Episode 2 Show Notes
In Episode 2 of the Port Migration Partner Visa Podcast, we explore one of the most reassuring and practical topics in the Partner Visa journey: real-world visa pathways.
While every love story is unique, there are patterns that appear again and again in successful visa applications — and understanding these common pathways can make your own journey feel less overwhelming.
Whether you’re applying onshore, offshore, or planning a wedding in Australia, this episode helps you identify which visa route might apply to your situation. We also revisit the three main types of Partner Visas (820/801, 309/100, 300) and share clear, relatable examples of how real couples have navigated the process successfully.
Key Takeaways
🎙️ "Your love story is unique — but we’ve probably helped a couple just like you."
🎙️ "Once you can see where you fit, the process starts to make more sense."
🎙️ "Just because someone on the internet was refused doesn’t mean you will be."
🎙️ "You don’t have to figure this out alone."
Timestamps
⏱️ 00:58 – Why Online Stories Can Be Confusing
⏱️ 05:50 - It really helps to hear real world scenarios
⏱️ 06:48 – The Three Main Partner Visa Types Explained
⏱️ 08:41 – Real-World Scenario #1: Visitor Visa to Partner Visa
⏱️ 09:25 – Real-World Scenario #2: Student Visa to Partner Visa
⏱️ 10:05 – Real-World Scenario #3: Work Visa to Partner Visa
⏱️ 11:08 – Real-World Scenario #4: Working Holiday Visa to Partner Visa
⏱️ 12:01 – Real-World Scenario #5: Offshore Application While Living Overseas
⏱️ 12:54 – Real-World Scenario #6: Prospective Marriage Visa to Onshore Partner Visa
⏱️ 13:44 – Why Seeing Your Story in These Paths Matters
⏱️ 14:44 – Your Next Steps
⏱️ 17:48 – Coming Up Next: Episode 3
Articles
Episode 2 Show Notes
Hello and Welcome to Season 1, Episode 2 of the Port Migration Partner Visa Podcast. If you and your partner are planning to apply for an Australian Partner Visa, this podcast is your roadmap.
If you’re new here, I’m so glad you’ve found us. And if you have already listened to Episode 1—welcome back.
Today, we’re diving into one of the most reassuring topics in the entire Partner Visa journey: real-world scenarios. The truth is, your love story is unique—but in the last decade we’ve probably helped a couple just like you get their Partner Visa. And in this episode, I’ll show you how.
When you first start researching Partner Visas, it’s easy to fall down the rabbit hole. You might join online groups or scroll through online forums. You’ll hear hundreds of stories—some encouraging, some terrifying. One couple got their visa approved in five months. Another waited for two years. Someone else says they didn’t live together and still got approved. And before long, you’re left wondering, What applies to us? What doesn’t? And how do I know if we’re doing this the right way?
That’s exactly what we’re going to help you unpack today.
At Port Migration, we’ve spent the last decade helping couples just like you successfully apply for Australian Partner Visas. In that time, we’ve worked with people in all kinds of circumstances—some straightforward, some complex, and everything in between. And what we’ve noticed is that while every relationship is unique, certain patterns come up again and again.
Maybe you’re already living together in Australia. Maybe you’ve been in a long-distance relationship for years. Maybe you’ve never lived together, but you’re planning to get married. Maybe you’re thinking about registering your relationship in an Australian state. Or maybe you’re still trying to figure out which visa even applies to your situation.
Wherever you are on the journey, chances are—you’ll hear something in today’s episode that sounds very familiar.
In this episode, I’ll walk you through the most common scenarios we see.
The goal of this episode is to help you find your place in the process—to give you clarity, direction, and most importantly, reassurance. Because when you can see how others have succeeded in circumstances just like yours, the whole process feels a little more possible.
Just a quick reminder, in the Port Migration Partner Visa Podcast, we cover the three main types of Partner Visas:
- The Subclass 820/801 Onshore Partner Visa
- The Subclass 309/100 Offshore Partner Visa
- And the Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa
Finally, before we dive in, please listen to this disclaimer:
The information in this podcast is general in nature. It doesn’t take into account your personal circumstances or specific visa needs, and it is not intended as migration advice. If you need advice tailored to your unique situation, please use the links in the description to get in touch with our experienced team—we’d love to help.
The Port Migration Partner Visa Podcast is available in both video and audio format. It’s available on all your favourite podcast platforms. So while you’re here, please like this episode on whichever platform you’re listening on, subscribe to our channel, turn on notifications, and share this podcast with your partner. We’d love to hear where you’re listening from—drop the flag of your country in the comments to let us know. Your support helps other couples find this podcast too.
And a quick reminder. At Port Migration, we are MARA-registered Australian Migration Agents. You’ll find our registration details in the description, and you can also verify them on the official Migration Agents Registration Authority website (MARA). Always check that the person giving you Australian Visa or Migration advice is legally authorised to do so—your visa is too important to leave in the wrong hands.
Alright—let’s take a closer look at the most common partner visa pathways we’ve seen over the last ten years. You might just hear your own story in one of them.
If you’ve been researching Australian Partner Visas, you’ve probably seen dozens—maybe more—of people’s stories. Some end in success. Some in heartbreak. Some couples get approved in record time, others wait for years. And if you’re anything like the couples we work with, you’re probably wondering:
Where do we fit in?
What applies to us?
Why doesn’t any of this sound exactly like our situation?
That’s because your love story is unique. Your relationship has its own timeline, your own personal history, your own practical challenges—like visas, jobs, countries, kids and commitments. When you’re scrolling online through comment threads on groups or forums trying to piece together a plan, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure. It’s like trying to solve a puzzle with pieces from someone else’s life.
