Australia Offshore Partner Migration Visa (Subclass 309 and 100)
If you are currently outside Australia but have built a stable relationship with your partner and hope to live in Australia long-term, partner migration remains a clear and workable pathway.
The Partner Visa (Subclass 309 and 100) is the offshore stream of Australian partner migration. It also uses a “two-step” model: Stage 1 is the Subclass 309 provisional visa, and Stage 2 is the Subclass 100 permanent residency visa (PR).
Unlike onshore applications, the core challenge of this stream is that you need to wait offshore during processing — and you need to prove your relationship is genuinely continuing.
Get Your Free Partner Visa Assessment →Visa Overview: The Two-Step 309 and 100 Pathway
Subclass 309 and 100 visas are essentially the same as 820/801 — only the place of lodgement differs. This pathway uses a “one application, two-stage approval” two-step model: you obtain a provisional visa first, then transition to permanent residency.
Who It SuitsThis pathway suits:
- Applicants currently outside Australia
- Those in a stable relationship with an Australian citizen or PR
- People who plan to live in Australia long-term
Stage 1: Subclass 309 Visa (Provisional)
- Visa name: Partner Visa (Subclass 309)
- Type: Provisional visa
Once the Subclass 309 is granted, the applicant can enter Australia and live with their partner while waiting to progress to the permanent stage.
Stage 2: Subclass 100 Visa (Permanent)
- Visa name: Partner Visa (Subclass 100)
- Type: Permanent residency (PR)
Roughly 2 years after lodgement, the Department will assess whether the relationship is continuing in order to decide whether to grant the Subclass 100 visa.
Subclass 309 (Offshore) vs Subclass 820 (Onshore)
The question most applicants ask is: should I apply onshore or offshore? The comparison below helps you quickly understand the core differences between the two pathways.
| Comparison Item | Subclass 309 (Offshore) | Subclass 820 (Onshore) |
|---|---|---|
| Place of lodgement | Offshore | Onshore |
| Where you wait | Wait offshore | Can wait in Australia |
| Bridging visa available | No | Yes |
| Entry timing | Enter after grant | Can stay in Australia after lodgement |
| Assessment focus | Relationship genuineness + continuity | Relationship genuineness |
Core Recommendation
If you are already in Australia, the Subclass 820 is usually more suitable; if you are offshore, choose the Subclass 309.
Application Requirements and Core Assessment Logic
The core requirements for the Subclass 309/100 are the same as the onshore stream — the focus is still the relationship itself.
Applicants must:
- Be in a married or de facto relationship with the sponsor
- Have a sponsor who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Have a genuine and continuing relationship
- Meet health and character requirements
Core Assessment Logic
The assessment logic for partner visas is especially strict for offshore applications.
The Department not only assesses whether the relationship is genuine, but also pays close attention to:
- Whether a long-term, stable relationship exists
- Whether there is ongoing contact and interaction
- Whether you share future plans together
For long-distance relationships especially: proving “continuity” matters more than proving the “beginning”.
Want to know if your relationship meets the Subclass 309 criteria? Let our senior consultants assess your relationship.
Get Your Free Relationship Assessment →Application Process: 6 Steps to an Offshore Partner Visa
The Subclass 309/100 process is relatively standard but the timeline is long. Below is the full process — from confirming eligibility to finally obtaining PR.
