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SUBCLASS 309 VISA
Subclass 309 Partner (Provisional) Visa Australia
Reunite with your spouse or de facto partner in Australia under the offshore partner visa Australia program. As a MARA registered agent partner visa 309 team, we evaluate your eligibility, audit four-pillar relationship evidence, guide you on what happens after subclass 309 visa is granted, and manage your seamless transition to permanent residency.
96%
Agency Approval Rate
Full Rights
Work & Study in Australia
12–24 Mo.
Typical Processing Time
PR Pathway
Leads to Subclass 100 PR
CORE CRITERIA
Subclass 309 Eligibility Requirements
Who is eligible for subclass 309 visa? The partner visa 309 Australia is an offshore provisional visa. To lodge a valid application, both the applicant and sponsoring partner must satisfy strict Department of Home Affairs criteria.
Offshore Presence
You must be physically outside Australia when lodging your application and when the temporary Subclass 309 visa is granted.
Married or De Facto Status
You must be legally married to your sponsor under Australian law OR in a genuine de facto relationship for at least 12 months (or hold a state relationship registration).
Eligible Australian Sponsor
Your partner must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen aged 18+ who passes police character checks and sponsorship limit rules.
Genuine & Continuing Relationship
You must prove a mutual commitment to a shared life together to the exclusion of all others, supported by objective four-pillar documentation.
Four-Pillar Evidence Standard
Your relationship must be verified across financial aspects, household division, social recognition, and mutual long-term commitment.
Health & Character Checks
You and any included dependent children must satisfy mandatory Australian Bupa medical examinations and international police clearances.
Avoid Common Disqualifying Mistakes: Submitting de facto relationship claims with less than 12 months of cohabitation evidence without a formal relationship registration, lodging while physically inside Australia, or sponsor character check breaches can lead to immediate visa refusal and loss of your AUD 11,710 government fee.
STEP-BY-STEP
How We Handle Your Subclass 309 Application
Our end-to-end agency management ensures your offshore application is decision-ready, securing your arrival in Australia with full work rights while protecting your path to permanent residency.
01
Relationship Audit & Offshore Strategy
We review your cohabitation history, overseas residency, and sponsor character eligibility to confirm a strong subclass 309 strategy.
02
Four-Pillars Evidence Assembly
We compile your joint financial records, cohabitation proofs, social evidence (Form 888s), and long-term commitment declarations.
03
ImmiAccount Digital Lodgement
We lodge your combined 309/100 application online while you are outside Australia, managing the AUD 11,710 government fee and sponsor form.
04
309 Grant & Australian Entry
Upon grant, you can enter Australia immediately with unrestricted work, study, and Medicare enrollment rights while awaiting your permanent decision.
05
Subclass 100 PR Transition
Two years after your original lodgement date, we prepare and lodge your updated relationship evidence for the permanent Subclass 100 PR grant.
EVIDENCE CHECKLIST
What Evidence is Needed for Subclass 309 Visa?
A successful offshore partner visa Australia application requires robust documentation across the Department's mandatory four pillars.
Financial & Household Pillar
- Joint bank account statements showing active shared household expenses
- Joint residential tenancy agreements, mortgage, or property deeds
- International money transfers or shared financial commitments
- Written statutory statement detailing division of domestic responsibilities
Social & Commitment Pillar
- Form 888 statutory declarations from at least two adult witnesses
- Joint travel receipts, flight itineraries, and social photos over time
- Communication logs showing regular contact when spending time apart
- Mutual wills, superannuation beneficiary nominations, and future plans
Identity, Sponsor & Legal Proofs
- Valid passport bio-data pages for applicant & Australian sponsor
- Official marriage certificate OR state relationship registration certificate
- Divorce decrees or legal separation papers from prior marriages
- International police clearances for all countries lived in for 12+ months
INVESTMENT & TIMELINES
Costs & Processing Schedule (Updated 1 July 2026)
We believe in transparent budgeting so couples understand exactly what government application charges, entry rights, and professional fees to plan for.
Department of Home Affairs Fees
AUD 11,710
How much does subclass 309 visa cost? Subclass 309 cost is AUD 11,710 for the primary applicant. This single fee covers both the temporary Subclass 309 stage and the permanent Subclass 100 stage. Additional fees apply for dependent family members (~$2,935 to $5,860).
