Offshore Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100)
The offshore partner visa subclass 309/100 is a two-stage visa process for people who are in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen and are currently OUTSIDE AUSTRALIA when they apply.
Apply From Overseas
Lodge your application while outside Australia and join your partner
Full Work Rights
Work and study in Australia without restrictions once granted
Medicare Access
Access Australia’s public healthcare system with your visa
Travel Multiple Times
Travel in and out of Australia multiple times before visa expiry
Include Family
Add dependent children to your application
Path to Citizenship
Pathway to permanent residency and Australian citizenship
Two-Stage Visa Process
One application, two stages – both applied for simultaneously with a single fee
1 Subclass 309 (Provisional)
The first stage grants you temporary residence in Australia while your relationship is assessed.
- ✓ Travel to Australia and live here
- ✓ Work and study without restrictions
- ✓ Access Medicare healthcare
- ✓ Travel multiple times
2 Subclass 100 (Permanent)
The second stage grants you permanent residency, assessed approximately two years after your initial application.
- ✓ Live permanently in Australia
- ✓ Sponsor eligible relatives
- ✓ Apply for citizenship
- ✓ 5-year travel facility
Eligibility Requirements
Key requirements you must meet to qualify for the offshore partner visa
Relationship Requirements
Be married to or in a de facto relationship with your sponsor
Your relationship must be genuine and continuing
Mutual commitment to a shared life together
12 months cohabitation for de facto couples (exemptions apply)
Sponsor Requirements
Australian citizen, PR, or eligible New Zealand citizen
Sponsor must be 18 years or older
Maximum 2 sponsorships in lifetime
Minimum 5-year gap between sponsorships
Location Requirements
MUST be outside Australia when you apply
Must be outside Australia when 309 is granted
Can be in or outside Australia when 100 is decided
Health & Character Requirements
Meet Australian health standards through approved physicians
From all countries lived in for 12+ months since age 16
Meet Australian character requirements
Required Documents
Comprehensive evidence across four key relationship categories
💰 Financial Aspects
- Joint bank account statements (12+ months)
- Joint ownership or rental agreements
- Shared bills and expenses
- Joint loans or credit cards
- Evidence of financial support
- Joint investments or superannuation
🏠 Nature of Household
- Joint lease or property ownership
- Shared household bills
- Joint household responsibility
- Photos of shared residence
- Evidence of living together
- Mail addressed to both partners
👥 Social Aspects
- Joint social activities
- Joint club memberships
- Evidence of joint travel
- Social media evidence
- Photos with family and friends
- Community participation
💕 Nature of Commitment
- Marriage certificate (if married)
- Statutory declarations (Form 888)
- Knowledge of each other
- Future plans together
- Long-term commitment evidence
- Communication records
Processing Time & Visa Cost
⏰ Processing Times
- 📋 Subclass 309: 15-29 months
- ✅ Subclass 100: ~2 years after 309
- ⚡ Combined grant: If 3+ years together
Processing times vary by location and case complexity
💵 Government Fees
- 💰 Visa fee: AUD $9,365
- ✓ Covers both 309 and 100 stages
- 👶 Additional fees for dependents
Why Choose VisaTasker?
Expert offshore partner visa services with proven results
100% Success Rate
Perfect track record for all offshore partner visa applications
No Win, No Fee
If visa not granted due to our error, you don’t pay
MARA Registered
Registered migration agents (MARN 2318017)
International Experience
Assisted couples from 50+ countries successfully
Fast Response
Timely updates throughout the process
Tailored Approach
Customized strategy for your unique situation
Transparent Pricing
Clear, upfront pricing with no hidden costs
Government Fee
Paid to Department of Home Affairs
- Covers both 309 & 100 stages
- Single payment required
- Additional fees for dependents
- Non-refundable
Our Professional Service
Based on case complexity
- Initial consultation & assessment
- Complete application preparation
- Document review & guidance
- Form completion & lodgement
- Ongoing case management
- DHA communication handling
- Stage 2 (100) assistance included
- 100% success guarantee
Application Process
Step-by-step journey from overseas to permanent residency
Initial Consultation
Comprehensive eligibility assessment and strategy development
Evidence Collection
Detailed checklist and guidance for gathering relationship evidence
Document Preparation
Review, translate, and certify all documents professionally
Application Lodgement
Lodge complete 309/100 application through ImmiAccount
Health & Character Checks
Complete medical exams and police clearances
Case Management
Monitor progress and respond to DHA requests
Subclass 309 Grant
Provisional partner visa granted – you can now move to Australia!
