Partner Visas
Partner visas facilitate entry into and/or the right to remain in Australia if you are married to, or in a de facto relationship with an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen and are sponsored by their spouse or de facto partner for a visa.
The partner visa consists of two steps:
Onshore partner visas (inside Australia)
Relationship register for Partners
Although not determinative that a domestic relationship or de facto relationship exists, some states and territories of Australia have introduced a Relationship Register which will allow unmarried couples to register their relationship thereby allowing the couples access to legal entitlements and to prove they are in a committed or de facto relationship. The Register is run by the Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages.
The Relationship Register can register a relationships regardless of the parties’ gender — including same-sex relationships. One party, however, must reside in the particular state of registration at the time of registration.
Registration is available in NSW, QLD, Victoria, the ACT and Tasmania. Unfortunately, Western Australia, South Australia and Northern Territory the relationship registration is not available.
Partner Visas Options - Flowchart
Partner visas facilitate entry into and/or the right to remain in Australia if you are married to, or in a de facto relationship with an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen and are sponsored by their spouse or de facto partner for a visa.
The partner visa consists of two steps:
- Step 1: Temporary visa;
- Step 2: Permanent Residence visa - generally you can apply for this step after 2 years after the lodgement of step 1.
Onshore partner visas (inside Australia)
- Partner visa (subclass 820/801) - This visa is for you if you are currently in Australia. Click here to view our onshore partner visas timeline.
- Partner visa (subclass 309/100) - This visa is for you if you are currently outside Australia.
- Prospective Marriage visas - Individuals who are engaged to be married to an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen may apply for a subclass 300 Prospective Marriage visa. Subclass 300 visa applicants must be offshore at the time of the application and decision. Once the visa is granted, the visa holder has 9 months to marry an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen who sponsored the individual for a visa.
Relationship register for Partners
Although not determinative that a domestic relationship or de facto relationship exists, some states and territories of Australia have introduced a Relationship Register which will allow unmarried couples to register their relationship thereby allowing the couples access to legal entitlements and to prove they are in a committed or de facto relationship. The Register is run by the Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages.
The Relationship Register can register a relationships regardless of the parties’ gender — including same-sex relationships. One party, however, must reside in the particular state of registration at the time of registration.
Registration is available in NSW, QLD, Victoria, the ACT and Tasmania. Unfortunately, Western Australia, South Australia and Northern Territory the relationship registration is not available.
Partner Visas Options - Flowchart
Onshore Partner Visa - TIMELINE
