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Offshore eligibility and genuine relationship assessment.
Back to Services Partner
Partner
Visa (Subclass 309/100)
Live permanently in Australia with your partner. The Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100) is the offshore relationship pathway for eligible spouses and de facto partners — apply from outside Australia and progress from temporary partner status to permanent residency.
Our Australian registered migration agents assist with offshore eligibility assessments, sponsorship requirements, genuine relationship evidence, and complete Partner Visa applications for couples in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Middle East, and worldwide.
Prefer to talk first? +61 414 996 546·info@realmigration.com.au
Partner
Relationship
Subclass 309/100
Evidence
Partner Visa
(Subclass 309/100) Overview
The Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100) allows eligible couples to apply from outside Australia through a two-stage offshore pathway: Subclass 309 (temporary partner visa) followed by Subclass 100 (permanent partner visa). This is the offshore counterpart to the onshore 820/801 pathway. Successful applicants may enter Australia on the temporary visa, work subject to conditions, access Medicare where eligible, and progress to permanent residency and Australian citizenship.
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Eligibility Criteria for Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100)
The Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100) is the offshore partner pathway for eligible spouses or de facto partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. Applicants must be in a genuine and continuing relationship and satisfy all legislative requirements.
- - Be in a genuine and continuing relationship with an eligible sponsor.
- - Meet offshore lodgement requirements under the standard 309/100 pathway.
- - Eligible relationship types may include marriage, de facto relationships, or registered relationships.
- - Long-distance and cross-cultural relationships may qualify with strong evidence across all factors.
- - Same-sex couples and prospective marriage transitions may be eligible where criteria are met.
- - Meet health and character requirements at key decision points.
Application process
Application process for Subclass 309/100
Real Migration manages Subclass 309/100 with offshore relationship diagnostics, evidence architecture across all statutory factors, lodgement planning, and permanent-stage readiness controls.
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Sponsor eligibility and sponsorship limitation review.
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Relationship evidence preparation across all statutory factors.
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Form and declaration drafting for applicant and sponsor.
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Lodge Subclass 309 application offshore.
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Manage Department processing and information requests.
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Enter Australia on Subclass 309 where granted.
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Subclass 100 permanent stage assessment and grant planning.
Offshore Lodgement
Temporary Visa (309)
Relationship Continuity
Permanent Stage (100)
Health & Character
Planning and compliance
Offshore Partner Visa Planning and Compliance
Plan timelines, costs, relationship evidence depth, travel strategy, and 309 to 100 progression before offshore lodgement.
Indicative Timeline Module
- Pre-lodgement: offshore fit check, sponsor review, and evidence architecture.
- Lodgement: offshore Subclass 309 filing and Department queue placement.
- Temporary stage: Subclass 309 grant and entry to Australia where eligible.
- Permanent stage: Subclass 100 assessment approximately two years after lodgement.
- Decision: permanent residency and long-term settlement planning.
Cost Planning Module
Subclass 309/100 involves government visa application charges for both temporary and permanent stages, health examinations, police certificates, biometrics, document translations, statutory declarations, and professional migration assistance. We map expected costs across both offshore stages before lodgement.
Request a Cost EstimateCompliance Guidance Module
Offshore partner visa cases require relationship evidence consistency, sponsor obligation compliance, Department communication, travel strategy alignment, and ongoing evidence updates through the 309 to 100 progression. We support married couples, de facto couples, long-distance relationships, same-sex couples, and complex offshore applications.
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Why Clients Trust Our Offshore Partner Visa Services
Offshore partner specialists
309/100
Offshore partner delivery model
Application review stages
10+
Evidence quality checkpoints
Compliance checkpoints
8
Structured case milestones
Migration compliance aligned
AU
Gov source aligned strategy
Documents
Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100) Checklist
- Passports and identity documents for applicant and sponsor
- Marriage certificate, registered relationship evidence, or de facto relationship records
- Joint financial documents such as bank accounts, leases, mortgages, and shared bills
- Household and cohabitation evidence where applicable
- Photos, travel history, and social recognition evidence
- Communication records including messages, call logs, and video calls where appropriate
- Statutory declarations from family and friends
- Insurance, superannuation nominations, wills, and emergency contact records
- Children's birth certificates and custody documents where relevant
- Health examination results and police clearances
Risk review
Common Refusal Risks for Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100) Applications
- Insufficient relationship evidence across statutory factors.
- Inconsistent statements between applicant, sponsor, and witnesses.
- Weak communication history for long-distance relationships.
