The Partner visa (offshore) – Subclass 100 is the permanent visa stage of Australia’s Partner visa pathway. It is the next stage following the temporary Partner (Provisional) visa (Subclass 309). It allows eligible visa holders to become permanent residents of Australia.
One important point to understand is that the Subclass 100 visa is usually not a completely new visa application. The temporary Subclass 309 visa and permanent Subclass 100 visa are generally applied for at the same time. The permanent stage is normally assessed after two years from the date of the original application.
What Is the Subclass 100 Partner Visa?
The Subclass 100 visa is a permanent Partner visa for the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
It forms part of Australia’s offshore Partner visa pathway:
| Stage | Visa | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Subclass 309 | Temporary/Provisional Partner visa |
| Stage 2 | Subclass 100 | Permanent Partner visa |
Normally, the applicant applies for both stages at the same time while outside Australia. If you are already in Australia when applying for a Partner visa, the usual pathway is Subclass 820 → Subclass 801, rather than 309 → 100.
Who Can Apply for Subclass 100?
The permanent stage is generally relevant to applicants who:
- hold a Subclass 309 Partner (Provisional) visa, or in some circumstances meet the requirements associated with a Subclass 445 Dependent Child visa;
- have reached the relevant permanent-stage assessment point;
- continue to satisfy the applicable relationship requirements; and
- provide the information and evidence requested by the Department of Home Affairs.
The Subclass 100 stage is therefore primarily for applicants who have progressed through the offshore Partner visa pathway.
Subclass 100 Requirements
1. You Must Hold the Required Temporary Visa
The normal offshore Partner visa pathway is:
The Department of Home Affairs generally requires the applicant to hold a Subclass 309 Partner visa or satisfy the applicable requirements associated with a Subclass 445 visa holder.
2. Two Years Must Normally Have Passed
In most cases, permanent-stage assessment can take place two years after the original application for the Subclass 309 and Subclass 100 visas.
The two-year period generally starts from the date the original application was lodged, rather than the date the Subclass 309 visa was granted. The application date can be checked through ImmiAccount.
There are circumstances in which the permanent visa may be granted earlier, including certain long-term relationship circumstances and specific humanitarian-sponsor situations. These circumstances have their own requirements and should not be assumed to apply to every applicant.
3. Your Relationship Generally Needs to Continue
You will generally need to remain married to or in a de facto relationship with the same sponsoring partner.
There are circumstances where a relationship may have ended or a sponsor may have passed away and the Department may still consider the permanent visa application. These can include circumstances covered by family violence provisions.
These situations are highly specific and should be assessed according to the individual circumstances of the case.
4. You Need Updated Relationship Evidence
The permanent stage is not simply a matter of showing that the relationship existed when the original application was lodged. Applicants may need to provide evidence demonstrating that the relationship remains genuine and ongoing.
Examples of relationship evidence can include:
- joint financial arrangements;
- joint lease or mortgage documents;
- household bills;
- evidence of shared living arrangements;
- evidence of social activities or travel together;
- evidence relating to children, where applicable;
- communication evidence where the couple has spent time apart; and
- evidence of ongoing commitment and future plans.
The Department may consider the financial, household, social and commitment aspects of the relationship when assessing the permanent stage.
Subclass 100 Processing Time
There is no guaranteed Subclass 100 processing time. The Department of Home Affairs processing-time guide is indicative and is based on applications recently decided.
Individual applications may take longer depending on factors such as missing information, requests for additional evidence, verification requirements and the circumstances of the application.
Based on the September 2026 processing-time data provided in the current information for this article:
| Applications Decided | Indicative Processing Time |
|---|---|
| 25% | 8 months |
| 50% | 9 months |
| 75% | 13 months |
| 90% | 21 months |
The processing time for the permanent Subclass 100 stage starts when the applicant becomes eligible for permanent-stage assessment. This is typically around two years after the date of the original 309/100 application.
Therefore, you should not assume that the entire 309-to-100 pathway takes nine months. The permanent-stage processing time is separate from the initial Subclass 309 stage and the waiting period before permanent-stage assessment.
What Documents Are Needed for Subclass 100?
The exact documents required depend on the applicant’s circumstances. Documents that may be relevant to the permanent stage include:
- passport and identity documents;
- evidence of changes to personal circumstances;
- relationship documents;
- evidence that the relationship continues;
- sponsor’s statutory declaration;
- financial and household evidence;
- social evidence;
- commitment evidence;
- police certificates, where requested; and
- documents relating to dependent family members, where applicable.
The Department of Home Affairs recommends providing accurate information and uploading the required documents through ImmiAccount.
If documents are not in English, translation requirements may also apply. Applicants should follow the Department’s current document and translation requirements rather than relying on an outdated checklist.
