Subclasses 820 and 801
Partner visa—apply in Australia
A combined temporary and permanent pathway for eligible applicants lodging in Australia.
← All migration pathways
Partner visas
Tell your relationship story with clarity, care and evidence.
Explore partner pathways and understand how location, sponsorship, relationship status and evidence shape an application.
Start with your circumstances
The correct pathway depends on more than the relationship alone.
Partner visas may be available to a spouse, de facto partner or prospective spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Where the applicant is located, the relationship status and the pathway selected affect the application process. Evidence should show a genuine and continuing relationship, not simply a marriage certificate.
Common partner pathways
Onshore, offshore or prospective marriage?
Location and relationship status are critical when selecting a pathway.
Subclasses 309 and 100
Partner visa—apply outside Australia
A combined provisional and permanent pathway for eligible applicants lodging outside Australia.
Subclass 300
Prospective Marriage visa
A temporary pathway for an eligible fiancé(e) to come to Australia, marry and then pursue the relevant partner process.
Sponsorship
The sponsor’s role
The eligible partner sponsor provides information and must satisfy applicable sponsorship requirements.
Show the real relationship
Use evidence that reflects your life together.
- ✓Explain how the relationship began and developed.
- ✓Provide relevant evidence across financial, household, social and commitment factors.
- ✓Address periods apart, previous relationships and important dates honestly.
Avoid artificial evidence
Volume cannot replace credibility.
- ×Do not submit contradictory dates or unexplained relationship histories.
- ×Do not assume marriage alone proves every requirement.
- ×Do not select an onshore or offshore pathway without checking location rules.
Preparing your evidence
Build a balanced relationship record.
Useful evidence varies between couples. Context and consistency matter as much as document quantity.
- 01 Identity and civil status documents
- 02 Relationship statements and chronology
- 03 Joint financial evidence
- 04 Shared household evidence
- 05 Social recognition of the relationship
- 06 Communication and travel history
- 07 Sponsor information and eligibility
- 08 Health and character documents
Application journey
From first check to a decision.
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01
Identify the pathway
Check relationship status, applicant location and sponsor eligibility.
-
02
Map the relationship
Create an accurate chronology and identify evidence across each aspect.
-
03
Prepare both sides
Coordinate the visa application, sponsorship and supporting documents.
-
04
Manage the stages
Respond to requests and prepare for later permanent-stage assessment.
Costs and timing
Check current information before you act.
Partner visa charges are substantial and can change. Also allow for health examinations, police checks, translations and document retrieval.
Common complications
Small inconsistencies can create large questions.
- • Previous sponsorships or relationships
- • Periods living apart or limited joint records
- • Inconsistent dates across statements and documents
- • Changes in circumstances while processing
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers to common starting questions.
Do we need to be married? +
Not always. Eligible spouse and de facto relationships can qualify under partner pathways, while a separate prospective marriage pathway exists. Each has its own requirements.
Is a marriage certificate enough? +
No. Home Affairs assesses whether the relationship is genuine and continuing using the available evidence and circumstances.
Can we apply while living apart? +
Living apart does not automatically decide the outcome, but the reason, duration and evidence of an ongoing relationship need careful explanation.
Are temporary and permanent partner visas separate applications? +
The onshore and offshore partner processes commonly involve a combined application covering temporary or provisional and permanent stages, with later assessment requirements.
Authoritative sources
Check the official rules.
The following official pages were used to prepare this guide.
Sources last checked: 24 July 2026.
Your next step
Would you like clarity before you apply?
Tell us about your circumstances. We can help you identify the questions and evidence that deserve attention.
General information only: This page does not provide personal migration advice or guarantee eligibility, processing time or an outcome. Requirements and government information can change. Check current official information and consider professional advice for your circumstances.