Which Partner visa is used by an applicant in Australia?

Eligible applicants in Australia commonly apply for the combined temporary subclass 820 and permanent subclass 801 pathway. Current visa conditions, location and onshore application restrictions must be checked first.

Which Partner visa is used by an applicant outside Australia?

Eligible applicants outside Australia commonly apply for the temporary subclass 309 and permanent subclass 100 pathway.

Are the temporary and permanent Partner visa applications lodged together?

For the standard 820/801 and 309/100 pathways, the temporary and permanent applications are generally lodged together, with the permanent stage considered later subject to the applicable requirements.

What evidence supports a Partner visa application?

Evidence can address financial aspects, the household, social recognition and commitment, as well as identity, relationship history, marriage or de facto status and sponsor documents.

Home/Partner and Family Visas/Partner Visas

Partner Visas 820/801 & 309/100

Plan the correct onshore or offshore pathway, relationship evidence, sponsor documents, visa history and later permanent stage.

Compare onshore and offshore Partner visa assessment

Start with applicant location and visa status

The relationship may be the same, but the visa pathway, location requirements and onshore consequences can differ.

Applicant in Australia

Subclass 820 temporary and 801 permanent

The combined onshore Partner pathway is commonly used by an eligible spouse or de facto partner in Australia. Check the current visa, expiry, conditions, onshore restrictions and whether a valid application can be lodged.

Applicant location and current visa
No Further Stay or other restrictions
Bridging visa and travel planning
Sponsor and relationship evidence

Review 820/801 circumstances

Applicant outside Australia

Subclass 309 temporary and 100 permanent

The combined offshore Partner pathway is commonly used by an eligible spouse or de facto partner outside Australia. Check location, travel plans, sponsor documents and any previous Australian visa history.

Applicant location and travel plans
Marriage or de facto evidence
Previous visa and immigration history
Temporary-to-permanent stage planning

Review 309/100 circumstances

Location should be checked before lodgement and travel. Do not assume that being able to visit Australia changes the correct application pathway or all location requirements.

Build evidence around the relationship

Evidence should cover the history and current reality of the relationship, not simply fill a generic document list.

Financial: shared expenses, accounts, transfers, liabilities and financial arrangements.
Household: living arrangements, domestic responsibilities, mail, utilities and care responsibilities.
Social: recognition by family and friends, travel, events, photographs and supporting statements.
Commitment: timeline, communication, time apart, mutual support, future plans and long-term arrangements.

Open evidence checklist Family pathway check

Applicant and sponsor review

A strong relationship record does not replace the separate applicant, sponsor and visa-history checks.

Relationship status

Confirm marriage validity or the claimed de facto history and any registration or exception relied on.

Sponsor status

Confirm Australian citizenship, permanent residence or eligible New Zealand citizen status.

Sponsor history

Check previous sponsorships, limitations, character documents and relevant disclosures.

Applicant history

Review current visa, previous applications, refusals, cancellations, health and character matters.

Included family

Identify dependent children and prepare identity, custody, consent and other relevant documents.

After the temporary stage

The permanent stage normally requires updated evidence that the relationship continues and that any changed circumstances have been disclosed.

Track the original combined application date and Home Affairs instructions.
Continue collecting current relationship and household evidence.
Update identity, address, contact and family composition details when required.
Respond to requests through ImmiAccount by the stated deadline.

If the relationship has changed

Obtain confidential advice promptly if the relationship has ended, the sponsor has died, there are children of the relationship or there has been domestic or family violence.

In some circumstances a Partner visa application may continue. Do not withdraw an application or rely on general information before the facts and official notification steps are reviewed.

Request confidential review

Reviewed under MARN 2519006 Content reviewed 21 July 2026 Linked to Home Affairs sources

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