5 Types of Spouse Visas
The Australian immigration department has designed 5 types of spouse visas to suit individual situations and needs.
| Visa Subclass | Where You Apply | What It Is | Leads To | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 309 | Outside Australia | Temporary Spouse Visa | Subclass 100 | 9–13 months |
| Subclass 100 | Follows the 309 | Permanent Spouse Visa | Permanent Residency | 13–32 months |
| Subclass 820 | Inside Australia | Temporary Spouse Visa | Subclass 801 | 12–26 months |
| Subclass 801 | Follows the 820 | Permanent Spouse Visa | Permanent Residency | 11–30 months |
| Subclass 300 | Outside Australia | Fiancé Visa | Subclass 820 | 12–26 months |
Important: You apply once and pay one fee. The temporary and permanent stages are bundled into a single application — there is no second fee when you move to the permanent stage.
Subclass 309 — Australia Spouse Visa (Offshore)
The subclass 309 is for applicants who are outside Australia, offshore, at the time of lodgment. If you are based in Bangladesh, this is the visa you apply for. It allows you to live, work, and study in Australia while the Department of Home Affairs monitors your relationship over a two-year period. If you are currently in Australia, then learn about 820 visa.
The Two-Stage Journey
- Stage 1 — Temporary (subclass 309): Live, work, and study in Australia for two years while your relationship is assessed.
- Stage 2 — Permanent (subclass 100): After two years, the Department confirms your relationship is genuine and ongoing, then grants permanent residency.
Requirements for Spouse Visa (Offshore)
- Be outside Australia when applying
- Be married to, or in a genuine de facto relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Show the relationship is genuine and ongoing
- Have a sponsor — your partner must formally sponsor you
- Meet health requirements (medical examination)
- Meet character requirements (police clearance)
- Meet identity requirements
Subclass 100 — Permanent Spouse Visa
Australia spouse visa is the easiest pathway for you to join your Australian Partner. The Subclass 100 is the permanent stage of the offshore pathway. It follows automatically from the Subclass 309 — there is no separate application or additional fee required. Once granted, it gives you the right to live, work, and study in Australia permanently with no end date.
Requirements for Subclass 100
- You must already hold the Subclass 309 visa
- At least two years must have passed since the original application was lodged
- You must still be in a genuine and continuing relationship with the same sponsor
- You and any family members included must continue to meet health and character requirements
Fast-track note: If your relationship was already well-established at the time of applying — typically 3 or more years together, or 2 years if you have a dependent child — you may be granted the 100 visa at the same time as the 309, skipping the two-year wait entirely.
Subclass 820 — Spouse Visa Onshore (Temporary)
The Subclass 820 is for applicants who are already inside Australia when they apply. It allows you to remain in Australia lawfully, work, study, and access Medicare while your permanent residency is being assessed.
Stages of the Onshore Process
- Stage 1 — Temporary (820): Remain in Australia while your relationship is assessed. Work, study, and access Medicare.
- Stage 2 — Permanent (801): After approximately two years, immigration authorities review your situation and grant permanent residency if all requirements are met.
Requirements for Subclass 820
- You must be physically present in Australia at the time of lodging the application
- You must be sponsored by an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- The relationship must be authentic, continuing, and committed
- De facto couples must generally show at least 12 months of living together
- You must satisfy Australian health and character standards
- You must normally hold a valid visa when lodging the application
It is important to know that once you apply for an Australia spouse visa, your current visa will be replaced with a bridging visa unless the 820 visa is approved.
- Bridging Visa A (BVA – Subclass 010): Automatically granted when you apply for a new substantive visa while holding a valid visa. It allows you to stay legally in Australia but does not permit re-entry if you leave the country.
- Bridging Visa B (BVB – Subclass 020): Designed for BVA holders who need to travel outside Australia and return while their new visa application is being processed.
- Bridging Visa C (BVC – Subclass 030): Granted when you apply for a new substantive visa after your previous visa has expired or while holding a bridging visa.
- Bridging Visa E (BVE – Subclass 050/051): An emergency visa for individuals whose visa has expired and who are awaiting a decision or making arrangements to leave Australia legally.
Subclass 801 — Permanent Partner Visa (Onshore)
The Subclass 801 is the permanent stage of the onshore visa pathway. It follows the Subclass 820 and is assessed automatically — no new application or fee is needed. Once granted, you can remain in Australia permanently.
Requirements for Subclass 801
- You must be holding the Subclass 820 visa at the time of assessment
- At least two years must have passed since the original 820/801 application was lodged
- You must still be in a genuine, ongoing relationship with your sponsor
- You must continue to satisfy health and character requirements at the point of decision
Family violence protection: If the relationship ends during the waiting period due to family violence, you may still be eligible for the permanent 801 visa. This is an important protection built into Australian law.
Subclass 300 — Prospective Marriage (Fiancé) Visa
The Subclass 300, also known as the Fiancé Visa, is for couples who are engaged but not yet married. It allows you to travel to Australia, marry your partner within the validity period, and then apply for a Partner Visa to live together permanently.
Key Details
- Must be outside Australia when applying
- You and your partner must intend to marry each other
- The visa is temporary — you must marry within the visa validity period
- After marriage, you apply for the Subclass 820 (onshore) Partner Visa to continue living in Australia
- Processing time is typically 12–26 months