Partner Visa Australia 2026: Onshore vs Offshore

Couples seeking to build a life together in Australia often turn to the partner visa pathway—an avenue that allows spouses and de facto partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia long‐term. With 2026 just ahead, understanding the differences between the onshore (subclass 820/801) and offshore (subclass 309/100) partner visa routes is essential to making the right choice.

In this in-depth guide, every aspect will be covered: from which visa to apply for, how long the process takes, to the critical evidence checklist that decision-makers rely on. Whether a couple is together in Australia or living apart across continents, the right visa pathway and preparation of evidence make all the difference.

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Onshore vs Offshore Partner Visa: What’s the Difference?

Onshore (820/801)

The onshore pathway applies when the applicant is in Australia at the time of lodging. The subclass 820 is the temporary stage, followed by the 801 permanent stage once eligibility is met. According to the official Department of Home Affairs (DHA) site, applicants must be in Australia when applying for the 820.
Key feature: A bridging visa is typically granted, enabling the applicant to stay, work and study in Australia while waiting.
Timing note: Recent updates show processing times for the 820 visa roughly range from 12–26 months, followed by the 801 stage taking 11–30 months.

Offshore (309/100)

The offshore route is taken by couples where the applicant is outside Australia at the time of lodgment. The subclass 309 is the temporary stage, followed by the 100 permanent stage after assessment.
Key feature: No bridging visa, meaning applicants will wait for a decision before entering Australia under the partner visa.
Timing note: Processing benchmarks show 9–13 months for 309 and 13–32 months for the 100 stage.

Which is “faster”?

Contrary to common belief, being inside Australia doesn’t guarantee the quicker pathway. As one migration law overview notes, while onshore applications offer the benefit of co-residence, both routes can vary widely in timing depending on application completeness, evidence strength and individual circumstances.

Timing, Stages & Processing Time Estimates

The partner visa process is a two-stage affair no matter the route: temporary → permanent. Here’s a breakdown:

Onshore (820 → 801): Lodge 820 while in Australia. After about 2 years or more, if the relationship is still genuine and ongoing, the 801 may be granted. Recent data: 820 processing sits roughly 12–26 months; 801 may add another 11–30 months.
Offshore (309 → 100): Lodge 309 from outside Australia. Once the 309 is granted, the applicant may enter Australia, live with the sponsoring partner, and after 2 years (or meets criteria) apply for 100. Processing times: 9–13 months (309) plus 13–32 months (100) in many cases.

Important factors influencing timing:

Completeness and accuracy of the application (missing forms, unexplained gaps, invalid docs).
Strength of relationship evidence (see next section).
Applicants’ prior visa history, separation periods, sponsor eligibility, health or character issues.
Per the migration lawyer commentary: “Well-prepared applications can facilitate smoother assessments, regardless of onshore/offshore status.”

Evidence Checklist: What the Department Looks For

Central to any partner visa application is proving the relationship is genuine and continuing. The DHA assesses four key “pillars”: financial aspects, nature of household, social aspects, and nature of commitment.

Here is a sample evidence breakdown:

Financial Aspects

Joint bank accounts, shared credit cards, joint household bills (rent/mortgage).
Evidence of support, e.g., one partner helping the other financially.
Shared purchases or assets.
These demonstrate mutual financial responsibility and interdependence.

Nature of Household

Lease/mortgage in both names, mail addressed jointly, living arrangements.
Domestic support statements (who cooks, cleans, pays bills).
This shows how the household functions as a unit.

Social Aspects

Photos of the couple together over time, with family/friends.
Travel bookings, event invites addressed to both.
Statutory declarations (Form 888) from friends/family who know the couple’s relationship.
This demonstrates the relationship is socially recognized and public.

Nature of Commitment

Evidence of long-term plans: wills listing the partner, joint investments, future travel/career plans.
Communication during separations, shared goals.
This shows the relationship is lasting and committed, not just transactional.

Onshore vs Offshore: Evidence nuance

Whether applying onshore or offshore, the evidence expectations remain the same—but practical differences matter. Offshore applicants might provide more separation history, while onshore applicants may need bridging visa evidence and residence proof together. Using the checklist from migration experts can help tailor documents to the specific route.

Onshore vs Offshore: Pros & Cons

Route	Advantages	Disadvantages
Onshore	Stay in Australia with sponsor while assessment; accessible bridging visa.	Large application volumes may slow processing; visa limitations if relationship ends.
Offshore	Potentially faster first grant; ability to finish affairs overseas.	Separation from partner while waiting; no bridging visa.

Choosing the best route depends on where the couple currently resides, the partner’s visa status, the urgency of moving together, and readiness to provide strong evidence.

Application Costs & Other Critical Considerations

As of 2026, visa charges for partner subclass have continued to increase. The generic fee for a main applicant for partner visas is around AUD 9,095, with further dependent charges.
Cost considerations:

Medical and character checks (sponsor & applicant).
Gathering evidence (translations, statutory declarations).
Migration agent fees if formal advice is sought.

Other obligations:

Sponsor must meet integrity obligations (e.g., no substantial sponsor debts, no sponsorships for certain prior refusals).
Maintain the relationship; if the partnership ends before permanent grant, the application may be refused (exceptions apply for children, DV cases).

Strategy for a Smooth Application: 2026 Tips

Plan early, document the relationship with you partner from now—photos, travel, communication history.
Choose the route based on current location, visa status of both partners and urgency of reunification.
Meet eligibility for both temporary and permanent stages (fear of delays often stems from incomplete evidence).
Mind the timing: Onshore applications often come with bridging visas; offshore processing may allow you to stay abroad longer but reunited later.
Organize documents into the four pillars before lodgment; tailor to onshore/offshore specifics.
Keep records during processing—if new evidence emerges while waiting, update the department via ImmiAccount.
Avoid common pitfalls like poor evidence, lengthy unexplained gaps, or working/visiting illegally.
Monitor processing times — published benchmarks help set realistic expectations.

Call to Action

If you and your partner are preparing for an Australian partner visa, share this article with each other and get started today on collecting your evidence. Consider setting up a shared folder for photos, statements and official documents—and subscribe for updates on processing times and policy changes. A smooth journey to living together in Australia starts with being fully prepared.

Wrapping Up

Navigating the Partner Visa Australia 2026 landscape means mastering two decisions: whether to apply onshore (820/801) or offshore (309/100), and how to prepare the relationship evidence that the Department of Home Affairs will assess. With careful preparation and the right route, couples significantly increase their chances of success.

By being fully aware of processing timelines, costs, and the evidence categories that matter most, you and your partner can confidently move forward—knowing you’re not just meeting requirements, but building your future in Australia together.