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Partner Visas

The Australian Partner Visa allows foreign de facto partners or spouses of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia.

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Benefits

Access to Medicare

Unrestricted Work Rights

Pathway to Permanent Residency

Single Visa Application Charge

Allows for unlimited travel in and out of Australia

Access to Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)

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Please answer the below section to check your eligibility for an Australian Partner Visa

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Types of Partner Visas

There are two types of Partner Visas:

Onshore Partner Visa

Subclass 820 Partner Visa (Temporary)

This visa is applied for whilst in Australia and will permit you to remain in Australia with your partner/spouse until a decision is made on your permanent Partner visa (subclass 801).

Offshore Partner Visa

Subclass 309 Partner visa (provisional)

This visa is applied for from outside Australia and will allow you to live temporarily in Australia until a decision is made on your permanent Partner visa (subclass 100).

Partner Visa Strategies

At Augustine & Co., we endeavour to provide you with a strategic action plan that serves as a solution piece to all your specific immigration needs and desires. The following are common partner visa strategies that we often utilise:

Strategy 1

Apply for an Onshore Partner Visa with Full Working Rights

If you are in Australia and hold a valid substantive visa, you may make a combined application for Subclass 820/801 Partner visas in Australia, before your visa expires. This will entitle you to full work rights and access to Medicare.

Strategy 2

Apply for an Onshore Partner Visa from a Bridging Visa

If you are in Australia, but not a holder of a substantive visa, you may still be able to apply for Subclass 820/801 Partner visas in certain circumstances.

In this case, we may be able to assist you by preparing your Partner Visa application, Schedule 3 Waiver and Work Rights application if applicable.

Strategy 3

Apply for a Tourist Visa followed by an application for an Onshore Partner Visa

We may recommend applying for an alternative visa to come to Australia with/without your partner/spouse. Once you are onshore, you may be able to apply for the Subclass 820/801 visas and receive a bridging visa with access to Medicare and full work rights.

Strategy 4

Apply for an Offshore Partner Visa followed by a Tourist Visa Application

If you are unable to obtain an alternate visa to come to Australia, depending on your specific circumstances, we may recommend applying for the offshore Subclass 309/100 visas followed by a Tourist visa application if your partner/spouse is in Australia, and you would like to visit them as soon as possible.

Each strategy that we recommend is catered towards your unique circumstances based on Australia’s complex immigration policy and legislative requirements. Therefore, we recommend that you schedule a consultation with us to discuss your visa matter, before applying.

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If you’re still not sure where to start or you need more guidance, then schedule a call with one of our immigration lawyers. Simply click on the link below and you’ll be able to select a date & time that fits your schedule.
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How do Partner Visas Work?

The application process involves two stages:

The first stage would involve an in-depth assessment of all vital aspects of a genuine and continuing relationship which would lead to a decision being made on the temporary partner visa application.

Once the temporary partner visa is granted, the applicant is eligible to apply for the second stage, which is the permanent residency visa application, usually two years from the date of lodgement of the temporary partner visa application.

Exceptions to the 2 year Partner Visa Timeline

In accordance with Departmental policy, decision-makers are able to grant permanent residency at the initial application stage, if a couple has been in a long-term de facto/spousal relationship. The Department defines a long-term relationship as:

  • being in a relationship for at least 3 years; or
  • having a dependent child (other than a
    stepchild) from the relationship between the applicant and the sponsor.

As such, if you have been in a long-term relationship and/or have a child together, you may be eligible for permanent residency through the partner visa route in a much shorter timeframe.

Partner Visa Melbourne

Current processing Time

The general processing times set by the Department for a Partner Visa are as follows:

309 PROCESSING TIMES

75% of applications: 18 months
90% of applications: 26 months

820 PROCESSING TIMES

75% of applications: 24 months
90% of applications: 31 months

Individual processing times for any given application may vary depending on an applicant’s specific circumstances, their country of origin, as well as the quality of the application lodged with the Department of Home Affairs, i.e. a decision ready application in compliance with all legislative and policy criteria.

Did you know?

Numerous partner visa applications lodged by Augustine & Co. over the years have been processed and decided on a much faster than average time frame. If you wish for a smooth and speedy visa application process, we strongly recommend engaging the services of an immigration professional who will not only be able to provide specialist legal advice throughout the process but will continue to provide representation post lodgement until a decision is made on your application. Book a consult and discuss your eligibility with one of our solicitors today!
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Partner Visa Costs

When you apply for a partner/spouse visa, irrespective of where you apply from, you are taken to have applied for both the temporary and the permanent partner visas together, even though in practice, you will need to make a separate application for the second stage.

Hence, you are not required to pay any additional visa fees when lodging your permanent partner visa application.

  • 820/801 or 309/100 Partner Visa Application AUD 7,850

    Paid directly to the Department of Home Affairs at time of application: Visa application fee of $7,850 for the main applicant, $3,930 for any dependents over 18, and $1,965 for each child under 18.

  • Medical Examination Approx AUD 350

    Paid directly to the panel clinic/hospital that undertakes the medical examination for the applicants.

  • Police Checks Cost Varies

    Paid directly to the relevant authorities that issue national/state level police/character checks of the applicants.

