Australia Spouse of a citizen

Two-stage partner visa for the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, applied for outside Australia. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What you must show and pay

• A fee of AUD 11,710 (≈ $8,150) · Base visa application charge for most applicants; payable at the time of application, with nothing further due before grant. ⁴
• A fee of AUD 9,600 (≈ $6,680) · Base application charge for applicants holding a passport of a Pacific-regional country, including Timor-Leste. ⁴
• A fee of AUD 5,860 (≈ $4,080) · Additional applicant charge for each included applicant aged 18 or over; AUD 2,935 (≈ $2,040) for those under 18. ⁴

Requirements

• Applicant is the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. ^{1 2}
• A de facto couple must have lived in the relationship for at least 12 months before applying unless compelling circumstances apply or the relationship is registered. ⁴
• Both partners in a de facto relationship are at least 18. ⁴
• The sponsor is approved as a sponsor and sponsorship is in force; the sponsor is at least 18 or sponsored through a parent or guardian. ¹
• A sponsor can have sponsored at most one other partner, with 5 years since that application, unless compelling circumstances affect the sponsor. ⁴
• Applicant meets the character, security and health criteria, and an applicant aged 18 or over meets the values criterion. ¹
• Visa application charge: AUD 11,710 (≈ $8,150) base application charge, AUD 9,600 (≈ $6,680) for passports of Pacific-regional countries including Timor-Leste, paid at application. ⁴
• Additional applicant charge of AUD 5,860 (≈ $4,080) applies for each included applicant aged 18 or over and AUD 2,935 (≈ $2,040) for those under 18. ⁴
• Application and documents are lodged online through ImmiAccount using the checklist for the visa. ³
• Sponsor police certificates are provided with the sponsorship form. ³
• Temporary 309 and permanent 100 visas are applied for together as one application. ¹
• Applicant is outside Australia when applying and may be inside or outside Australia when the 309 is granted, but not in immigration clearance. ^{1 5}
• Health examinations can be completed after applying and the results stay valid for 12 months. ³
• The permanent Partner (Migrant) visa 100 is assessed at least 2 years after the application was made. ⁵
• The 309 stays in effect until the 100 decision, and the application can continue if the sponsor dies or after family violence. ^{5 2}

Stay

• The temporary 309 visa lasts until the permanent 100 application is decided; the 100 is assessed no earlier than 2 years after the application.

Nationality

Open to all nationalities.

Family

Dependent children can be included on the application with an additional applicant charge.

Checked 2026-10-12

Official sources

1. Partner visa (apply overseas) (subclass 309 and 100) · Department of Home Affairs, Australia · checked 2026-10-11
2. Family Migration program: About partner visas · Department of Home Affairs, Australia · checked 2026-10-12
3. Partner Visa Frequently Asked Questions · Department of Home Affairs, Australia · checked 2026-10-12
4. Migration Regulations 1994 (compilation current at 1 July 2026): Part 1 definitions, Schedule 1 visa application charges · Federal Register of Legislation · checked 2026-10-10
5. Migration Regulations 1994, Schedule 2 (points system notes: pass marks set by ministerial instrument under section 96) · Federal Register of Legislation · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-07-01
6. Australian Citizenship Act 2007, section 22 (general residence requirement) · Federal Register of Legislation, Australian Government · checked 2026-10-11