309 Partner Visa

Thinking of joining your partner in Australia?

If you’re in a committed relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and currently living outside of Australia, the 309 Partner Visa could be your first step towards a future together in Australia.

The Skylark team has over 57+ combined years of experience helping individuals navigate the migration process. Since 2015, we’ve proudly maintained a 98.9% success rate for 309 visas. Based in Melbourne, we’ve assisted customers from over 106 countries and counting. If you’re ready to take the first step in your 309 Partner Visa journey, get in touch with us today!

Obligation-free, limited sessions each week

What is a 309 Partner Visa?

The 309 Partner Visa (Subclass 309) is a temporary visa that allows you to live, work and study in Australia while your permanent Partner Visa (Subclass 100) is being processed.

To be eligible, you’ll need to be the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.

The 309 Visa is for applicants who are outside Australia at the time of application (with the 820 being for applicants in Australia.) This is why it’s sometimes referred to as the “offshore partner visa”.

What a 309 Partner Visa in Australia Does

When you apply for a 309 Partner Visa, you are also applying for the permanent 100 Partner Visa at the same time.

You’ll first be granted the temporary 309 visa. Once approved, you’ll be able to enter Australia and:

Travel to and from Australia as many times as you like

Take part in free English language classes through the Adult Migrant English Program, if eligible

Access Australia’s public health care system, Medicare

After two years, you may become eligible for the permanent 100 visa. If you’ve already been married or in a de facto relationship for three or more years (or two years with a child), you may be granted the permanent 100 visa at the same time as your 309 visa.

Once the permanent visa is granted, you’ll have the right to live and work in Australia indefinitely.

What is the Processing Time for 309 Partner Visas?

According to the Department of Home Affairs (as of January 2023), average processing times are:

25% of applications:

processed in: 5 months

50% of applications:

processed in: 10 months

75% of applications:

processed in: 16 months

90% of applications:

processed in: 36 months

These figures are averages. Some applications may take longer, especially if further information or documents are required.

Since 2015, we’ve helped thousands of couples reunite faster than the average. Many of our clients get their visa decisions well ahead of official timeframes.

What Are the Partner Visa 309 Requirements in Australia?

To apply for the 309 Visa, you must meet the following conditions:

  • You must be outside Australia when applying
  • Your partner must be an eligible Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
  • You must show that your relationship is genuine, supported by evidence across four key areas
  • You must have lived together for at least 12 months as a de facto couple, unless you’re married. Some states (such as QLD, ACT, NSW, SA or VIC) allow you to bypass the 12-month rule by registering your relationship
  • You must complete the health assessment (this could include a chest x-ray or HIV test)
  • You must provide police checks for each country you’ve lived in for at least 12 months in the past 10 years

Our Partner Visa Application Process

Free 1:1 consultation

Talk to a partner visa expert who will review your situation and answer any questions

Eligibility assessment

After a small deposit, we’ll complete a full eligibility assessment before you commit

Let’s get started

Once we receive your signed agreement and deposit, we’ll begin

Personalised document checklist

We’ll provide a tailored 309 Visa checklist to help you gather the strongest documents

Guidance and support

We’ll be here to provide advice and recommendations as you prepare your paperwork

We complete your application

No DIY forms. Our experts will handle the paperwork for you

Quality check before submission

We make sure your application is strong before submitting to Immigration

Ongoing updates

We’ll keep you informed and follow up with Immigration until your visa is granted

Why Choose Us as Your 309 Partner Visa Agent?

When it comes to your Partner Visa application, trust Skylark’s expert team to guide you every step of the way. Here’s why:

Not sure where to start?

Book a free consultation with our migration experts, and we’ll help you understand your options and next steps.

Frequently asked questions

Can I work in Australia on a 309 visa?

Yes, this visa lets you work while you live in Australia.

You can move to Australia and live with your partner while waiting for your permanent Partner visa (subclass 100) to be processed. This usually starts two years after you applied for the 309 visa.

If your relationship ends before your 100 visa is approved, you may still be able to stay in some cases, such as if you’ve experienced family violence.

Get your free Partner visa pack

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Our senior migration consultants are experienced with all types of Australian visas
We have two options:
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What is included:

1) 30min in-depth consultation

2) 1-to-1 strategic planning session to get you from HERE to your migration goals

3) Step-by-step recommendations by our most experienced migration agents and PR planning specialists

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Our senior migration consultants are experienced with all types of Australian visas