The Partner Visa Subclass 309 (Offshore) is a temporary visa that provides a pathway to permanent residency in Australia. It allows eligible applicants to live, work, and study in Australia while their permanent Partner Visa (Subclass 100) application is being processed.
This visa also allows you to travel to and from Australia multiple times while the visa remains valid. Eligible applicants may be able to access Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system, after meeting the relevant eligibility requirements.
To apply for the Subclass 309 visa, you must be outside Australia at the time of application. When applying, you generally lodge applications for both the Subclass 309 (temporary) and Subclass 100 (permanent) Partner Visas together. The temporary visa is assessed first, and after the required assessment period, you may be asked to provide additional evidence for the permanent Subclass 100 visa.
At Shanovia Immigration, we provide personalised guidance and professional assistance throughout the Partner Visa application process, from eligibility assessment and document preparation to application lodgement and ongoing support.
Partner Visa Subclass 309 Requirements
To be eligible for the Partner Visa Subclass 309, applicants must generally meet the following requirements.
Immigration History
The Department of Home Affairs will consider your previous immigration history, including any visa refusals or cancellations. These may affect your eligibility for the visa.
Outside Australia at the Time of Application
You must be outside Australia when you lodge your Subclass 309 application. Any family members included in your application should also generally be outside Australia at the time of application.
Have an Eligible Sponsor
You must be sponsored by an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. The sponsorship must remain valid throughout the relevant stages of the application process.
Age Requirement
Applicants who are married must generally be 18 years of age or older at the time of application.
Relationship Requirements
You must be the spouse or de facto partner of an eligible sponsor.
For married applicants, the marriage must be legally valid under Australian law, and the relationship must be genuine and continuing.
For de facto partners, you must demonstrate that:
- You are in a genuine and continuing de facto relationship.
- You have a mutual commitment to a shared life together.
- You are not related by family.
Health and Character Requirements
Applicants and any included family members must meet Australia’s health and character requirements. This usually involves medical examinations and police clearance certificates.
In some cases, the Department may also request health information from family members who are not migrating to Australia.
No Outstanding Government Debt
You and any included family members should not have outstanding debts to the Australian Government, or appropriate arrangements must be made to repay any debt.
Australian Values Statement
Applicants aged 18 years or older may be required to sign the Australian Values Statement, confirming that they will respect Australian laws and values.
Best Interests of the Child
For applicants under 18 years of age, the Department must be satisfied that granting the visa is in the best interests of the child.
Partner Visa Subclass 309 Application Process
Step 1: Prepare Your Documents
Before applying, gather all required supporting documents. Complete applications with strong evidence are generally processed more efficiently.
Common documents include:
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- National identity documents
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- De facto relationship evidence
- Joint financial documents
- Shared accommodation evidence
- Communication records
- Travel history
- Photographs together
- Police clearance certificates
Documents that are not in English should be translated by an authorised translator.
Step 2: Lodge the Visa Application
Applications are generally lodged online through ImmiAccount while the applicant is outside Australia.
Step 3: Visa Decision
The Department of Home Affairs will assess your application and may request additional information if required.
You may be inside or outside Australia when a decision is made on the Subclass 309 visa application, depending on your circumstances.
If the visa is granted, you will receive your visa grant details, including the visa grant number and any applicable visa conditions.
Partner Visa Subclass 309 Processing Time
Processing times vary depending on individual circumstances and the quality of the application.
Many applications are processed within 6 to 32 months, although processing times can change based on:
- The complexity of the case
- The completeness of the application
- The strength of relationship evidence
- Health and character assessments
- Requests for additional information
Partner Visa Subclass 309 Document Checklist
Applicants may need to provide documents such as:
Applicant Documents
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Evidence of shared accommodation
- Lease agreements
- Mortgage or property documents
- Joint bank account statements
- Joint financial records
- Utility bills
- Relationship evidence
- Communication records
- Travel evidence
Dependent Children
Additional documents may be required for any dependent children included in the application.
Sponsor Documents
The sponsor may need to provide:
- Passport
- Evidence of Australian citizenship or permanent residency
- Employment evidence
- Identity documents
Health and Character Documents
- Police clearance certificates
- Medical examination reports
- Any additional documents requested by the Department of Home Affairs
Why Choose Shanovia Immigration for Your Partner Visa Subclass 309?
Applying for a Partner Visa Subclass 309 can be a detailed and time-consuming process. At Shanovia Immigration, our experienced migration professionals provide personalised support to help you prepare a strong and well-documented application.
We assist with:
- Eligibility assessment
- Relationship evidence preparation
- Document organisation
- Application preparation
- Lodgement support
- Ongoing communication during processing
Our goal is to make the Partner Visa process as smooth and stress-free as possible while helping you present a well-prepared application.
Conclusion
The Partner Visa Subclass 309 (Offshore) provides an important pathway for eligible partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens to build their future together in Australia.
At Shanovia Immigration, we are committed to guiding you through every stage of the Partner Visa process with professional advice, careful preparation, and dedicated support.
