for this visa stream.

This pathway does not apply if you are engaged but not yet married and do not meet de facto requirements.

In that case, you would consider the Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300), which allows you to travel to Australia to marry your partner.

It also differs from family visas such as the Parent Visa (subclass 103), Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 143), and Child Visa (offshore) (subclass 101), which apply to different family relationships.

You lodge your application with Home Affairs using the required partner visa application process, including the relevant forms such as Form Form 47SP, as directed in the official instructions.

Included visa subclasses

The Australia partner visa offshore consists of two linked subclasses processed together:

You submit one combined application for both subclasses.

Home Affairs first assesses you for the temporary stage (subclass 309).

If you meet the requirements, you later become eligible for assessment for the permanent stage (subclass 100).

You do not submit a completely separate new visa application for the permanent stage under the same program.

Home Affairs makes all visa decisions.

The Australian Border Force does not assess or grant partner visas.

Certain problems can block or delay your offshore Partner Visa (subclass 309/100) application.

Character findings, prior cancellations, and errors in your forms can prevent approval and limit your future visa options.

Character and cancellation issues

You should seek legal advice immediately if Home Affairs has ever cancelled or refused your visa on character grounds since your last arrival in Australia.

In that situation, you may only be able to apply for a Protection visa (subclass 866) if you meet its criteria.

Serious criminal offences make visa approval unlikely.

Home Affairs assesses character concerns carefully, and cases involving criminal history often move into a separate character assessment process.

These cases:

• Involve complex and sensitive information
• Commonly take longer to process
• Require detailed disclosures and supporting documents

Character issues can also affect other visa pathways, including:

If you have any criminal record, prior visa cancellation, or pending charges, obtain advice before lodging Form Form 47SP.

When prior refusals or complex matters arise

You should also get help if Home Affairs has previously refused any Australian visa you applied for.

While a refusal does not automatically bar a Partner Visa (subclass 309/100), it raises scrutiny.

Complex matters include:

• Past refusals on character grounds
• Previous visa cancellations
• Applications involving sensitive or disputed facts

Home Affairs may refer these cases for character consideration.

These referrals involve detailed internal review and can extend processing times.

Filing a new offshore partner application does not guarantee approval.

The same concerns that led to a refusal in another visa category, including a Partner Visa (onshore) (subclasses 820/801), may still apply.

You should review all past decisions carefully before reapplying.

Inconsistent explanations or incomplete disclosure can damage credibility.

Risks from incorrect or missing information

Errors in your application can cause refusal, especially in character matters.

You must answer all questions in Form 47SP completely and truthfully.

Pay close attention to:

• Criminal history declarations
• Previous visa refusals or cancellations
• Accurate travel and immigration history

Home Affairs expects full disclosure.

Omitting a past refusal, even for a different visa such as a Parent Visa (subclass 103) or Child Visa (offshore) (subclass 101), can lead to serious consequences.

If you are unsure how to answer a question, do not guess.

Incorrect or inconsistent information can trigger further investigation and referral for character consideration, which increases delays and risk of refusal.

Professional advice helps you present accurate information and address any adverse history before Home Affairs makes a decision.

An offshore Partner visa starts as a temporary stage and can progress to permanent residence.

You must meet specific relationship and eligibility requirements at each step and keep Home Affairs informed while your application is assessed.

From provisional to permanent

When you apply offshore, you receive a temporary visa first (subclass 309).

This stage allows Home Affairs to assess your relationship over time before granting the permanent Partner visa (subclass 100).

Home Affairs assesses whether your relationship has continued for the required two‑year period before deciding the permanent stage.

You must show that:

• Your relationship is ongoing and genuine.
• You and your partner remain committed to a shared life.
• You continue to meet all character and other relevant criteria.

You do not lodge a new, separate visa application to move from subclass 309 to subclass 100.

The permanent stage forms part of the original offshore Partner visa process.

This differs from other family visas such as the Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300), which requires a further partner visa application after marriage, or parent visas like the Parent Visa (subclass 103) and Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 143), which do not operate on a two‑stage partner framework.

Maintaining eligibility during processing

You need to stay eligible from lodgement until Home Affairs makes a decision on your permanent stage. Any change in your relationship or personal situation could impact your outcome.

Focus on these core obligations:

• Keep your relationship genuine and continuing.
• Inform Home Affairs of significant changes.
• Respond promptly to requests for further information.

If you applied using Form Form 47SP, make sure all details stay accurate. Update Home Affairs if your contact details, passport, or relationship status change.

Don’t mix up the offshore process with the Partner Visa (onshore) (subclasses 820/801). Both run in two stages, but they apply in different circumstances and locations.

If you held a Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300) before applying offshore, you still need to meet partner criteria at decision time. Other family visas, such as the Child Visa (offshore) (subclass 101), have their own eligibility rules and don’t convert into partner visas.

