Partner visa – Subclass 820/801 (onshore) and Subclass 100/309 (offshore)
These visa allow the partner or spouse of an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident to live in Australia. Partner visa is a two stage process (partner temporary and partner permanent visa) with current processing times close to 4 years. In general, you need to prove that you are in a genuine relationship that can be evidenced through financial documents, living arrangements, social context of your relationship and nature of commitment to each other. Depending on your circumstances, this visa can be lodged either in Australia or overseas.
Prospective marriage visa – Subclass 309
Prospective marriage visas are designed for de-facto partners of Australian permanent residents or Citizens to travel to Australia and marry within 9 months of arrival. This visa must be applied for while the applicant is outside of Australia. Upon the visa grant, the applicant must travel to Australia and marry the sponsor (Australian permanent resident or Australian citizen) within 9 months of arrival. The next step is to apply for a partner visa that when granted will allow you to stay in Australia permanently.
