The Offshore Partner Visa is a two-stage permanent residency pathway for the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who is outside Australia at the time of lodgement. Both stages are applied for together in a single application and one fee covers both.
Stage 1 — Subclass 309 (Provisional Partner Visa) Granted once the Department of Home Affairs assesses your relationship. When the Subclass 309 is granted, your partner can then travel to and remain in Australia lawfully while the permanent stage is assessed.
Stage 2 — Subclass 100 (Permanent Partner Visa) Assessed approximately two years after the initial application, provided the relationship remains genuine and continuing at the time of assessment. No additional Department fee applies at this stage.
We can help you if:
Your eligibility for the Offshore Partner Visa depends on where your partner is located, your relationship, and your sponsorship status. Here is what to check first.
De facto couples must show they have lived together for at least 12 months before lodgement. However, this can vary depending on your situation. If you previously lived together in Australia and registered your relationship under a recognised state or territory scheme before moving offshore, you may be exempt from the 12-month cohabitation requirement. This applies even though you're now applying from outside Australia. Note that registration itself must take place in Australia.
Every Subclass 309/100 application is assessed against two things the strength of your relationship evidence and whether you meet the mandatory health and character requirements. Both must be in order before lodgement.
Relationship evidence is assessed across four categories. Every category must be addressed at lodgement.
The strength of your application depends on how well each category is covered. For offshore couples, the quality of evidence explaining time spent apart is as important as the evidence of time spent together. The sponsor must also submit a separate sponsorship application at the same time. We advise on exactly what is required for your specific circumstances at the initial consultation.
Requirements vary depending on your specific circumstances. We confirm exactly what is needed at your initial consultation with our team.
We provide end-to-end legal support for Subclass 309/100 applications across Australia. From your first eligibility assessment to the permanent stage decision, here is what working with us looks like.
"We had already tried to put our application together ourselves and quickly realised how much we were missing. Partner Visa Lawyers reviewed everything, identified the gaps in our evidence, and lodged a complete application within weeks. We felt in control of the process for the first time."
"My situation was complicated. I had a previous visa refusal and my partner and I had spent long periods apart due to work. They understood the risks upfront, built submissions that addressed them directly, and kept us informed at every stage."
"The advice was specific, practical, and honest. We knew exactly what the Department would be looking for and what we needed to provide. No surprises. Just clear legal guidance from people who know partner visas inside out."
One of the most common concerns couples have is not knowing what comes next. This is what the process looks like when you work with us, from start to finish.
Knowing the full cost upfront lets you plan properly and move forward with confidence. Below is a breakdown of the Department's current government application charges.
In addition to the government application charge, most applicants will incur other costs as part of the process, including health examinations, police clearance certificates, and document translation where applicable. These vary depending on your individual circumstances and country of origin. Contact us for a full cost overview tailored to your situation.
The Subclass 309/100 has two distinct processing stages and each runs on its own timeline. Understanding both helps you plan realistically for what lies ahead.
