Partner Visa 309: Your Pathway to Reunite with Your Spouse in Australia
The Subclass 309 visa allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia temporarily while their permanent Partner visa (subclass 100) is being processed.
Key Facts
Status
Temporary Residency
Healthcare
Access to Australia's public health system
Leads to
Subclass 100 (Permanent Partner Visa)
Live and Work
Permission to live and work in Australia
What is a Subclass 309 Visa?
This is a temporary visa. It lets you live in Australia with your partner while the Department of Home Affairs takes time to assess whether your relationship is genuine and whether you qualify for permanent residency.
You apply for both the Subclass 309 Visa (temporary) and Subclass 100 (permanent) at the same time, in one application. The 309 gets decided first. If granted, you move to Australia. Two years later, you are assessed for the permanent visa. It is the partner visa stage 1 of the partner visa australia offshore pathway.
With this visa you can:
- Live, work, and study in Australia
- Travel freely with unlimited entries
- Access Medicare
- Attend free English classes through Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)
- Clear pathway to Australian permanent residency
Important: You must be outside Australia when you apply for the provisional partner visa.
Eligibility Criteria Subclass 309 Visa
Eligibility depends on your current visa, your relationship status, and meeting standard requirements.
Married applicants must generally be at least 18 years old at the time of application, as Australian law requires a minimum age for marriage. Applicants in a de facto relationship must also be 18 or older when applying.
You and any family members included in your application must meet Australia’s health and character requirements. In some cases, health or character information may also be requested for family members who are not migrating with you.
Your immigration history is assessed as part of your Partner Visa application, and a previous visa cancellation or refusal may affect your eligibility. However, in some cases, you may still be able to apply depending on your individual circumstances.
- You are married to, or in a de facto relationship with, an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- You are outside Australia
- You are 18 or older
- Your partner is willing and able to sponsor you
You must have lived together for at least 12 months before applying. If you have not hit 12 months, you may still qualify if you have registered your relationship with an Australian state or territory, or if there are serious compassionate reasons.
- Your partner is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- You are outside Australia and want to relocate permanently
- You have evidence of a genuine and continuing relationship
- You meet health and character requirements
- Your partner is willing and eligible to sponsor you
Applicants aged 18 or over must read, or have explained to them, the Life in Australia booklet and sign an Australian Values Statement confirming their commitment to Australian laws and values.
If the application includes a person under 18, the visa may only be granted if it is considered to be in the child’s best interests.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for the Subclass 309 Visa
Understanding the application process from start to finish helps you prepare properly and avoid costly mistakes.
Step 1: Before You Apply
Before you begin, make sure you understand the requirements and gather information about your situation.
You can appoint someone to receive correspondence about your application. If you need immigration assistance, you can appoint a registered migration agent, or legal practitioner.
Review all eligibility requirements carefully. Consider whether you have any potential issues such as previous visa refusals, health conditions, or character concerns that need to be addressed.
For immigration purposes, police certificates are valid for 12 months from the issue date. Health examination results are also valid for 12 months. Consider current processing times when deciding when to complete these requirements.
Step 2: Prepare Your Documents
There are 3 parts of the Partner visa 309 checklist.
1. Show evidence of Relationship
How to submit evidence for subclass 309 visa is where most people underestimate the work involved. The Department needs to see that your relationship is real. Not just that you love each other—that you have built a life together.
- Joint bank account statements
- Property, lease, or loan documents in both names
- Bills, subscriptions, or insurance showing both names
- Evidence of financial support if one partner supports the other
- Proof you live at the same address (mail, bills, rental agreements)
- A written statement about how you share household duties
- Evidence of joint ownership of household items
- Two statutory declarations from people who know your relationship (Form 888)
- Photos of you together at different times and places
- Evidence of trips, events, or activities you have done together
- Proof that family and friends recognise you as a couple
- A written statement from you explaining your relationship history: how you met, when you became serious, when you moved in together, your plans for the future
- Evidence you know each other's families, backgrounds, personal details
- Wills, superannuation nominations, or emergency contacts naming each other
This is not a box-ticking exercise. The Department reads these applications looking for a real picture of two people who have genuinely committed to each other. Write your relationship statement like you are telling your story to someone who needs to understand it.
