Partner Visa Subclass 309 (Offshore) — Applying for a Partner Visa From Outside Australia
If you are currently outside Australia and in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, the Partner Visa Subclass 309 is the temporary stage of the offshore partner visa pathway that allows you to travel to and live in Australia while your permanent visa application is assessed.
The 309 is lodged as a combined application with the permanent Partner Visa Subclass 100 — meaning both visa stages are applied for at the same time, with the permanent visa assessed after a period of time has elapsed from the original application date.
Whether you are a spouse, registered partner, or de facto partner of an eligible Australian sponsor, understanding how the Partner Visa Subclass 309 works — including what it requires and what it allows — is the starting point for a well-prepared application.
What Is the Partner Visa Subclass 309?
The Partner Visa Subclass 309 is a temporary visa that allows eligible partners and spouses of Australian sponsors to travel to and live in Australia temporarily, while their permanent Partner Visa Subclass 100 application is being processed.
Once granted, the Subclass 309 provides:
- The right to travel to Australia and live there temporarily
- Full work rights in Australia
- Study rights in Australia
- Unrestricted travel to and from Australia during the visa period
- Access to Medicare, if eligible
- Eligibility to attend the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP), where applicable
The 309 remains valid until a decision is made on the permanent Subclass 100 — either granted or refused.
Key Facts at a Glance
|
Detail |
Information |
|
Visa Type |
Temporary (offshore) |
|
Application Cost |
From AUD $8,850 (primary applicant) |
|
Location at Lodgement |
Must be outside Australia |
|
Processing Time (25%) |
Approximately 5 months |
|
Processing Time (50%) |
Approximately 12 months |
|
Processing Time (75%) |
Approximately 37 months |
|
Processing Time (90%) |
Approximately 96 months |
|
Pathway To |
Partner Visa Subclass 100 (permanent offshore) |
Processing time variation for the Subclass 309 is significant — the 90th percentile is approximately 8 years from application. This reflects the high volume of offshore partner visa applications and the priority given to certain circumstances. Completeness of evidence and application quality are among the factors that influence how quickly an application moves through assessment.
Who Can Apply for the Partner Visa Subclass 309?
To be eligible for the Partner Visa Subclass 309, you must generally:
Be outside Australia at the time you lodge the application and at the time the visa is decided. This is an offshore visa — if you are in Australia, the onshore Subclass 820 pathway applies instead.
Be in a genuine relationship with an eligible sponsor — your Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen spouse or de facto partner.
Have a sponsor who is approved to sponsor. Your partner must be assessed as an eligible sponsor by the Department of Home Affairs, which involves character checks and consideration of any prior sponsorship history.
Be in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months before applying, unless you hold a registered relationship or an exemption applies based on compelling circumstances.
Meet health and character requirements, including medical examinations conducted by an approved panel physician and police clearances from all countries where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
Onshore vs Offshore: Which Pathway Applies to You?
|
|
Onshore (820/801) |
Offshore (309/100) |
|
Where you are at lodgement |
In Australia |
Outside Australia |
|
Temporary stage |
Subclass 820 |
Subclass 309 |
|
Permanent stage |
Subclass 801 |
Subclass 100 |
|
Work rights while processing |
Yes — via Bridging Visa A |
Only once 309 is granted |
|
Can you enter Australia? |
Already there |
After 309 is granted |
If your circumstances change between lodgement and the visa decision — for example, if you travel to Australia before the 309 is granted — your eligibility may be affected. This is an area where professional advice before taking action is important.
Relationship Evidence for the Subclass 309
Offshore partner visa applications are among the most evidence-intensive in the Australian migration system. The Department assesses four aspects of the relationship — financial, household, social, and commitment — and expects evidence across all four areas, not just one or two.
For offshore applicants, demonstrating financial and household connection can be more complex than for couples who live together in Australia. Evidence of a cross-border relationship — including records of communication, visits, financial support, and future plans — forms an important part of the evidence file.
Common evidence considerations for offshore applicants include:
Financial — joint accounts or transfers, financial support provided between partners, joint financial commitments where applicable.
Household — periods of cohabitation when together, correspondence addressed to both at shared addresses during visits, evidence of shared living during visits to each other.
Social — photographs together over time, records of visits and travel, statements from family members and friends who know the couple, records of the relationship being acknowledged socially.
Commitment — communication records showing regular contact (calls, messages), knowledge of each other’s background and life, future plans including immigration and settlement intentions.
How FTS Visa Services Assists With Offshore Partner Visa Applications
Preparing a Partner Visa Subclass 309 application from outside Australia involves coordinating documentation across two countries, managing communication with the Department during what can be a lengthy processing period, and responding to any requests that arise during assessment.
FTS Visa Services provides end-to-end support for offshore partner visa applicants, including:
- Initial eligibility assessments for both the applicant and the sponsor
- Evidence review and guidance on what the offshore application requires
- Preparation and review of the complete application before lodgement
- Sponsorship assessment and documentation
- Ongoing support through the processing period
- Assistance with departmental requests and additional information requests
- Support transitioning to the permanent Subclass 100 assessment
Consultations are available at our offices in Parramatta, Sydney, and Melbourne, and by phone or video for applicants based overseas.
Related Visa Pathways
Frequently Asked Questions — Partner Visa Subclass 309
Yes. The Subclass 309 includes full work rights, allowing you to work for any Australian employer once you arrive in Australia.
If you enter Australia before the 309 visa decision, your eligibility for the offshore visa may be affected. You should seek advice before travelling if your application is pending.
Processing times vary considerably. At the 25th percentile, approximately 5 months. At the 75th percentile, approximately 37 months. At the 90th percentile, approximately 96 months. Application completeness and queue position both affect the timeline.
Yes. Dependent children can be included as secondary applicants, subject to health and character requirements.
The government application fee is from AUD $8,850 for the primary applicant. This fee covers both the temporary 309 and the permanent 100 as a combined application. Migration agent fees are additional.