Partner visas in Australia allow Australian citizens and permanent residents in genuine, ongoing relationships to sponsor their partner to live in Australia.
From there, things get a little more complex, partner visas are divided into 2 main categories.
The first is for people who are married or in a de facto relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or (in eligible cases) a New Zealand citizen. This category is then split into two visa subclasses:
Onshore partner visa (Subclass 820) — for applicants who are in Australia on a valid visa when applying.
Offshore partner visa (Subclass 309) — for applicants who are outside Australia at the time of application.
The second category is for people who intend to marry an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or (in eligible cases) a New Zealand citizen.
This pathway is more straightforward and involves only one visa subclass
Yes, you can apply for a Partner Visa even if you are not married.
To qualify, you must show that you are in a de facto relationship, which usually means living together in a genuine and continuing relationship for at least 12 months.
If you haven’t met the 12-month requirement, you may still be eligible if your relationship is registered under state or territory law in Australia. A registered relationship is accepted as evidence of a de facto partnership for visa purposes.
Yes, you can apply for a Partner Visa if you are on a student visa.
When you lodge your Partner Visa application, you’ll automatically receive a Bridging Visa A (BVA). However, your BVA will only become active once your current Student Visa expires, meaning you must continue meeting your student visa conditions, including studying, until that time.
It’s technically possible to request cancellation of your Student Visa, but doing so can lead to being granted a Bridging Visa E (BVE), which often comes with limited work rights and additional compliance risks.
Because this option can affect your lawful status and future visa pathways, you should seek advice from a Registered Migration Agent before taking any action.
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