2. Collect Your Identity Documents
- Birth certificate showing both parents' names
- Current passport (the photo page and any pages with stamps or visas)
- National ID card if your country issues one
- Proof of any name changes (marriage certificate, deed poll, court order)
- Birth certificates
- Passports
- If the other parent is not coming to Australia, you need their written consent (Form 1229) plus a copy of their ID
- Court orders if there are custody arrangements
3. Prepare Health and Character Documents
Health: You will need to complete a medical examination with a Bupa Medical Visa Services panel doctor. Do not do this too early—results are valid for 12 months, and if your application takes longer, you may need to redo them.
- Australian Federal Police certificate if you have lived in Australia for 12 months or more in the past 10 years (must be the full disclosure National Police Certificate, not a standard check)
- Police certificates from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more since turning 16
- Completed Form 80 (Personal Particulars for Character Assessment)
Police certificates are valid for 12 months from issue. Plan accordingly.
Step 3: Applying for the Visa
You must apply online through ImmiAccount while outside Australia.
If you don't have an ImmiAccount, register at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. This is where you'll lodge and manage your application. Protect your account and passwords – don't share them with anyone.
Log into ImmiAccount and select "New application," then "Family," then "Stage 1 – Partner or Prospective Marriage Visa." Complete all sections of the application form carefully. The form will ask for your own phone number and email address – provide your own contact details in case the Department needs to contact you directly.
Pay the visa application charge in full. The Department cannot process your application without correct payment. Submit your application and save your Transaction Reference Number (TRN) – you'll need to give this to your sponsor.
Upload all supporting documents to your completed application. You can attach up to 100 documents for each person on your application. Attach each document only once, even if it supports multiple claims. Clearly label your documents and keep a copy of your completed application.
Give your TRN or application ID to your sponsor immediately. Your sponsor must apply to sponsor you as soon as possible after you lodge your visa application. Without approved sponsorship, your visa cannot be granted.
Step 4: Lodge Your Application Online
You must apply through ImmiAccount. There is no paper option.
- Create an ImmiAccount if you do not have one
- Select New Application → Family → Stage 1 – Partner or Prospective Marriage Visa
- Fill in every section carefully—mistakes here cause delays
- Pay the 309 visa fees (currently AUD 9,365 for the main applicant, plus additional charges for any family members)
- Submit and save your Transaction Reference Number (TRN)
Give the TRN to your partner immediately. They need it to lodge their sponsorship application.
Step 5: Upload Your Supporting Documents
After submitting, upload all your evidence to ImmiAccount. You can attach up to 100 documents per applicant.
- Translate everything that is not in English (use a NAATI-accredited translator in Australia, or a qualified translator overseas who includes their credentials on each translation)
- Scan in colour, make sure everything is legible
- Label files clearly so the case officer can find what they need
- Do not wait—upload documents as soon as your application is submitted
Step 6: Your Partner Lodges Sponsorship
After submitting, upload all your evidence to ImmiAccount. You can attach up to 100 documents per applicant.
Your partner applies separately to be approved as your sponsor. They use your TRN to link their sponsorship to your visa application.
Sponsorship is not automatic. The Department assesses whether your partner is eligible and whether there are any concerns (for example, if they have sponsored multiple partners before, or have relevant criminal history).
Your partner must remain your sponsor for the entire process. You cannot switch sponsors.
Step 7: Wait, But Stay Prepared
Processing times for the Subclass 309 vary. Some applications take months. Some take longer. The Department prioritises cases involving older applicants or urgent compassionate circumstances.
During this time:
- Check ImmiAccount regularly for requests
- Respond to any information requests quickly and completely
- Do not book flights until you have the visa grant in writing
- Keep your relationship evidence current—if you reach new milestones (engagement, moving to a new home, meeting family), add that evidence
Step 8: Visa Decision
If approved, you will receive a visa grant letter specifying:
- Your visa grant number
- Any conditions attached
- Your “first entry by” date (if you are offshore, you must enter Australia before this date)
If refused, you will be told why and whether you have review rights.
After Your Subclass 309 Visa is Granted
Understanding what happens after your visa is granted helps you settle successfully and prepare for permanent residency.
