Partner Visa 820/801 vs 309/100: Which Pathway Is Right for Your Relationship?
Onshore or offshore is one of the biggest calls in your partner-visa journey. We compare processing times, costs, work rights and conditions so you can choose with confidence.
Onshore or offshore is one of the biggest calls in your partner-visa journey. We compare processing times, costs, work rights and conditions so you can choose with confidence.
- Onshore (820/801) gives immediate work rights via a Bridging Visa A
- Offshore (309/100) has no automatic work rights and is longer (30–42 months)
- Onshore total to PR is ~24–34 months; offshore ~30–42 months
- Sponsor income: ~$35,000+ onshore, ~$40,000+ offshore
- Both need the “four elements” of a genuine, continuing relationship
Australia's partner program runs on two pathways: onshore (820/801), lodged while you're in Australia, and offshore (309/100), lodged from outside. Both end in permanent residency — but the journey differs sharply on work rights, processing time and cost. Your location, finances and timeline decide which fits.
Onshore vs offshore — at a glance
The decision in one table
Onshore — 820 (provisional) then 801 (permanent)
If you're already in Australia on a valid visa, onshore is usually preferred. The temporary 820 grants immediate residence and work rights; after two years of a genuine, continuing relationship you transition to the permanent 801. Direct costs run ~$5,000–$8,000 including agent fees.
Lodging onshore makes you eligible for a Bridging Visa A with full work rights while you wait — huge for financial stability and for building relationship evidence in Australia.
Offshore — 309 (provisional) then 100 (permanent)
Offshore is for applicants outside Australia at lodgement. The 309 lets you travel and remain during processing, then you transition to the permanent 100. It's longer (30–42 months total) and, with the extra work-rights application and higher sponsor income, total costs reach ~$6,000–$10,000.
A 309 does not include work rights by default — you apply separately (~$650–$800), and you cannot work in Australia during the offshore processing phase. A real drawback for couples who rely on dual income.
Sponsorship income & obligations
The Australian partner sponsors you and must show capacity to support: roughly $35,000+ (onshore) or $40,000+ (offshore). Both require a formal support declaration and repayment agreement — the sponsor is responsible for support (2 years for 820, up to 10 for 801) or for repaying any welfare the partner receives. The Department enforces this; breaches carry penalties.
Prove a genuine relationship — the four elements
0/4 doneBecause you live together in Australia through the 820 phase, you accumulate continuous, current evidence — which usually makes the 801 transition smoother than an offshore 100.
So which should you choose?
You’re in Australia on a valid visa, want to work immediately, want faster overall processing, and want to build evidence while here.
You can’t hold a valid visa to stay in Australia, your sponsor has strong finances, and you’re prepared for a longer timeline and a separate work-rights step.
For most couples, onshore is simpler, faster and kinder on the wallet. Offshore is a legitimate, successful route — it’s the right call when you simply can’t be in Australia on a valid visa to lodge.
How long will yours take?
Check typical current processing windows by visa type.
Typical current processing windows by visa type.
Indicative ranges — individual cases vary with documentation & demand.
Wondering how this applies to your situation?
Get an honest, no-obligation read on your pathway from a MARA-registered agent.
People also ask
Can I work while my partner visa is processing?
Onshore: yes — lodging an 820 makes you eligible for a Bridging Visa A with full work rights immediately. Offshore: not automatically — a 309 requires a separate work-rights application, and you cannot work in Australia during the offshore processing phase.
How long does the partner visa take?
Onshore is roughly 24–34 months to permanent residency (820 then 801); offshore is roughly 30–42 months (309 then 100). Times vary with documentation quality and case complexity.
What income does my sponsor need?
Generally about $35,000+ per year for onshore and $40,000+ for offshore, with the sponsor lodging a formal support declaration and repayment agreement.
Which pathway is better?
For most couples onshore is faster, cheaper and simpler. Offshore is the right route when you cannot hold a valid visa to be in Australia at lodgement — it still leads reliably to permanent residency.