Few things your client will ever do in their lifetime will be so emotional and financially crucial as applying for an Australian partner visa. At over $9,000 and timelines that can stretch to 12–18 months in some cases we’re playing for all the marbles.
Here at Asia Pacific Group, we are your Spouse Visa Specialist in Sydney through a team of registered Migration Agents. We assist couples to cut through the confusion of misleading online advice and prepare a ‘decision-ready’ application that withstands the Department of Home Affairs’ examination.
Why is Partner Visa Specialist in Sydney so Important
The Australian migration system is increasingly oriented toward “integrity.” This is why case officers search for any contradiction in your relationship history, finances or social evidence.
Partner Visa Specialist is not just filling out forms. We offer:
- Conflict Resolution: Spotting issues in your history (such as prior sponsorships or visa refusals) that may be heading toward a problem.
- Evidences’ curation: Knowing which are important docs and which is duplicate.
- Forward planning: Whether to apply through the onshore (Subclass 820/801) or offshore (Subclass 309/100) depending on your circumstances and future plans.
Understanding the Different Partner Visa Streams
For couples looking to apply there are a number of options in Australia based on your marital status and where you are at the time of application lodge.
Onshore Partner Visa Processing (Subclass 820-801)
If you currently hold a substantive visa (i.e. a Student or 482 visa), while located in Australia, and wish to apply for the Subclass 820.
- The Benefit: You get a Bridging Visa A (BVA), which lets you remain and work, entitles to Medicare while waiting for the decision.
- The Process: This is a two-step process. You apply for the temporary and permanent visas (820, 801) at the same time.
Offshore Partner Visa (Subclass 309 and 100)
For applicants outside Australia and their spouses this would normally be the Subclass 309.
The Benefit: Recent 2026 updates have streamlined the transition to the permanent Subclass 100 stage, provided the relationship remains genuine.
The Process: Like the onshore version, this is a dual-stage application.
Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300)
Australia Prospective Marriage Visa – The Fiancé Visa. This visa is commonly known as the “Fiancé Visa,” and for couples who plan to get married in Australia. After getting married, the applicant then moves onto the onshore Partner Visa.
The Four Pillars of Relationship Evidence
Other relationships cannot be truly “genuine and continuing” in order to succeed and the proof must be overwhelming. As your Partner Visa in Sydney specialists, we guide you through collating supporting material across these four key areas:
1. Financial Aspects
The Department wants to observe how you “share” the burden of life.
- Bank account statements in both your names showing usual household spending.
- Common property, Assets such as cars, appliances or real properties; owned by both people in the relationship.
- Saved bills (energy, water) for gas or light.
2. Nature of the Household
This shows that you live together, sharing domestic duties.
- Lease or mortgage (joint if applicable).
- Mail or packages with both of your names at the same address.
- Your story What: “Being Married” — a statement declaring how you divide the chores, cooking and child-rearing in your home.
3. Social Aspects
What does the outside world think of you as a couple?
- Form 888: Statutory declarations by Australian citizens or permanent residents who will confirm the existence of your relationship.
- Pictures from different stages of your relationship (not just the wedding!).
- Records of joint travel, invitations to dinner and membership of the same clubs.
4. Nature of Commitment
This is all about your long-term goals.
- Naming each other as the beneficiary of your Will or Superannuation.
- Prove of communication while apart (call logs, chat history).
- It’s personal statements about the backstory and future of your relationship.
Common Pitfalls: Why Applications Get Refused
Legit couples too are turned down for tech reasons. By having a Partner Visa Specialist you avoid:
- Mismatched Dates: Contradictions between what your personal statement says and what the principal information you have provided says about the date when you began cohabitating your spouse.
- De Facto Not Proven: If the applicant has not lived together with his or her partner for 12 months (unless you have registered your relationship or compelling reasons why you haven’t been living together).
- Low-quality documents: Some people submit poor quality scans or untranslated versions of documents that are not translated by an accredited NAATI translator.
- Health and Character Matters: The withholding of previous illnesses or history concerning petty law enforcement.
What to Expect in 2026: Processing Times and Costs
As of early 2026, the Family Stream continues to operate on a fixed quota determined by the Department of Home Affairs. Though, the “median” processing times for a Subclass 820 at present sits around 17 months.
| Visa Stage | Estimated Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Subclass 820 (Temporary) | 12 – 20 Months |
| Subclass 309 (Provisional) | 14 – 22 Months |
| Subclass 801/100 (Permanent) | 6 – 15 Months after eligibility |
Note: the times vary according to applications quality. A file which is “Decision-Ready” and managed by a professional will often be approved sooner, as the case officer does not need to send RFIs (Create links to RFI flow here).
How Asia Pacific Group Can Help
Being one of the top immigration firms with office in Sydney, we believe that we are more than just a consulting agency. We are in this together with you.
Our Services
- Initial Consultation: We look at your past relationships and see if you are the right fit for our clients and us.
- List of Required Documents: A personalized list telling you exactly what you need; no more, no less.
- Statement Workshop: We will help you write your relationship story so it meets all of the legal standards without sounding robotic.
- Liaison with Home Affairs: We manage all of the communication with the Department so you do not have to stress about The Immi Account.
Start Your Journey Today
The best time to begin your application, yesterday – the next best-time today. Don’t gamble with your Australian future on a ‘DIY’ application that could overlook essential information.
Would you like me to organise a no charge initial appointment with a Sydney migration agent so we can check your eligibility?
