Partner visas: applying in Australia vs from overseas
Same two-stage visa, same $11,710 fee, very different waiting experience. How the onshore 820/801 and offshore 309/100 pathways compare.
Reviewed MARN 0317382Jul 2026 published6 min read
Both pathways are the same two-stage visa: a temporary partner visa first, a permanent one about two years later, on one application and one fee, $11,710 from 1 July 2026. The difference is where you are when you apply. Apply in Australia (820/801) and you usually wait here on a bridging visa with work rights. Apply from overseas (309/100) and you wait outside Australia, with visits possible on visitor visas.
The two pathways side by side
| Onshore 820/801 | Offshore 309/100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you apply | In Australia | Outside Australia |
| Where you wait | In Australia, usually on a bridging visa with work rights | Outside Australia (visits possible) |
| Application charge | $11,710 | $11,710 |
| Structure | Two stages, one application: temporary first, permanent assessed from about two years after lodging | |
Engaged but not yet married or de facto? The Prospective Marriage (300) visa lets you enter Australia, marry within the visa period, then apply for the 820/801 onshore.
Who counts as a partner
Married partners qualify once the marriage is valid under Australian law, including marriages celebrated overseas. De facto partners generally need to show 12 months of living together as a couple before applying. In NSW and most other states, registering your relationship removes the 12-month requirement, which is often the cleanest fix for newer couples.
The evidence is the application
Partner visas are rarely refused because the relationship isn't real. They are refused because the file doesn't prove it. Home Affairs assesses four pillars: financial (shared accounts, joint commitments), household (living arrangements, shared responsibilities), social (how friends and family see you, travel and events together), and commitment (knowledge of each other, plans, time apart and how you stayed connected). A strong application covers all four with dated, third-party evidence, not just statements.
Why getting it right first matters more now
At $11,710 the partner visa is one of the most expensive applications in the program, and the fee is not refunded on refusal. A refusal can also push you into review territory with its own deadlines and costs. Preparing the evidence properly the first time is much cheaper than fixing a refusal.
General information only, current at 18 July 2026. Not immigration assistance or advice for your circumstances. Visacorp Pty Ltd — MARN 0317382 · 1799004 · 0104178.
Common questions
Can I work while I wait onshore?
Usually yes. Applying onshore typically grants a bridging visa with full work rights once your current visa ends. If you need to travel, you apply for a Bridging Visa B before leaving.
How long does a partner visa take?
It varies widely with the completeness of the application. Home Affairs publishes current global processing times, and most applications take well over a year. A decision-ready application avoids the requests for information that add months.
We have been together less than 12 months. Can we still apply?
Often yes: registering your relationship in your state generally removes the 12-month de facto requirement, or the Prospective Marriage (300) pathway may fit if you plan to marry.
Is the fee really $11,710?
Yes, from 1 July 2026, up from $9,365. It covers both the temporary and permanent stages, but it is not refunded if the application is refused.
Unsure where your situation fits?
Twenty minutes with a registered agent is the fastest way to a straight answer.