Upcoming Partner Visa Changes (2021)

The Department of Home Affairs will be introducing a new sponsorship framework, requiring sponsors to be approved before their partners/spouses can apply for a Partner visa. These new changes are set to come into effect in or around November 2021.

What are the Proposed Changes?

New reforms will require partner visa applications to meet:

  • English language requirement for permanent resident sponsors and Partner visa applicants; and
  • Applying the sponsorship framework set out in the Migration Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Act 2018 to the Partner visa program. This means the sponsorship application will be assessed separately and will need to be approved before a valid Partner visa application can be lodged.

What are The Implications of these changes?

This change will adversely impact onshore Partner visa applicants who want to lodge a partner visa application before their substantive visas expire. 

Additionally, the changes will also require the applicant and the sponsor to demonstrate a functional level of English or demonstrate that they have made reasonable efforts to learn English in order to acclimate to the Australian community.

What Our Clients Think

We are most proud of our client relationships… Satisfied clients are the most important thing for us – so here’s what they have to say….

I'm from Singapore and I received my Partner (subclass 820) visa grant a few days ago! My fiance and I couldn't be happier as it came just in time for our wedding! The best gift we could ever ask for! It was a blessing to have Calvin give us legal advice on the steps to take before applying for the most suitable visa. From the very beginning, Calvin listened closely to our needs and he understood our circumstances.When we were worried or unsure about the application, he gave us reassurance and put our minds at ease by acting on it immediately. He was knowledgeable and professional in effectively communicating important information with us. He answered all the questions we had with clarity and confidence. It has been a great journey thus far! Thank you Augustine &Co for your efficient work and for helping me get closer to my Australian dream!
Victoriya
VictoriyaSingapore
My partner and I recently got approved for a partner visa 801. Thanks to Alfe and her partner Calvin. Alfe was reassuring and responsive to my emails, she also made sure the process was smooth. I recommend Augustine & Co. for your immigration needs and assistance.
Michelle
MichelleMelbourne, VIC
It was a pleasure working with Calvin and his team. Given the circumstances of moving to a new country under many COVID restrictions, Calvin made the transition as easy (and fast) as possible for me! I would definitely recommend him!
Bugs
BugsBrooklyn, NY
My 820 partner visa was granted yesterday. I am very lucky to have Calvin and his team handling my case. My case was very complicated, and I had met six different migration agents and lawyers. They all said my cases would not work and not even worth a shot. My old migration agent had even tricked me and wasted me so much money. Then I met Calvin and his team, they were very organized, knowledgeable, and reliable. I am very grateful to Augustine & Co. that I can finally achieve my dream after 6 years in Australia. If you are looking for a reliable migration lawyer or have a complicated case, I would highly recommend Calvin.
Sherry
SherryMelbourne, VIC
I was introduced to Calvin and his team in March of 2020 by an immigration attorney that I had worked with as US legal counsel for an Australian company. From the initial consultation related to my 309 Partner Visa (including my son) through an uncertain future and potential for unexpected bumps along the way, Calvin and his team provided nothing but exceptional advice, professionalism, availability, and knowledge regarding all of the steps and best path forward for my visa. We lodged my visa at the end of April, 2021 and by mid-July, 2021, my visa was granted! My son and I have our bags packed and ready to start our new adventure with my partner this coming September, 2021.
David
DavidConnecticut, USA
My wife and I worked with Augustine & Co for her partner Visa and had a great experience. Calvin and the team helped us navigate an extremely complicated application and had our confidence throughout the entire process. In the end, our application was approved without any issues. We are extremely grateful for the support they provided - I would certainly recommend them to friends!
Matthew
MatthewRhode Island, USA
Calvin and his team are amazing. From the first phone call, I knew we would form a great team towards achieving our goal, obtaining my subclass 309-100 partner visa. Calvin is extremely knowledgeable, very helpful, responsive to my multiple questions and always gave sound advice. I would recommend Augustine and Co to anyone seeking professional immigration advice.
Maxim
MaximBelgium
Five stars out of five. Calvin was a clear communicator and always quick to respond to any questions we had.He is very patient and professional. We received our visa to Australia much quicker than expected. Highly recommend Calvin’s legal services to anyone in the US and abroad!
Michael & Ali
Michael & AliNew York City, NY
I really appreciate all your help and I was incredibly happy with my experience. Looking back, I was a bit overwhelmed at the time - moving to a new country, finding a new apartment - meanwhile I was still working US hours with US clients. It was a lot, but your team handled the whole partner visa process seamlessly! It was all very appreciated. Thanks again for everything!
Matt M.
Matt M.Brooklyn, NY
My fiancé and I couldn't be happier with this great news. It's been quite a journey!! J and I really appreciate the hard work you have all put in. We can finally breathe now that the visa is granted! Thank you Augustine & Co. for your outstanding work! We are so blessed!
Joel A.
Joel A.Melbourne, VIC
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Disclaimer: The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Further, this info is subject to constant change based on any changes in the law, and therefore, is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute a solicitor-client relationship. The reader should consult with an immigration lawyer prior to lodging any application as each lawful case may be different.

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