Life in Australia
Settle in Australia and maintain your relationship
Stage 2 Assessment
Provide updated relationship evidence for 100 assessment
Subclass 100 Grant
Permanent residency granted – congratulations!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What’s the difference between offshore (309/100) and onshore (820/801) partner visa?
The main difference is your location when you apply:
Offshore Partner Visa (309/100):
- You MUST be outside Australia when you apply
- You must be outside Australia when the 309 is granted
- Generally slightly longer processing times (15-29 months)
- Cannot switch to onshore visa after lodging
Onshore Partner Visa (820/801):
- You must be INSIDE Australia when you apply
- Receive bridging visa with work rights while waiting
- Must be in Australia when the 820 is granted
- Processing times: 3-18 months
2. How long does the Partner Visa 309/100 take to process?
Processing times vary by location and individual circumstances:
Subclass 309 (Provisional):
- 15-29 months on average globally
- Some locations are faster (Singapore, UK: 12-18 months)
- Some locations are slower (India, Philippines, China: 24-36 months)
Subclass 100 (Permanent):
- Assessed approximately 2 years after initial 309/100 application
- Can be granted sooner if eligible for combined grant (3+ year relationship or 2+ years with child)
3. Can I visit Australia while my offshore partner visa 309/100 is being processed?
Yes, you can visit Australia on a visitor visa (subclass 600 or 651) while your partner visa application is being processed.
Important considerations:
- You must disclose your pending partner visa application when applying for visitor visa
- Visitor visas have “no further stay” conditions
- You must leave Australia before your visitor visa expires
- You cannot be in Australia when your 309 visa is granted
- Multiple visits are generally permitted
4. Do I need to apply separately for the subclass 100 visa after receiving the 309?
No separate application is required, and NO additional visa fee is charged. When you lodge your offshore partner visa application, you apply for both subclass 309 and 100 simultaneously and pay a single application fee.
The process:
- Lodge combined 309/100 application and pay $9,365
- Wait for Department to assess your 309 application (15-29 months)
- Receive subclass 309 visa grant (provisional)
- Approximately 2 years after initial application, Department assesses 100 eligibility
- You’ll be contacted to provide updated relationship evidence
- No new application form or fee required
- Subclass 100 (permanent) visa granted
5. What happens if we break up after I receive the 309 visa but before the 100 is granted?
Generally, you must still be in a genuine and continuing relationship with your sponsor at the time of your subclass 100 assessment. However, there are important exceptions:
You may still qualify for the 100 visa if:
- Family Violence: You or a family member suffered family violence from your partner or their family member
- Death of Sponsor: Your partner (sponsor) has died
- Shared Parenting: Your relationship ended, but you have ongoing parenting responsibility for a child under 18 who is a child of both you and your partner
Offshore vs Onshore Partner Visa
| Aspect | Offshore (309/100) | Onshore (820/801) |
|---|---|---|
| Location When Applying | Must be outside Australia | Must be inside Australia |
| Processing Time | 15-29 months (Stage 1) | 3-18 months (Stage 1) |
| Bridging Visa | No bridging visa | Bridging Visa A with work rights |
| Location When Granted | Must be outside Australia | Must be inside Australia |
| Application Fee | $9,365 | $9,365 |
| Visa Stages | 309 (Provisional) → 100 (Permanent) | 820 (Temporary) → 801 (Permanent) |
Ready to Start Your Offshore Partner Visa Journey?
Our experienced migration agents are here to guide you every step of the way with our 100% success record and no win, no fee guarantee.
Book Your ConsultationRelated Partner Visa Options
Explore our other partner visa resources to find the right pathway for your situation:
- Partner Visa Australia — Complete Guide — Comprehensive overview of all Australian partner visa options
- Onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801) — For applicants currently in Australia
Not sure which partner visa pathway is right for you? Contact VisaTasker for a personalised consultation with our MARA-registered migration agents.
📋 Free Document Checklist
Get the complete list of documents you need for your application — updated for 2026.
View Partner Visa 309/100 Document Checklist →
Reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services
MARA Registered Migration Agent · MARN 2318017
This page is written and reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services, a MARA-registered migration agency based in Australia. As registered agents, we are bound by the Migration Agents Code of Conduct and required to provide accurate, up-to-date advice based on Australian migration legislation. Information is reviewed against the latest Department of Home Affairs policy.