Subclass 309/100 (Offshore Partner Visa) – Australia

The Subclass 309/100 Offshore Partner Visa allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia. It is a two-stage visa process that provides a pathway to permanent residency.

Visa Process

The application is processed in two steps:

1. Subclass 309 (Temporary Partner Visa) – Grants temporary residence, allowing the applicant to live in Australia while awaiting eligibility for permanent residency.
2. Subclass 100 (Permanent Partner Visa) – If the relationship remains genuine and ongoing after two years, the applicant can apply for permanent residency.

Eligibility Requirements

For the Applicant (Visa Holder):

• Must be in a genuine, ongoing relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
• Must be living outside Australia at the time of application and when the temporary visa (Subclass 309) is granted.
• Must meet health and character requirements (including medical exams and police checks).
• If in a de facto relationship, the couple must have been together for at least 12 months, unless their relationship is officially registered in Australia.                                                                                                                                    For the Sponsor (Partner):
  • Must agree to sponsor the applicant for at least two years.
  • Must meet character requirements, including police clearance.

  Must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.

  Key Benefits

  • Live, work, and study in Australia.
  • Access Medicare (Australia’s public healthcare system) once on a Subclass 309 visa.
  • Travel in and out of Australia freely while holding the temporary visa.
  • Pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 100 visa after two years.
  • Potential eligibility for Australian citizenship once permanent residency is granted and all conditions are met.
    

    Processing Time & Costs

    • Subclass 309 (Temporary Visa):

      • 50% of applications processed within 13 months.
      • 90% processed within 19 months.

    • Subclass 100 (Permanent Visa):

      • Eligible for application two years after submitting the initial visa request.
      • Processing typically takes 12 months.

    • Cost:

      • Starts from AUD 8,850 (additional charges may apply for dependents).

          Application Process

        1. Gather and submit required documents, including:
           • Identification documents (passport, birth certificate, national ID, etc.).
           • Proof of relationship (photos, joint bank accounts, shared finances, social evidence).
           • Police and medical checks.
        2. Apply for the Subclass 309 Visa while outside Australia.
        3. Await a decision on the temporary visa. If granted, the applicant can live, work, and study in Australia while their application for permanent residency is processed.
        4. After two years, provide updated evidence to apply for the Subclass 100 (Permanent Partner Visa).
        5. If approved, the applicant becomes a permanent resident of Australia.