Australia's partner visa comes in two forms that confuse a lot of couples: the onshore 820/801 and the offshore 309/100. The documents are nearly identical — the difference is about where you are when you apply and while you wait. Choosing the wrong one for your situation can leave you stuck outside Australia, or unable to travel freely. This guide explains the practical differences and how to pick.
The core difference: where you are
- 820/801 (onshore) — you must be in Australia to lodge it and when the temporary (820) visa is decided
- 309/100 (offshore) — you must be outside Australia to lodge it and when the temporary (309) visa is decided
Both are 'combined' applications: you apply for the temporary and permanent stages together (820 then 801, or 309 then 100), and the permanent stage is generally assessed around two years later.
What happens while you wait
This is the practical crux of the decision:
- Onshore (820): you're usually granted a Bridging visa that lets you stay in Australia while the application is processed. Travelling overseas on a bridging visa needs a Bridging visa B and advance planning, or you may not be able to return.
- Offshore (309): there's no bridging visa because you're outside Australia. Once the 309 is granted, it's a travel-facility visa — you can enter and leave Australia freely while you wait for the permanent stage.
Which should you choose?
- Choose 820/801 if you're already in Australia on a substantive visa and want to stay here throughout — accepting that overseas travel needs extra planning
- Choose 309/100 if you're outside Australia, or you need the freedom to travel in and out while the application is processed
- If you're engaged rather than married or de facto and you're offshore, the Prospective Marriage visa (300) is a third pathway that leads into the onshore 820/801 after you marry
You can't hold both, and switching between onshore and offshore mid-process is complicated. Decide based on where you genuinely need to be during the processing period, not just where you are the day you lodge.
The documents are the same
Whichever you choose, the evidence is essentially the same: identity, the four aspects of relationship evidence, sponsor documents, character and health. See the full checklists for the 820/801 and the 309/100.
What is the difference between the 820 and 309 partner visas?
The 820/801 is the onshore partner visa — you must be in Australia to lodge and when the 820 is granted. The 309/100 is the offshore version — you must be outside Australia to lodge and when the 309 is granted. The document requirements are nearly identical; the difference is location and what you can do while you wait.
Can I travel while my partner visa is being processed?
On the offshore 309, yes — once granted it lets you travel in and out of Australia freely. On the onshore 820, you're usually on a bridging visa, and travelling overseas requires a Bridging visa B arranged in advance, or you may not be able to return.
Can I switch from offshore to onshore (or vice versa)?
You can't hold both at once, and switching mid-process is complicated. Choose based on where you need to be during the processing period rather than assuming you can change later.
What if we're engaged but not yet married?
If you're offshore and engaged, the Prospective Marriage visa (Subclass 300) is a pathway that lets you come to Australia to marry, after which you apply for the onshore 820/801 partner visa.