The offshore mirror of the 820/801
The offshore partner visa works exactly like the onshore version — except you apply from outside Australia. One application, one fee, two stages: the 309 (temporary, granted first) and the 100 (permanent, granted after the relationship-eligibility window). Once the 309 is granted you can enter Australia and live here while the 100 is processed.
What the 309 gives you
- Move to Australia and live here with your partner
- Work without restriction
- Access Medicare
- Travel in and out of Australia
What the 100 gives you
- Permanent residence
- Sponsor family for partner, parent, child and other visas
- Apply for citizenship after meeting residence requirements
When does the 100 get granted?
Generally about two years after the 309 lodgement. Long-established couples may get a concurrent grant. Typical timeline: lodge offshore (day 0), 309 granted 12–24 months later, enter Australia, 100 eligibility window at two years, 100 granted 12–18 months after — roughly 3–4 years to PR.
Evidence — what's different from 820/801?
The four pillars apply equally. The challenge offshore is you may not have lived together full-time before lodgement. Offshore evidence leans on:
- Travel records — passport stamps, flights, hotels showing visits
- Communications — daily messages, video calls, emails across the relationship
- Money transfers — financial commitment across borders
- Family knowledge — declarations from both families
- Plans for life in Australia — housing, work, joint plans
The household pillar focuses on planned cohabitation — offshore 309 cases don't require 12 months of pre-lodgement living together.
Applying from overseas?
Book a consultation →Did you know?
If you're outside Australia, together less than 12 months and not married, you generally can't lodge a 309 de facto — but you can lodge a 300 (prospective marriage) if you plan to marry within nine months of grant. Marrying first can also convert a 12-month-needed de facto case into a no-cohabitation-needed married case.
Frequently asked questions
The 309 is the temporary offshore partner visa, granted first; the 100 is the permanent one, granted after the relationship-eligibility window.
Yes, until the 309 is granted. You can visit Australia on a visitor visa during processing, subject to the visitor-visa rules.
No — the single application fee covers both the 309 and the 100.