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Partner Visas

Australia’s Partner visa program allows spouses and de facto partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens to live together in Australia. Available through both onshore and offshore pathways, these visas provide a two-stage process leading to permanent residency.

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Partner visa applications require strong evidence of a genuine and continuing relationship and are subject to strict assessment. Our team provides strategic guidance to ensure your application is thorough, well-prepared, and positioned for success.

Partner Visa – Subclass 820 / 801 (Onshore)

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Two-stage onshore partner visa for spouses or de facto partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. Applicants must be in a genuine and continuing relationship.

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Key Features:

  • Temporary visa (820) leading to permanent residency (801)

  • Full work and study rights

  • Medicare access after lodgement

  • Applies to married and de facto couples (including same-sex relationships)

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Eligibility:

  • Sponsor must be an eligible Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen

  • Applicant must be in Australia at time of application (820 stage)

  • Genuine and continuing relationship

  • De facto couples generally require 12 months of evidence (unless exempt)

  • Health and character requirements

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Application Process:

  • Combined 820/801 application lodged onshore

  • Temporary visa assessed first

  • Permanent stage assessed approximately two years after lodgement

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Important Considerations:

  • Evidence-heavy application

  • Strict scrutiny by the Department

  • Relationship must remain genuine for permanent stage

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How We Can Help:

  • Eligibility and risk assessment

  • Strategic advice on relationship evidence

  • Preparation and lodgement of applications

  • Ongoing Department representation through to permanent residency

Partner Visa – Subclass 309 / 100 (Offshore)

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Two-stage offshore partner visa for spouses or de facto partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens who are outside Australia at the time of application.

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Key Features:

  • Temporary visa (309) leading to permanent residency (100)

  • Full work rights once granted

  • Medicare access upon arrival in Australia

  • Applies to married and de facto couples (including same-sex relationships)

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Eligibility:

  • Sponsor must be an eligible Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen

  • Applicant must be outside Australia at time of application and decision (309 stage)

  • Genuine and continuing relationship

  • De facto couples generally require 12 months of evidence (unless exempt)

  • Health and character requirements

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Application Process:

  • Combined 309/100 application lodged offshore

  • Temporary visa assessed first

  • Permanent stage assessed approximately two years after lodgement

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Important Considerations:

  • Detailed relationship evidence required

  • Applications are highly scrutinised

  • Relationship must remain genuine for permanent stage

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How We Can Help:

  • Eligibility and compliance assessment

  • Strategic guidance on relationship documentation

  • Preparation and lodgement of applications

  • Management of Department requests

  • Ongoing representation through to permanent residency

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