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Subclass 309/100

Subclass 309/100 — Partner (offshore)

Partner visa for applicants lodging while outside Australia — 309 temporary, 100 permanent. The offshore counterpart of 820/801.

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Pathway

Permanent

Processing time

20–30 months (309 → 100 combined, indicative)

Government fee

AUD 9,365+

Visa duration

309: temporary · 100: indefinite

Overview

!
Detailed legal content below is being written. Contact Visa Affairs directly for an assessment of your specific circumstances.

Subclass 309/100 (Partner offshore) is a combined application for partners of Australian citizens / PRs / NZ citizens, lodged while the applicant is OUTSIDE Australia. The offshore counterpart of 820/801 — same requirements, different application location.

Combined application:

  • 309 (temporary) — granted first, allows entry to Australia, living, working, study.
  • 100 (PR) — assessed after ≥2 years, lifts 309 to PR.

Same four pillars of relationship evidence (financial, social, household, commitment) as 820/801.

Choose 309/100 when:

  • The applicant is in Vietnam (or a third country), never been in Australia, or has left Australia.
  • You want to enter Australia with a partner visa already granted (rather than entering on another visa and switching to 820).

Detailed legal content (sponsor limitations, DFV provisions, dependent children, offshore evidence requirements) needs verification against current rules. Book a consultation for a relationship assessment.

Key eligibility

  • Outside Australia at time of lodgement
  • Married or in a de facto relationship of ≥12 months (with exceptions)
  • Sponsor is an Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen
  • Sponsor approved before the visa application is decided
  • Meet health and character requirements (applicant and accompanying children)

Process

  1. 01

    Relationship + sponsor assessment

    Same as 820/801 — four pillars of relationship evidence. Sponsor approval before visa is decided.

  2. 02

    Lodge 309 + 100 combined

    Combined application — one file, one fee, two visas assessed sequentially.

  3. 03

    309 granted → enter Australia

    Once 309 is granted, the applicant enters Australia (unrestricted travel during 309 validity). Begin life in Australia.

  4. 04

    Review → 100 granted

    After ≥2 years from 309 lodgement, the Department reviews and grants 100 — lifting from temporary to PR.

Estimated cost

Department of Home Affairs fee (per immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) AUD 9,365+
VisaAffairs service fee Quoted after initial consultation
Third-party costs (health, AFP check, translations, etc.) Varies by case
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All figures are indicative as of last update. Department of Home Affairs fees change periodically — verify on the official site before lodging. immi.homeaffairs.gov.au →

How VisaAffairs helps

Clear eligibility assessment

Our RMA reviews your full situation against current rules — no boilerplate templates.

Document set reviewed item-by-item

Every piece of evidence is checked before lodgement — minimising the risk of request for further information.

Case officer tracking

VisaAffairs monitors ImmiAccount and responds to case officer requests on time.

Frequently asked questions

309/100 vs 820/801 — what's the difference?
309/100: applicant outside Australia at lodgement (offshore). 820/801: applicant inside Australia (onshore). Same relationship requirements, same fee, same temporary-to-PR pathway. The main practical difference: 309 has no Bridging Visa in Australia during processing, while 820 onshore grants work/Medicare rights while waiting.
I'm currently in Australia on another visa — can I lodge 309?
No. 309 requires the applicant to be OUTSIDE Australia at lodgement AND at decision. If you're inside Australia, you need to consider 820 onshore instead.
Are there exceptions to the 12-month de facto requirement?
Yes. Main exceptions: state/territory relationship registration (only for 820 onshore), shared children, or compelling and compassionate circumstances. Verify with an RMA.
After 100 PR, how long until I can apply for Citizenship?
4 years residence in Australia, including ≥1 year as PR + meeting the physical presence test (≥9 months/year before lodging Citizenship). Verify current rules at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.

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