Subclass 309/100 · Family & partner · Provisional (309) then Permanent (100)
Partner visa (offshore)
The subclass 309 and 100 are the offshore partner visas. You must be outside Australia when the 309 is granted. It works the same way as the onshore 820 and 801: one application, one fee, a provisional visa first, then permanent residence through the 100 about two years after lodgement.
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- Stay period
- 309 is provisional; 100 is permanent
- Permanent residence
- Yes, PR or a pathway to it
- Points tested
- No
- Age limit
- Both partners must be at least 18
- Base application charge
- About AUD 9,095 for the combined 309 and 100 application
- Processing time
- 309 stage commonly 12 to 24 months
- English requirement
- No formal test; functional English affects a possible second charge
Who it’s for
The same relationship requirements as the onshore partner visa apply: a genuine and continuing married or de facto relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who sponsors you. The key difference is that you must be outside Australia when the 309 is decided, though you can be granted a visitor visa and travel while you wait.
Pathway to permanent residence
The subclass 100 is permanent residence, generally granted around two years after the application date, earlier for established relationships.
Being outside Australia for the grant
You apply from outside Australia and must be offshore when the 309 is granted. Many applicants travel back and forth on visitor visas during processing. Being onshore on a bridging visa is not compatible with a 309 grant.
Moving between onshore and offshore
If your circumstances change and you end up living in Australia during processing, you may need to withdraw and lodge an onshore 820 instead, paying a second fee. Get advice before doing this.
Timeline
Processing times for the offshore partner visa have historically run longer than the onshore version, though the gap has narrowed. Plan for one to two years for the provisional stage.
Visa conditions
The 309 allows you to enter Australia, work, and study. You must notify Home Affairs of relationship changes and, for the 100, be in or outside Australia as directed.
Partner visa (offshore) (subclass 309/100): common questions
How much does the subclass 309/100 visa cost?
The base application charge for the Partner visa (offshore) (subclass 309/100) is About AUD 9,095 for the combined 309 and 100 application. Family members you include each pay an additional charge, and there are separate costs for health checks, police certificates, and skills assessments.
How long does the subclass 309/100 visa take to process?
The Partner visa (offshore) (subclass 309/100) is generally processed in 309 stage commonly 12 to 24 months. Times vary with your occupation, how complete your application is, and demand at the time.
Does the subclass 309/100 visa lead to permanent residence?
The subclass 100 is permanent residence, generally granted around two years after the application date, earlier for established relationships.
What is the age limit for the subclass 309/100 visa?
Both partners must be at least 18. Age is assessed at a specific point in the process, usually the date of invitation or application, so check exactly when before you plan around it.
How long can I stay on the subclass 309/100 visa?
309 is provisional; 100 is permanent.
This is general information, not immigration advice. Visa criteria change often, so always confirm the current rules on the Department of Home Affairs website or with a registered migration agent before you apply.