Home Affairs bases its decision on the evidence you provide and your ongoing compliance with visa requirements.

You apply for the temporary and permanent partner visas together in one combined application. Home Affairs first looks at the temporary Partner (Provisional) visa (subclass 309) and later considers the permanent Partner (Migrant) visa (subclass 100) using the same application.

Stage 1: Sponsor and lodgement overview

You must lodge a combined application for both subclass 309 and subclass

1. Home Affairs won’t accept separate applications for each stage.

The process involves two linked parts:

Your sponsor provides required details to Home Affairs as part of the application. You can’t proceed without an eligible sponsor.

You lodge the application through ImmiAccount, the Department of Home Affairs’ online system. Create an account if you don’t have one.

Before starting, review the official instructions for the Partner visa (subclasses 309/100) from Home Affairs. Follow the eligibility category that matches your situation.

This offshore process is different from the Partner Visa (onshore) (subclasses 820/801), which is for applicants inside Australia. If you hold a Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300), you’ll follow a different pathway after marriage.

Other family visas—such as the Parent Visa (subclass 103), Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 143), or Child Visa (offshore) (subclass 101)—have their own criteria and forms.

Stage 2: Applicant documents and lodgement

You complete the required visa form and upload supporting documents through ImmiAccount. For offshore partner applicants, this means Form Form 47SP.

You must:

1. Download the current partner 309/100 form and instructions from Home Affairs.

2. Complete all required sections.

3. Sign where required.

4. Attach supporting evidence.

5. Submit the combined application online.

Incomplete forms delay assessment. Answer every mandatory field marked with an asterisk in ImmiAccount.

Use this checklist before you submit:

• ✅ All required fields completed
• ✅ Form 47SP correctly filled out
• ✅ Supporting documents attached
• ✅ Application signed
• ✅ Application submitted through ImmiAccount

Home Affairs assesses the temporary stage first. If you meet the requirements, you may later be considered for subclass 100 without lodging a new application.

ImmiAccount, forms and instructions

You manage your entire subclass 309/100 application through ImmiAccount. This system handles:

• Application submission
• Document uploads
• Messages from Home Affairs
• Status updates

Log in with your username and password. If you lose access, use the recovery options in the system.

Create an ImmiAccount if you haven’t already. The system requires you to complete all mandatory fields before submission.

Always use the latest version of the partner 309/100 form and instructions from the Department of Home Affairs. Requirements can change.

If you need current fees in AUD (A$) or processing details, use the online fee calculator provided by Home Affairs. Only the Department of Home Affairs processes partner visa applications.

You must meet strict relationship, sponsor, and location rules before you lodge an offshore Partner visa application. Home Affairs assesses your eligibility based on your relationship status, your sponsor’s citizenship or residency, and where you are when you apply.

Relationship and sponsor criteria

You qualify only if you are in a genuine relationship with a person who is:

• An Australian citizen
• An Australian permanent resident
• An eligible New Zealand citizen

Your relationship must be with your spouse or de facto partner. Home Affairs will assess whether the relationship is real and ongoing.

The offshore pathway usually begins with the Subclass 309 Partner (Provisional) visa, which allows you to live in Australia temporarily as the partner of an eligible sponsor.

Your sponsor’s status is critical. If your partner doesn’t hold one of the statuses above, you won’t meet the basic criteria for this visa.

This visa is different from:

Other family visas, such as the Parent Visa (subclass 103), Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 143), and Child Visa (offshore) (subclass 101), have separate eligibility rules and aren’t for partners.

Location and timing rules

You must be outside Australia when you apply for the Subclass 309 Partner (Provisional) visa.

Home Affairs won’t accept an offshore partner application if you’re in Australia at lodgement. If you’re already in Australia, consider the Partner Visa (subclasses 820/801) instead.

Timing affects which visa you choose. For example:

1. If you’re already married or in a de facto relationship, apply for the Subclass 309 visa offshore.

2. If you’re engaged but not yet married, you may need the Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300) instead.

Your relationship status must match the visa subclass at the time you apply. Submitting the wrong visa type may delay your case or lead to refusal.

The Department of Home Affairs manages all partner visa applications. The Australian Border Force handles border entry, not visa decisions.

Relationship details to provide

You must provide detailed information about your relationship when you lodge your application with Home Affairs. This is done through Form Form 47SP and supporting documents.

You need to clearly describe:

• How and when you met
• The development of your relationship
• Your current relationship status
• Your partner’s citizenship or residency status

Your evidence must show that your relationship is genuine. Home Affairs focuses on whether you are in a real spousal or de facto partnership, not just formal status.

Prepare clear and consistent information in your application. Incomplete or inconsistent relationship details can lead to delays or further requests from Home Affairs.