Every Love Story Is Unique — But You’re Not Alone

Thinking about applying for a Partner Visa in Australia? You might be wondering whether your relationship fits the requirements or which visa option is right for you. It’s one of the most emotional and high-stakes decisions you’ll make — and knowing where you stand is the first step.

The good news? You’re not alone. The truth is, every couple’s story is different — but after more than 10 years of helping people apply for Partner Visas, I can tell you this: most couples fall into one of a handful of common pathways.  

After more than 10 years of helping couples apply for Partner Visas, we’ve seen hundreds of real-life scenarios. Most couples fit into one of a few common Partner Visa pathways, and understanding which one applies to you can help you move forward with confidence.

In this article, we’ll walk through the typical Partner Visa scenarios we see every day, so you can identify where you fit — and avoid some of the most common mistakes. 

And if you prefer to listen on the go, you’ll find even more detail in Episode 2 of the Port Migration Partner Visa Podcast.

Understanding Your Options: What Is a Partner Visa in Australia?

Before we dive into real-life scenarios, it’s important to understand the basic structure of the Partner Visa process.

The Australian Partner Visa allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia. 

There are three main types of Partner Visas:

Applying for an Australian Partner Visa is a two-stage process. Step one is the temporary visa, which lets you live and work in Australia while your relationship continues. Step two is the permanent visa, which is usually granted about two years after your initial application — as long as your relationship is still ongoing. 

The Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) is for engaged couples who intend to marry in Australia and then apply for a Partner Visa onshore.

The visa you apply for will depend on where you and your partner are living, what stage your relationship is at, and your long-term plans.

So now the big question becomes: Where are you now, and where are you heading together?

Common Pathways to a Partner Visa in Australia: Which one sounds like you?

Let’s explore the most common visa pathways we see, and how they typically unfold.

1. Visitor Visa → Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801)
The Work Visa to Partner Visa pathway is common for couples who start their relationship online or while travelling. One partner visits Australia on a tourist visa, and the couple decides they want to stay together long term.  

Timing is everything here. If you’re planning to lodge an onshore Partner Visa before the visitor visa expires, it’s important to make sure you meet all eligibility requirements — and you have enough strong evidence of your relationship.  

2. Student Visa → Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801)
Many couples meet while one partner is studying in Australia. After living together and building a life, they decide to apply for a Partner Visa.  

The key here is making sure your de facto relationship meets the eligibility criteria (like having lived together for 12 months or registering your relationship). Planning ahead makes a huge difference.  

3. Work Visa → Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801)
Maybe one of you came to Australia for work, and now you’ve built a life here together. This pathway is for couples who want to transition from temporary skilled work visas to something more permanent. Understanding all your options is important so you can make the best decision for your circumstances.

The good news? You may already have strong documentation — joint leases, bills, and routines that show your shared life. 

4. Offshore Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100)
This is for couples who are either currently living together overseas or living separately in different countries and want to make Australia their home. In these cases, sometimes the Australian sponsor returns to Australia ahead of the applicant, or the couple waits offshore together.  

Evidence of shared life overseas is key. And it’s important to plan the timeline around travel and entry conditions.  

5. Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300)
If you're engaged — but you haven’t lived together long enough to meet the de facto requirements — this could be the best pathway. It allows you to come to Australia, get married within a set timeframe, and then apply for the onshore Partner Visa.  

This is often used by couples who are ready to start their lives together but need a bit more flexibility in meeting the eligibility criteria.  

6. Working Holiday Visa → Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801)
Plenty of couples meet while one partner is travelling or backpacking through Australia. If the relationship becomes serious, they may decide to stay — and apply onshore.  

These applications can work well if you act early and collect the right evidence during your time together.  

Why These Scenarios Matter  

You might not see yourself in just one of these examples — and that’s okay. These stories aren’t here to box you in, but to help you understand that there is a pathway forward.  

What matters most is not how you met or which visa you’re currently on — what matters is that you’re clear on your eligibility, and you’re able to provide strong evidence that your relationship is genuine and ongoing.  

What If You’re Not Sure Where You Fit?

You don’t have to have it all figured out. The truth is, most people don’t know which Partner Visa Australia pathway is right for them — until they sit down and talk to an expert.

Most of the couples we work with come to us unsure of where they fit. That’s normal. But once we sit down together, we can quickly map out a plan that gives them confidence and clarity.  

We help couples every day who aren’t sure if they’re eligible, or who are trying to choose between applying onshore or offshore. That’s what we do best: cut through the confusion, give you clarity, and help you take the next step with confidence.

So — where do you see yourself in all of this? What’s your story?

If you recognise one of these pathways as similar to yours, then you’re in the right place. And if you’re still not sure where you fit, that’s exactly what we’re here for.  You can:

You don’t have to figure this out alone. At Port Migration, we specialise in Partner Visas for Australia, and we’ve helped hundreds of couples just like you. Whether you’re applying from inside Australia or from overseas, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Let’s make your love story the next Partner Visa success story.

🎧 Want More Help? Listen to the Podcast

The Port Migration Partner Visa Podcast is a step-by-step guide to the entire Partner Visa process — created by real, registered migration agents with over a decade of experience.

Each episode focuses on a specific part of the journey, including eligibility, evidence, common scenarios, wait times, and the emotional side of applying for a Partner Visa. Whether you're applying onshore or offshore, this podcast is designed to fast-track your research and give you peace of mind.

 Listen now on your favourite platform:

👉 Spotify
👉 Apple Podcasts
👉 Amazon Music
👉 YouTube

Or head straight to our Podcast Hub.

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