Partner Visa Pathway to PR

PR Through Your Australian Partner — A Complete Guide

If your spouse or de facto partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, they can sponsor you for a partner visa — a two-stage process that leads to permanent residency.

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How does the Australian partner visa lead to permanent residency?

The partner visa is a two-stage pathway. Onshore: apply for Subclass 820 (provisional), then Subclass 801 (permanent) approximately 2 years later. Offshore: apply for Subclass 309 (provisional), then Subclass 100 (permanent). Both stages require genuine relationship evidence. The permanent stage is typically granted 2 years after the provisional, though long-term relationships may qualify for direct grant.

Last reviewed: May 2026 ✓ Reviewed by a MARA-registered migration agent (MARA 0852408)

Two Pathways

Onshore vs Offshore — Which Partner Visa Pathway?

The pathway you take depends on where you are when you apply — inside or outside Australia.

Onshore: 820 → 801

Applied from inside Australia. The Subclass 820 (temporary) is granted first, allowing you to remain in Australia while your relationship is assessed further. After approximately 2 years, the Subclass 801 permanent visa is granted — provided the relationship is genuine and ongoing.

Must be in Australia820 granted first801 PR after ~2 years

Explore 820 → 801 →

Offshore: 309 → 100

Applied from outside Australia. The Subclass 309 (provisional) is granted after processing, allowing travel to Australia. After the qualifying period — usually 2 years from initial application — the Subclass 100 permanent partner visa is granted.

Applied from overseas309 provisional first100 PR after qualifying period

Explore 309 → 100 →

How It Works

How the partner visa pathway to PR works

Partner migration is a two-stage process. You are first granted a temporary visa, then — usually around two years later — assessed for the permanent visa, with the relationship tested at each stage.

Confirm the sponsor and relationship

Your partner must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, and willing to sponsor you. You must be in a genuine, ongoing spouse or de facto relationship.

Lodge the combined application

Onshore you apply for the 820 (temporary) and 801 (permanent) together; offshore it is the 309 and 100. You provide evidence of the relationship across financial, social, household and commitment aspects.

Temporary visa granted

The temporary visa (820 or 309) lets you live and work in Australia and access Medicare while the permanent stage is assessed.

Permanent visa assessed

Generally around two years after lodgement, the Department assesses the permanent visa (801 or 100). You update your relationship evidence; if the relationship is genuine and continuing, permanent residency follows.

Onshore or Offshore

820/801, 309/100 and the 300

Which subclass you use depends on where you are when you apply.

Onshore — 820 then 801

Applied for while you are in Australia. The 820 is the temporary stage; the 801 is the permanent stage assessed later.

Offshore — 309 then 100

Applied for while you are outside Australia. The 309 is the temporary (provisional) stage; the 100 is the permanent stage.

Prospective Marriage — 300

For fiancé(e)s who intend to marry an Australian sponsor. It leads into the onshore partner process once you are married.

Work and Medicare from stage one

You generally gain work rights and access to Medicare from the temporary stage, not only once permanent residency is granted.

Costs & Timeline

What it costs and how long it takes

Every permanent visa carries a Department of Home Affairs Visa Application Charge, and most pathways also involve costs for a skills assessment, an English test, health examinations and police certificates. These government and third-party charges are set by the relevant authorities and change periodically, so we confirm the current figures with you rather than quote a number that may date. Visa Advisor's professional fees are quoted separately and upfront before you engage us. The fastest way to get figures specific to your situation is the free eligibility check, or a paid consultation if you want a full written plan.

Partner visas are decided on the strength and consistency of your relationship evidence. The permanent stage is typically assessed around two years after you lodge, so a well-organised, well-documented application from the start is what keeps the process moving.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions we hear most often. Every case is different — book a consultation for advice on yours.

An Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen can sponsor a spouse or de facto partner. There are limits on how often and how recently a person can sponsor, which we check before lodging.

No. The partner visa covers both married spouses and de facto partners in a genuine, ongoing relationship. De facto applicants usually need to show the relationship has existed for a qualifying period or register it where that is available.

It depends on where you are and your circumstances. Onshore (820/801) lets you stay in Australia during processing; offshore (309/100) is lodged from outside Australia. Each has practical trade-offs around travel and work rights that we weigh up with you.

The permanent stage (801 or 100) is generally assessed around two years after you lodge the combined application. Some long-term relationships can be granted permanent residency sooner. The temporary visa keeps you lawful and working in the meantime.

Yes. The temporary partner visa (820 or 309) generally gives you work rights and access to Medicare while the permanent stage is being decided.

You need to show the relationship is genuine and continuing across four areas: financial aspects, the nature of your household, the social aspects of the relationship, and the nature of your commitment to each other. Consistent, dated evidence over time is far stronger than a last-minute bundle.

Separation can affect the permanent stage, but there are limited exceptions — for example, family violence provisions, or where there is a child of the relationship. These situations are sensitive and case-specific; speak to us before taking any step.

Yes. Dependent children can usually be included in the partner application, subject to health and character requirements and the consent of any other parent where required.

Keep exploring

Related guides in our permanent residency cluster — follow the route that fits your situation.

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