At Opera Education and Migration, we understand how important it is to reunite families and partners. If your spouse or de facto partner is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, you may be eligible to live in Australia under the Partner Visa program, which includes both temporary and permanent visa stages.

Overview of the Partner Visa Program

This visa stream enables eligible partners to live in Australia through a two-stage process:

  • Partner (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 309
  • Partner (Migrant) Visa – Subclass 100

Both visas are applied for at the same time. The provisional visa (Subclass 309) is granted first, followed by the permanent visa (Subclass 100) after further assessment.

Partner (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 309

The Subclass 309 visa is the initial step toward permanent residency. It allows the applicant to:

  • Live, work, and study in Australia temporarily
  • Travel in and out of Australia without restrictions during the visa period
  • Access free English classes under the Adult Migrant English Program (if eligible)

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible, you must:

  • Be 18 years or older
  • Be in a genuine and ongoing relationship (spouse or de facto) with your Australian partner
  • Have a valid marriage under Australian law (if married)
  • Be outside Australia when applying for this visa
  • Be sponsored by your partner, who will continue to sponsor you for two years after the visa is granted

Cost & Processing Time

  • Visa fee starts from AUD $7,850 (covers both subclass 309 & 100)
  • Processing time: Approximately 5 to 29 months

Partner (Migrant) Visa – Subclass 100

Once you hold the temporary visa (Subclass 309), you may become eligible for the Subclass 100 permanent visa, usually after two years from the initial application.

What You Can Do with Subclass 100

  • Live, work, and study in Australia permanently
  • Access Medicare, Australia’s public health care system
  • Sponsor family members to join you in Australia
  • Travel freely in and out of Australia for five years from the visa grant
  • Attend free English classes (if eligible)

Eligibility Criteria

You must:

  • Hold a Subclass 309 visa
  • Continue in a genuine and ongoing relationship with your partner
  • Usually, two years must have passed since the original application
  • Meet health, character, and relationship requirements

Note: Visa approval may be affected if the applicant is under 18 and it’s determined that the visa is not in their best interest.

Processing Time

  • Approximately 12 to 18 months from eligibility assessment

How Opera Education and Migration Can Help

Navigating the partner visa process can be complex. Our experienced team is here to:

  • Guide you through each stage of your visa application
  • Ensure all documentation is accurate and complete
  • Support you with expert advice and personalised service

📞 Contact us today to book a free consultation and take the first step toward starting your life together in Australia.