Australia values the importance of genuine and lasting relationships. If you are in a relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, the Partner Visa stream allows you to live in Australia with your partner and eventually apply for permanent residency. Whether you’re married, in a de facto relationship, or engaged, the Australian Partner Visa program is designed to keep couples together while offering a clear pathway to settlement and citizenship.
At ACM Global, we understand how emotional and personal the journey can be. Our team of migration professionals is here to guide you through every stage of the Partner Visa process, ensuring your application meets all legal requirements and clearly reflects the genuine nature of your relationship.
Australia offers different Partner Visa subclasses, depending on whether the applicant is onshore (in Australia) or offshore (outside Australia) at the time of application. Each pathway offers a two-stage process: temporary residency followed by permanent residency.
Onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801)
The Subclass 820/801 visa is for applicants who are already in Australia on a valid visa and wish to remain with their Australian partner. When you apply, you will be granted the temporary visa (820) first, which allows you to stay in Australia while your permanent visa (801) is being processed.
After two years, if the relationship is ongoing and genuine, you can proceed to the permanent residency stage. This pathway is suitable for married or de facto couples who can provide substantial evidence of their ongoing commitment.
Offshore Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100)
The Subclass 309/100 visa is for applicants who are outside Australia when lodging their application. Similar to the onshore visa, this also involves a two-stage process: a temporary Partner visa (Subclass 309), followed by a permanent Partner visa (Subclass 100).
Once the Subclass 309 visa is granted, the applicant can move to Australia and live with their partner. After two years and upon satisfying relationship continuity requirements, the applicant becomes eligible for permanent residency through the Subclass 100 visa.
Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300)
If you are engaged to an Australian citizen or permanent resident, the Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) allows you to enter Australia to get married within 9 months of the visa being granted. After marriage, you can then apply for the onshore Partner visa (Subclass 820/801) and begin your pathway to permanent residency.
This visa is ideal for couples planning to begin their life together in Australia and is also commonly referred to as the fiancé visa.
Eligibility Requirements for Partner Visas
To be eligible for a Partner Visa in Australia, both the applicant and the sponsoring partner must meet several important criteria. These include:
The relationship must be genuine, exclusive, and ongoing
You must be married or in a de facto relationship (living together for at least 12 months unless registered)
The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen
You must meet health and character requirements
The sponsor must not have sponsored another partner in the past 5 years (with limited exceptions)
Proper documentation and clear relationship evidence are critical for a successful application. This includes joint financial commitments, shared living arrangements, social recognition of the relationship, and communication history.
At ACM Global, we provide compassionate, comprehensive, and professional support throughout your Partner Visa application. Whether you’re applying from within Australia or overseas, we ensure your relationship story is told clearly and compellingly, increasing your chances of success.
Our services include:
Free eligibility consultation and case assessment
Advice on the best visa subclass based on your situation
Complete preparation of your application and relationship evidence
Drafting of personal statements and sponsor letters
Assistance with registering a de facto relationship (if needed)
Ongoing support through both temporary and permanent visa stages
We understand the emotional weight of being separated from your loved one. That’s why we’re committed to handling your case with genuine care, legal precision, and a personal touch.