* Fees are set by the Department and subject to change — confirm current fees during your initial assessment.
Our Agency Service Fee
Case-Dependent
Our professional service fees are tailored to the specific complexity of your case. We evaluate your unique relationship history, overseas cohabitation records, sponsor eligibility, and future 100 transition before providing a clear, fixed-quote quotation without hourly billing.
* Our fee covers four-pillar evidence audits, sponsor applications, entry guidance, and full representation.
Typical Processing Timelines
12 – 24 Months
How long does subclass 309 visa take? Subclass 309 processing time generally ranges between 12 to 24 months. Once granted, can I enter Australia on subclass 309 visa? Yes, you can travel to Australia immediately with full unrestricted work and study rights.
* Decision-ready applications with structured evidence tend to be processed significantly faster.
MARN 2619225
Why Work With a Registered Agent for Subclass 309?
What is subclass 309 partner visa? It is a high-stakes, two-stage offshore visa application representing a major financial and personal milestone. Because the government fee is AUD 11,710 and non-refundable upon refusal, lodging an offshore application requires absolute legal precision regarding overseas cohabitation evidence, 12-month de facto rules, and sponsor character compliance.
A frequent cause of visa refusal or extended processing delay is submitting unorganized, self-certified evidence—such as photo albums without joint financial statements, or failing to prove genuine continuing commitment when couples have spent periods of time apart across different countries. Furthermore, sponsors with prior sponsorship histories often face strict statutory limitation bans unless a compelling waiver is professionally argued.
As a MARA registered agent partner visa 309 team in Melbourne, we represent couples across Australia and overseas. We conduct a forensic pre-lodgement audit of your four-pillar relationship evidence, verify sponsor eligibility, explain is subclass 309 visa temporary or permanent, and manage your seamless transition to permanent residency—ensuring complete peace of mind throughout your journey.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear, direct answers regarding the Subclass 309 Partner Visa, costs, eligibility, Australian entry, and permanent transition.
What is subclass 309 partner visa?
The Subclass 309 Partner (Provisional) Visa is an offshore temporary visa that allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to enter and live in Australia while awaiting evaluation for permanent residency.
Is subclass 309 visa temporary or permanent?
The Subclass 309 visa is a temporary (provisional) visa. It is the first stage of a combined two-stage offshore partner visa application. Once granted, it remains active until a decision is made on your permanent Subclass 100 visa application, which is evaluated two years after your original lodgement date.
Who is eligible for subclass 309 visa?
Subclass 309 eligibility requires you to be physically outside Australia when applying, married to or in a genuine de facto relationship (minimum 12 months cohabitation or registered relationship) with an eligible Australian sponsor, and satisfy all health and character standards.
How much does subclass 309 visa cost?
The Department of Home Affairs primary applicant government application fee for the Subclass 309 visa is AUD 11,710. This combined fee covers both the temporary Subclass 309 stage and the permanent Subclass 100 stage. Additional charges apply for dependent family members included in the application.
How long does subclass 309 visa take?
Processing time for the Subclass 309 visa generally ranges between 12 to 24 months. Applications submitted with comprehensive, decision-ready 'four pillars' relationship evidence are regularly processed much faster by the Department of Home Affairs.
Can I enter Australia on subclass 309 visa?
Yes. Once your Subclass 309 visa is granted, you can enter Australia immediately and live, work, and study with full unrestricted rights while awaiting your permanent Subclass 100 assessment.
What evidence is needed for subclass 309 visa?
The Department evaluates evidence across 'four pillars': Financial Aspects (joint accounts, money transfers, shared assets), Household Nature (cohabitation setup, joint bills), Social Aspects (travel records, photos, Form 888 statements), and Mutual Commitment (communication logs when apart, wills, long-term plans).
What happens after subclass 309 visa is granted?
After the Subclass 309 visa is granted, you can travel to Australia to live with your partner, work without restriction, study, and enroll in Medicare. Exactly two years from your original application lodgement date, you become eligible to submit updated relationship evidence to transition to your permanent Subclass 100 visa.
Ready to Apply for Your Subclass 309 Visa Offshore?
Speak directly with registered MARN migration agents in Melbourne. Send us a message on WhatsApp to discuss Subclass 309 eligibility, four-pillar evidence, and your reunification timeline.