Confirm Relationship and Eligibility
- Confirm you are in a marriage or eligible de facto relationship
- Meet the basic application criteria (health, character, sponsor eligibility)
Prepare a Complete Set of Relationship Evidence
- Systematically prepare relationship evidence, including cohabitation records and financial dealings
- Organise chat logs, travel records and similar materials
- Build a complete narrative that proves the relationship is genuine and continuing
Lodge the Subclass 309 Visa Application
- Lodge the application from outside Australia
- Formally enter the assessment stage
Wait for Processing and Supply Additional Materials
- During processing, the Department may request additional materials
- Or ask for further evidence of relationship genuineness
Receive the Subclass 309 Provisional Grant and Enter Australia
- Once the visa is granted, you can enter Australia and live with your partner
- With a Subclass 309 you can travel in and out of Australia freely
Lodge Stage 2 Materials and Obtain PR
- Once the time requirement is met, submit updated materials
- Prove the relationship is continuing
- Finally obtain permanent residency
Cost Estimate: One Application Covers Both Stages of the 309/100
The Subclass 309/100 fee structure mirrors the onshore stream: one application covers both stages. The main cost ranges are below (in AUD).
| Item | Cost Range (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa Application Charge (309 + 100) | $9,000+ | Paid once |
| Health examination | $300 – $500 | |
| Documents and notarisation | $500 – $1,500 | |
| Service fees | Tailored |
Fees shown are reference figures as at June 2026 — the latest officially published rates prevail.
Key feature: one application covers both stages.
Common Risks: Waiting Period and Relationship Evidence
The main risks for the Subclass 309 sit around the “waiting period” and “relationship evidence”.
Common issues include:
- Long-distance relationships lacking ongoing evidence
- Disorganised materials with unclear narrative logic
- Unable to prove plans for a shared future life
Many refusals are not because the relationship is not genuine, but because:
The relationship cannot be shown to be “long-term and stable”.
Newstarsec NewStars can help you:
- Assess whether your relationship meets the requirements
- Design the structure of your relationship evidence
- Optimise materials for long-distance relationships
- Provide end-to-end application support
Contact us now for your tailored partner visa assessment plan.
Get Your Free Assessment Plan →Why Choose Newstarsec NewStars?
Offshore partner visa applications take a long time and the assessment is strict — a professional team by your side helps your application avoid unnecessary detours.
Relationship Assessment Expertise
Assess whether your relationship meets the Subclass 309 criteria and clarify your pathway.
Evidence Structure Design
Design a systematic relationship-evidence structure for long-distance couples so the Department can clearly see the “continuity”.
Long-Distance Relationship Optimisation
For long-distance couples, we integrate communication, meet-up and future-planning evidence into one chain.
End-to-End Application Service
From Subclass 309 lodgement, additional documents and grant through to Subclass 100 PR — we are with you the whole way.
Related Complex Success Cases
Real visa-grant outcomes — how we handle complex, high-difficulty Subclass 309/100 offshore partner migration cases.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does the Subclass 309 always have to be applied for offshore?
Yes — at the time of lodgement you must be outside Australia for the Subclass 309. If you are already onshore, you should consider the Subclass 820 instead.
Can I visit Australia while the Subclass 309 is being processed?
Before the Subclass 309 is granted, you can try applying for a visitor visa to enter Australia, but you must meet the entry requirements and there is no guarantee of approval. Once you hold a Subclass 309, you can travel in and out of Australia freely.
How long does the Subclass 309 take?
Processing typically takes around 12 to 24 months (as at June 2026), depending on the individual case and the Department’s processing progress.
Can a Subclass 309 be converted to a Subclass 820?
Generally there is no direct conversion, so you need to choose the right pathway clearly before lodging.
Are the Subclass 309 and 100 applied for together?
Yes — like the 820/801, the 309 and 100 are lodged in the same application, but they are processed as Stage 1 and Stage 2.
Can a long-distance couple apply for a partner visa?
Yes — but you need to provide stronger evidence of genuineness and continuity, including communication logs, records of meeting up and your future plans.
Can a partner visa be refused?
Yes. If the relationship is assessed as not genuine or the evidence is insufficient, the visa can be refused. That is why the structure and logic of your materials really matter.
Start Your Offshore Partner Visa Application Today
Our senior consultants will give your relationship a professional assessment and design a complete evidence narrative — so your path to reuniting with your loved one in Australia is clearer than ever.
Get Your Free Partner Visa Assessment →