Australian visas are digital – there's no label in your passport. Your digital visa record is linked to your passport. Use VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) to check your visa details and conditions, and to provide proof of your visa to airlines, employers, banks, or government agencies. Your visa number is in your grant letter.
If you're outside Australia when your visa is granted, check your grant letter for the "first entry by" date. You must enter Australia before this date. You can travel to Australia after this date if your visa is still valid, but your visa may be subject to cancellation before arrival or at the border.
You must notify the Department of changes to your contact details, address, passport, or relationship status. If you have a baby after your visa is granted, notify the Department – your child may need their own visa arrangements.x
You cannot add family members to your application after the subclass 309 is granted. If you want to include a dependent child in your permanent visa application after your 309 is granted but before your permanent visa is finalised, your child must first apply for a Dependent Child visa (subclass 445).
Once your child holds a subclass 445 visa, you can include them in your permanent Partner visa application using Form 1002 – Application by a subclass 445 dependent child for a permanent partner visa.
You become eligible for consideration of the permanent Partner visa (subclass 100) two years after you first applied for the temporary and permanent Partner visas. You can check your application date in ImmiAccount. When the time comes, you'll need to provide updated documents showing your relationship is still genuine and continuing.
Do not apply for or accept any other visa while holding your subclass 309 (except the Dependent Child visa subclass 445). Being granted another visa will end your eligibility for permanent residency through this pathway.
Subclass 309 Visa Fees and Processing Time
The visa charges and estimated processing times are sourced from official Home Affairs data and can vary based on individual case details.
309 Visa Cost
Fee Type | Cost (AUD) |
Main Applicant | $9,365.00 |
Additional Applicant (18+) | $4,685.00 |
Additional Applicant (Under 18) | $2,345.00 |
309 Visa Processing Time
Current 309 visa processing time is approximately 14-24+ months to complete 50% to 90% application process.
Reduce delays by:
- Submitting a complete application with all documents
- Providing comprehensive genuine relationship proof
- Responding promptly to Department requests
🛡️ MARA Registered
Registered migration agents with 7+ years of trusted experience
⚡ Faster Processing
Complete applications reduce delays
🛡️ MARA Protection
Fully licensed MARA agents
Subclass 309 Visa Conditions: What You Must Know
Work: Any employer, any job, no restrictions
Study: Any course (you pay fees – no government support)
Travel: you can travel anytime and anywhere you like
Healthcare: eligible
Your Obligations:
- Obey all Australian laws
- Maintain a genuine relationship with your sponsor
- Notify the Department of any changes (address, relationship status, contact details)
- Complete health examinations if requested
- Comply with all visa conditions attached to your grant
How Long Can I Stay in Australia with a 309 Visa?
The Subclass 309 visa allows you to stay in Australia temporarily until:
- Your permanent Partner visa (subclass 100) application is finalised, OR
- You withdraw your permanent visa application
There is no fixed end date. Your stay is tied to the processing of your permanent visa application.
Why Clients Choose The Migration
Partner visas are personal. Your relationship, your family, your future—these are not just documents to us. We understand what is at stake. The Migration submits your visa application on your behalf, ensuring an accurate and fast process while keeping all your documents and relationship details strictly confidential.
We have helped couples navigate straightforward applications and complex situations. Relationships that started overseas. Partners with previous visa refusals. Cases involving children from prior relationships. Applications where things changed mid-process.
Eligibility Review
We confirm you meet requirements before you invest time gathering documents
Document Assessment
We review your evidence and identify gaps before submission
Evidence Strategy
We help you present your relationship authentically and compellingly
Application Lodgement
We ensure your Stage 2 documents are submitted correctly and completely
Department Communication
We manage correspondence and respond to requests on your behalf
Complication Management
We handle difficult situations with experience and care
What is Partner Visa Sponsorship?
As an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, you can sponsor your spouse or de facto partner to live in Australia through the Subclass 309 visa (offshore) pathway.
Your sponsorship is essential – without an approved sponsor, your partner’s visa cannot be granted. You commit to supporting your partner financially and with accommodation during their first two years in Australia.
Sponsorship covers both stages:
- Temporary visa (subclass 309)
- Permanent visa (subclass 100)
Sponsor Eligibility Requirements
You must remain the spouse or de facto partner of the person you sponsored for their temporary partner visa.