Does Subclass 100 Give You Permanent Residency?
Yes. The Subclass 100 visa is a permanent visa.
It allows eligible visa holders to live, work and study in Australia permanently, subject to the applicable rules governing permanent residence.
Permanent residents may also have access to Medicare and may be able to sponsor eligible family members, subject to the relevant requirements.
The travel facility associated with a permanent visa is generally granted for a limited period. After the initial travel facility expires, a permanent resident travelling outside Australia may need a valid Resident Return Visa or another appropriate travel facility to return to Australia as a permanent resident.
Can Subclass 100 Lead to Australian Citizenship?
Yes, a Subclass 100 visa can be an important part of a person’s pathway towards Australian citizenship, but Australian citizenship is not automatic.
Citizenship has separate eligibility requirements. For citizenship by conferral, applicants generally need to satisfy the applicable residence requirements, including:
- having been lawfully present in Australia for the required four-year period immediately before applying;
- having been a permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen for the required period, including generally the 12 months immediately before applying; and
- meeting the relevant limits on time spent outside Australia during the qualifying residence period.
The date on which permanent residence begins can therefore be important when considering future citizenship eligibility.
Under the relevant guidance, permanent residence generally begins from the date the permanent visa is granted if the applicant is in Australia, or from the date of first entry to Australia on that visa if the applicant is outside Australia.
Is There a Citizenship Test?
Applicants aged 18 to 59 years generally need to sit the Australian citizenship test when applying for citizenship by conferral, unless an exemption applies.
The citizenship test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions. Applicants must correctly answer the required number of questions about Australian values and satisfy the applicable citizenship requirements.
Applicants aged 18 years or over must also generally satisfy the good character requirement.
Subclass 100 vs Subclass 801
The Subclass 100 and Subclass 801 visas have a similar purpose because both are permanent Partner visas. The key difference is the pathway through which the applicant applies.
| Subclass 100 | Subclass 801 |
|---|---|
| Offshore pathway | Onshore pathway |
| Usually follows Subclass 309 | Usually follows Subclass 820 |
| Applicant originally applies from outside Australia | Applicant applies in Australia |
| Permanent Partner visa | Permanent Partner visa |
The 309/100 pathway is generally the offshore Partner visa pathway, while the 820/801 pathway is generally used where the applicant applies in Australia.
Common Subclass 100 Mistakes to Avoid
1. Assuming Two Years Means Automatic Grant
Two years is generally the point at which permanent-stage assessment can take place. It does not guarantee that the Subclass 100 visa will be granted immediately.
2. Providing No Recent Relationship Evidence
Do not assume that evidence from the original application is enough. The Department may require evidence demonstrating that the relationship remains genuine and ongoing.
3. Ignoring Changes in Circumstances
Changes to your relationship, children, contact details or other relevant personal circumstances may need to be reported. Make sure your information remains accurate and up to date.
4. Using Outdated Processing-Time Figures
Processing times can change. Always check the latest Department of Home Affairs processing-time information rather than relying on an old figure published elsewhere.
5. Assuming Permanent Residency Means Automatic Citizenship
Subclass 100 provides permanent residency, but Australian citizenship requires a separate application and separate eligibility requirements.
6. Confusing Subclass 100 With Subclass 801
Subclass 100 generally belongs to the offshore 309/100 pathway, while Subclass 801 generally belongs to the onshore 820/801 pathway.
How Asia Pacific Group Can Help
Reaching the permanent stage of the Partner visa pathway does not mean there is nothing left to prepare. Applicants should understand what evidence may be required, whether their circumstances have changed and how to demonstrate that the relationship continues.
Asia Pacific Group provides assistance with Partner visa applications, including both offshore and onshore Partner visa pathways. Our team can assist with preparing relationship evidence, organising documentation and preparing visa applications according to the applicable requirements.
The Partner Visa specialists at Asia Pacific Group can also help you review your circumstances as you approach the permanent-stage assessment and understand what information may need to be provided through ImmiAccount.
Get your circumstances reviewed before preparing your permanent-stage documentation.
Conclusion
The Subclass 100 Partner Visa is the permanent stage of Australia’s offshore Partner visa pathway and generally follows the temporary Subclass 309 visa.
In most cases, the Subclass 309 and Subclass 100 applications are lodged together, with the permanent stage normally assessed around two years after the original application. The exact timing can vary depending on the circumstances of the application.
Subclass 100 provides permanent residency in Australia, but it does not automatically make the visa holder an Australian citizen. Citizenship is a separate process with its own residence and eligibility requirements.
If you are progressing through the 309/100 pathway, keeping your relationship evidence and personal information up to date can help you prepare for the permanent stage.
