Visa subclass 309/100 · Partner · permanent
Subclass 309/100 Partner (offshore): 2026 eligibility, points and processing
The 309 (provisional) and 100 (PR) form the offshore counterpart to 820/801. The applicant must be outside Australia at time of application and at time of 309 grant.
★Key takeaways
- ✓Subclass 309/100 Partner (offshore) is a permanent visa for partner applicants.
- ✓No points test – eligibility is sponsorship + skills assessment + work experience based.
- ✓Processing: 15 months median (source: Department of Home Affairs Global Visa Processing Times, January 2026).
- ✓Primary VAC1: $9,095.
- ✓Path to PR: 100 PR granted approximately 2 years after the original lodgement date, assuming the relationship is still genuine.
At a glance
Stream
permanent, open for new applications
Age limit
18+ both partners.
Work rights
On 309 grant, full work and study rights from arrival in Australia.
Path to PR
100 PR granted approximately 2 years after the original lodgement date, assuming the relationship is still genuine. Citizenship eligible after 4 years’ lawful residence.
Eligibility
Eligibility checklist
Every box below must tick before lodgement. Missing any one of them either makes the visa impossible or pushes the applicant into a different subclass.
- Outside Australia at time of application and at time of 309 grant
- Spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen
- Same relationship evidence requirements as 820/801
- Sponsor must be 18+ and meet character requirements
- Health and character requirements
Processing time
How long does it take?
Published by Home Affairs as 25th, 50th and 90th percentile times. Individual processing can be faster or slower depending on documentation, country of passport and decision-ready status.
| 25% of applications | 50% (median) | 90% of applications |
|---|---|---|
| 8 months | 15 months | 24 months |
Department of Home Affairs Global Visa Processing Times, January 2026. See current processing times across all subclasses.
Cost
Visa Application Charge
| Applicant | VAC1 (lodgement) |
|---|---|
| Primary applicant | $9,095 |
| Partner (secondary) | n/a |
| Child (secondary) | $2,275 |
Same fee structure as 820/801. Single fee covers both 309 and 100 stages.
In depth
What you actually need to know
309/100 is the offshore partner visa pathway. Applicant must be outside Australia at lodgement and at 309 grant. The 309 is a provisional visa that allows entry to Australia and unrestricted work rights from arrival; the 100 PR is decided approximately 2 years after the original lodgement.
The evidence package is identical to 820/801 (financial, social, household, nature/commitment) but is often harder to compile for offshore applicants because joint financial and household evidence may be thin. Letters from family and friends, photos of relationship milestones, and proof of regular communication become more important.
Many offshore applicants use the visitor visa (600) to enter Australia during 309 processing. The 600 must have 8503 waived or not attached, and the applicant must still be offshore at 309 grant. Some applicants instead switch to a 820/801 onshore application if they enter Australia on a valid visa without 8503; this is a strategic decision worth discussing with a migration agent.
Visa conditions to know
- Standard partner visa conditions; relationship continuation required for 100 grant
Occupations covered
n/a
Pathway to permanent residence
100 PR granted approximately 2 years after the original lodgement date, assuming the relationship is still genuine. Citizenship eligible after 4 years’ lawful residence.
Common questions
Subclass 309/100 Partner (offshore) – common questions
Can I be in Australia when my 309 is granted?
No. The 309 is an offshore visa – you must be outside Australia at lodgement and at grant. The Department will not grant a 309 to an applicant in Australia at the decision date. Many applicants travel out of Australia (often to NZ for a short trip) when 309 grant is imminent.
Is 309 faster than 820?
Generally similar. Both have median processing times in the 12–24 month range as at January 2026. Offshore (309) processing has historically been slightly faster in some regions but Sydney lodgements are similar.
Can I work in Australia on a 309?
Yes – from arrival in Australia after the 309 is granted. The 309 carries unrestricted work and study rights for its full term.
What if I move to Australia and want to lodge onshore instead?
If you enter Australia on a valid visa that allows further visa lodgement (e.g. a 600 visitor visa without 8503), you can lodge a 820/801 onshore. This is sometimes a deliberate strategy to access onshore Bridging Visa A work rights immediately. Get migration agent advice before switching pathways.
Source
Primary source for this page
Information on this page is summarised from the Department of Home Affairs visa listing for subclass 309/100. Always confirm details against the primary source before lodging.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/partner-offshore-309-100 →
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