- Ineligible sponsor or prior sponsorship limitations not addressed.
- Health concerns not adequately addressed.
- Character concerns or incomplete police clearances.
- Incomplete documentation at offshore lodgement.
- False or misleading information in forms or declarations.
Our approach
Our Process: How We Assist With Offshore Partner Visa Applications
01. Relationship pathway fit
Onshore strategy, chronology, and legal criteria reviewed first.
02. Evidence architecture
Relationship, identity, and sponsorship records aligned for consistency.
03. Lodgement quality gate
Forms and support files checked against refusal-risk points before filing.
04. Decision and next stage
Request handling plus pathway planning through temporary and permanent grant stages.
Need quick action? Start your Subclass 309/100 process now.
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Contact UsFAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100)
What is the difference between the 309 and 100 visas?
Subclass 309 is generally the temporary offshore partner visa stage. Subclass 100 is the permanent partner visa stage assessed later when eligibility and relationship continuity requirements are met.
Can I visit Australia while waiting for my 309 visa?
Visiting on another visa such as a Visitor Visa while a 309 is processing requires careful strategy. Implications for offshore processing and future grants should be assessed individually.
Can I apply from Pakistan for a Partner Visa?
Yes. Offshore partner visa applications may be lodged from Pakistan and many other countries when eligibility and evidence requirements are met.
Do I need to be married for a Partner Visa?
No. Eligible de facto or registered relationships may qualify when evidence requirements are met, including cohabitation or applicable exceptions.
Can de facto couples apply offshore?
Yes. De facto partners may apply for Subclass 309/100 when they meet relationship duration and evidence requirements under current law.
How much relationship evidence is enough?
Evidence should be balanced across financial, social, household, and commitment factors with depth and consistency — not just volume in one category.
Can I include my children in the application?
Yes. Eligible dependent children may generally be included subject to health, character, and custody requirements.
Can my sponsor live overseas?
Sponsors are generally required to be settled in Australia. Offshore sponsor settings are limited and should be confirmed against current legislative requirements.
How long after the 309 visa is the 100 visa granted?
The permanent stage is generally assessed approximately two years after lodgement, subject to relationship continuity and eligibility at that time.
Can I work after entering Australia on a 309 visa?
Subclass 309 generally includes work rights, subject to visa conditions at grant. Confirm conditions on your visa grant notice.
Can same-sex couples apply?
Yes. Same-sex couples may apply for partner visas when they meet the same eligibility and evidence requirements.
Can a registered migration agent assist with my offshore Partner Visa?
Yes. A registered migration agent can assess eligibility, prepare relationship evidence, manage sponsorship, and handle the entire offshore application process.
Top trending Subclass 309/100 questions
Can I apply for a 309 visa without meeting in person recently?
Physical meetings strengthen offshore cases, but long-distance relationships may still qualify with strong communication, travel, and social evidence. Strategy should be assessed case by case.
How many WhatsApp messages should I submit?
There is no fixed number. Submit representative samples that show relationship continuity over time alongside evidence from other statutory factors.
Are screenshots accepted as relationship evidence?
Yes, where screenshots are clear, authentic, and support the relationship chronology. They work best as part of a broader balanced evidence set.
Can I travel to Australia on a Visitor Visa while my 309 is processing?
This is possible in some cases but requires careful planning. Visitor visa conditions and offshore partner visa strategy should be reviewed before travel.
Can I upload additional evidence after lodgement?
Yes. Many offshore cases require ongoing evidence updates during processing, especially for staged assessment toward the permanent stage.
Is a wedding compulsory for a Partner Visa?
No. Marriage is one pathway. Eligible de facto and registered relationships may also qualify with appropriate evidence.
What happens if we have a baby while waiting for the 100 visa?
A child can affect evidence and inclusion strategy. Birth certificates and updated relationship records should be provided promptly with migration advice.
What if my application is refused?
Refusal does not always end options. Review rights, reapplication strategy, or merits review may be available depending on the decision notice.
Is an interview always required?
Not always, but interviews may be requested. Preparation should cover relationship history, evidence consistency, and sponsor details.
What is the difference between Partner Visa 309/100 and 820/801?
Subclass 309/100 is the offshore pathway lodged from outside Australia. Subclass 820/801 is the onshore pathway lodged while in Australia.
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Ready to start your Subclass 309/100 strategy?
Book a consultation with Real Migration for relationship-pathway review, evidence preparation, and compliant partner visa lodgement. Call +61 414 996 546 or email info@realmigration.com.au.