Your status as a sponsor must be officially approved. This process typically occurs while the applicant's temporary visa is being assessed.
Your Obligations as a Sponsor
Assist your partner and any family members included in the application with financial support during the sponsorship period.
Help provide suitable accommodation for your partner and their dependents.
If your partner included dependent children or other family members in their application, your sponsorship
- Remain in a genuine relationship with your partner
- Continue as sponsor for 2 years after visa grant
You cannot change or withdraw as sponsor after the visa is granted covers them too. You must assist all applicants included in the visa application.
Documents You Need as Sponsor
- Australian passport OR
- Australian citizenship certificate OR
- Australian driver's licence
- Evidence of permanent residency (if applicable)
- Form 40SP – Sponsorship for a partner to migrate to Australia
You must provide a Commonwealth statutory declaration covering:
- Your mutual commitment to each other (exclusive relationship)
- Evidence your relationship is genuine and continuing
- Whether you live together (or reasons for living apart)
- When your relationship began and how long you've lived together
- Financial commitments you share
- Nature of your household and any shared responsibility for children
- Social aspects of your relationship
- Your commitment to each other
- Plans for the future
- Australian Federal Police check (if required)
- Overseas police certificates (if lived abroad 12+ months since age 16)
How to Apply as a Sponsor
Step 1: Partner Lodges Visa Application
Your partner applies for the Subclass 309 visa through ImmiAccount and receives a Transaction Reference Number (TRN).
Step 2: You Apply for Sponsorship
Using the TRN, submit your sponsorship application through ImmiAccount as soon as possible after your partner applies.
Step 3: Provide Documents
Using the TRN, submit your sponsorship application through ImmiAccount as soon as possible after your partner applies.
Step 4: Await Approval
The Department assesses your sponsorship during processing of your partner’s temporary visa. Both must be approved for the visa to be granted.
⭐ 4.6 Google Rating
Consistently rated 5-star by clients across Australia
⚡ Faster Processing
Complete applications reduce delays
🛡️ MARA Protection
Fully licensed MARA agents
Support Your Partner's Final Step
You have already invested time, effort, and commitment into this process. The 309 visa is the final stage.
We help sponsors provide strong, complete documentation that supports their partner’s application. Whether your situation is straightforward or complex, we guide you through with expertise and care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can 309 Visa Lead to Permanent Residency?
Yes, the 309 visa lead to permanent residency through the subclass 100 Partner visa. This is a direct pathway – you do not need to apply for a separate visa. Both visas are applied for together in your initial application.
How long can I stay in Australia with a 309 visa?
You can stay in Australia until your permanent Partner visa (subclass 100) is granted or until you withdraw your application. There is no fixed end date – your stay is linked to the processing of your permanent visa.
What is the 309 visa processing time?
The 309 visa processing time currently ranges from 12 to 24+ months, depending on the completeness of your application and Department workload. Applications with compassionate circumstances or aged applicants may be prioritised.
How to prove genuine relationship for 309 visa?
You must provide evidence across four areas: financial matters (joint accounts, shared expenses), household arrangements (living together), social recognition (photos, witness statements), and mutual commitment (wills, future plans). Quality evidence that demonstrates a genuine, continuing relationship is essential.
What are the 309 visa fees?
The 309 visa fees start from AUD $9,365.00 for the main applicant. Additional applicants aged 18+ cost $4,680.00, and those under 18 cost $2,345.00. Additional costs include health checks, police certificates, and document translation.
Can I work on a subclass 309 visa?
Yes. The Subclass 309 visa conditions include full work rights. You can work for any employer in any occupation without restrictions.
What happens if my relationship ends while on the 309 visa?
You have to let the Department know if your relationship ends. If your partner passed away or you were the victim of domestic abuse throughout the relationship, you can still be qualified for the permanent visa. For the safety of applicants in these circumstances, the Department has particular family violence measures.
What documents are required for a 309 visa?
You need identity documents (passport, birth certificate), relationship evidence across four areas (financial, household, social, commitment), health examinations, police certificates from every country you’ve lived in for 12+ months, and Form 80. See our full partner visa 309 checklist above.
