VisaAssist
Permanent Residency

Australia Partner Visa

For partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens to come to Australia.

Processing
18-30 months
Max Stay
Until permanent visa decision
Work Rights
Yes

*Fees and processing times are subject to change. Check official sources.

analytics Visa Overview

Real-time data from official sources

hourglass_top

Processing Time

18-30 months

75% of applications processed within 22 months, 90% within 30 months. Long processing times due to high demand and thorough relationship assessment.

Yes
Work Rights
Yes
Path to PR
verified_user

Eligibility Requirements

Make sure you meet these requirements before applying.

Key Eligibility Criteria

  • Character Requirements: Must meet character requirements including police certificates
  • Character Requirements: Must meet character requirements including police certificates
  • Character Requirements: Must meet character requirements including police certificates
  • Health Requirements: Must meet health requirements including medical examination
  • Health Requirements: Must meet health requirements including medical examination
  • Health Requirements: Must meet health requirements including medical examination
  • Offshore Application: Must be outside Australia when applying and when visa is granted
  • Offshore Application: Must be outside Australia when applying and when visa is granted
  • Offshore Application: Must be outside Australia when applying and when visa is granted
  • Genuine Relationship: Must be in a genuine and continuing relationship with Australian sponsor
  • Genuine Relationship: Must be in a genuine and continuing relationship with Australian sponsor
  • Genuine Relationship: Must be in a genuine and continuing relationship with Australian sponsor
  • Relationship Type: Must be married or in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months
  • Relationship Type: Must be married or in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months
  • Relationship Type: Must be married or in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months
  • Eligible Sponsor: Sponsor must be Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen aged 18+
  • Eligible Sponsor: Sponsor must be Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen aged 18+
  • Eligible Sponsor: Sponsor must be Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen aged 18+
timeline

Step-by-Step Application

1

Sponsor Eligibility Check

Sponsor must be Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen aged 18+. Check sponsorship limitations.

lightbulb Check if sponsor has sponsored others before - limits apply.
2

Gather Relationship Evidence

Compile comprehensive evidence of genuine relationship: joint finances, shared household, social recognition, commitment to each other.

lightbulb More evidence is better. Cover all four relationship aspects.
3

Lodge Application Online

Create ImmiAccount and lodge combined sponsor and visa applications. Pay application fee and upload all documents.

lightbulb Ensure applicant is outside Australia when applying.
Official Portal open_in_new
4

Complete Health and Character Checks

Both applicant and sponsor must complete health examinations and provide police certificates for all countries lived in 12+ months.

lightbulb Order police certificates early as some countries take months.
5

Wait for Processing

Partner visa processing takes 18-30 months. You may be contacted for interview or additional information.

lightbulb Keep relationship evidence updated. Notify of address/circumstance changes.
6

Visa Grant

If approved, receive 309 provisional visa. After 2 years, eligible for 100 permanent visa if relationship continues.

lightbulb Maintain relationship evidence for 100 visa application.
warning

Common Rejection Reasons

Avoid these common mistakes that lead to visa refusals.

Relationship Found Not Genuine

Provide extensive evidence across all four relationship aspects. Include photos, joint accounts, statutory declarations from friends/family, communication records, and travel evidence.

Sponsor Not Eligible

Check sponsor limitations before applying. Ensure sponsor meets all requirements. Address any sponsor character concerns upfront.

quiz

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a partner visa take to process? expand_more
Partner visa processing times are currently 18-30 months for most applications. This is due to high application numbers and thorough relationship assessment requirements. You can check current processing times on the Home Affairs website. If applying from outside Australia, you cannot travel to Australia until the visa is granted.

Quick Tools

calculate
Fee Calculator
Calculate total visa costs
schedule
Processing Times
Check current wait times
checklist
Document Checklist
Track your documents