The Different Australia Partner Visa Subclasses Simplified

Before you lodge your applications for your Partner Visas, there are a few things you need to know and do. First, your partner must either be: an Australian citizen, and Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. Second, you must read the Partner Migration information booklet before you start processing your application, so you are better equipped with the knowledge needed to be able to apply successfully. The booklet contains the basic requirements needed, your rights and obligations, sponsorships, costs, how to provide that your relationship is genuine, health and character, and the entire application process. The booklet can easily be downloaded for free from the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship official website.

You can apply for the Offshore Temporary Partner Visa, which is subclass 309, if you are currently in a relationship or are married to an Australian citizen/resident and you are outside the country when the visa application was lodged. You must also be outside the country when it is granted. Once you have your subclass 309 visa, you can enter the country temporarily, until the duration of your visa. After two years, if you are still in the relationship and living in Australia, you can then apply for the Onshore Temporary Visa, which is subclass 801.

However, there are exceptions to the rule when you apply for the Offshore Partner Visa. You won't have to wait for two years before you can apply for the Offshore Permanent Visa, which is subclass 100, if you comply with the following conditions: If you have been married or in the relationship for three years or more; a minimum of two years if there is a dependent child; or if your partner was granted a Protection or Permanent Visa under the humanitarian program and you were already together or married before the visa was granted to your partner. If you meet any of these requirements, then you can apply for the Offshore Permanent Visa.

The Onshore Temporary Visa, which is subclass 820, can be processed if you are already in Australia with your partner. For example, you are on a student or tourist visa when you filed your application. Once you have this visa granted, you can apply for the Onshore Permanent Visa after two years and you're still together.

If you are still about to get married and you are outside the country, you can apply for the Prospective Marriage Partner Visa, which is subclass 300. This will allow you to enter and leave the country within 9 months. You can then apply for the Onshore Temporary Visa once you get married.

About the Author:

Michael Ma is working as a migration agent assistant at Move Migration, a migration agency aiming to help out people who plan to move to Australia with the help of their expert migration agent. Learn the steps and process of Australia partner visa and other type of visas; and how to make it easier with his informative and very helpful articles.