And that’s exactly why we’re having this conversation today.
It really helps to hear real-world scenarios.
While no two couples are exactly the same, there are patterns that we’ve seen over and over again in our work with successful Partner Visa applicants over the last decade.
There are certain pathways, certain combinations of circumstances, that pop up regularly. And when you hear those examples laid out clearly, something clicks. You realise—Ah. That sounds like us.
Once you can see where you fit, the process starts to make more sense. You stop second-guessing every decision, and you start moving forward with clarity.
In this episode, I want to share some of those common Partner Visa pathways—the real-world situations we see every day.
Before we dive into examples, let’s step back and talk about the main visa options available to couples.
There are three main Partner Visa Pathways if you are married or in a de facto relationship with an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident. Make sure you listen to Episode 1 for more details about Eligibility.
There are three core visa types that come under the umbrella of Australian Partner Visas:
The Onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801) is designed for applicants who are already in Australia on another visa—like a visitor visa, student visa, or work visa—and want to stay and apply for a Partner Visa from within Australia. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can lodge your application onshore and be granted a Bridging Visa to remain lawfully in Australia while your application is processed, with access to work rights and Medicare.
The Offshore Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100) is for couples who are applying while the visa applicant is overseas. In this case, you need to be outside of Australia when you lodge your application and you can be inside or out of Australia when the temporary stage of the visa is granted.
The Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) is a little different. It’s for engaged couples who are not yet married but plan to marry in Australia. Once granted, the applicant enters Australia on a temporary visa, gets married within the required time frame, and then applies for the onshore Partner Visa Subclass 820/801.
These three visa types can support many different kinds of relationships—but knowing which one is right for you depends on your specific situation.
Now, let’s look at some of the most common scenarios we encounter.
These Common real world scenarios might help you to identify your best visa pathway.
First lets talk about the Visitor Visa to Partner Visa Pathway.
The Visitor Visa to Partner Visa pathway is one of the most common situations we see is when a couple has been in a long-distance relationship and the non-Australian partner is visiting Australia on a visitor visa. While in Australia, they realise they want to stay together long-term—and start preparing for a Partner Visa. If the timing is right, and the person is eligible to apply onshore, this is often a smooth transition, which is why it’s a very popular pathway. It’s essential to check that there are no visa conditions like “No Further Stay” before proceeding.
A second common scenario we often encounter is the Student Visa to Partner Visa Pathway.
In the Student Visa to Partner Visa pathway, the non-Australian partner will have come to study in Australia and during their studies has developed a committed de facto relationship or married an Australian citizen or permanent resident. As their student visa nears expiry, they might decide to apply for an onshore Partner Visa. This is a common pathway—but it still requires careful planning around timing, evidence, and maintaining compliance with the conditions of the Student Visa.
Thirdly, lets talk about the Work Visa to Partner Visa pathway.
The work visa to partner visa pathway is relevant for people who are in Australia holding a temporary work visa. At Port Migration we assist employers and visa applicants with the employer sponsored visa application process, so we often work with skilled workers who are living in Australia on a temporary work visa, such as a Skills in Demand Visa or the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa. During their time here, they’ve entered a de facto or marriage relationship with an Australian Citizen or PR partner and decide to transition to permanent residency via applying for a Partner Visa. This pathway can be strategic, especially if their work visa has limitations or is approaching its end date, or if their pathway to PR through employer sponsorship or General Skilled Migration is complex, uncertain or possibly even not possible. If you’re contemplating this pathway it’s important to invest some time in understanding the pros and cons of all your options.
Fourth, lets talk about the Working Holiday Visa to Partner Visa pathway.
The Working Holiday Visa to Partner Visa pathway is Another common situation we see when a couple meets while one partner is in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa—a Subclass 417 or 462 visa. Like their name indicates, these visas are designed for short-term work and travel, but sometimes they lead to something more serious. If the relationship becomes committed and ongoing, and you meet the eligibility criteria, you may be able to apply for an onshore Partner Visa before the Working Holiday Visa expires. Timing is critical in this pathway, especially with the Working Holiday Visa work restrictions. But with the right preparation, this can be a great way to stay together and build a future in Australia.
A fifth common scenario we encounter is where a couple apply for the Offshore Partner Visa while they are living overseas together.
The offshore partner visa pathway can be a great option for couples who are living together overseas and may have had long term residence in another country where the visa applicant is a Citizen, and they want to move together to Australia to pursue the next stage of their life adventure as a couple. In this case, the Australian partner sponsors the non-Australian partner from abroad, and they apply for the offshore Partner Visa Subclass 309/100. This is a common pathway for expats, international couples, or Australians who have lived and worked overseas with their partner for years. It allows the couple to plan their move to Australia together.
And sixth lets talk about the Prospective Marriage Visa which leads to an onshore Partner Visa.
This pathway from the Subclass 300 Visa to the Subclass 820/801 visa suits couples who are engaged but not yet married. The Prospective Marriage Visa allows the non-Australian partner to come to Australia, marry their sponsor within a set time, and then apply for the Partner Visa from onshore. It’s ideal for couples who for cultural or religious reasons want to marry before living together, or couples who haven’t lived together long enough to qualify for the de facto pathway but want to commit to marrying one another and build a future in Australia together.
It's quite likely you can see yourself in one of these scenarios.
While we repeatedly encounter common partner visa pathways, there’s no one-size-fits-all in the Partner Visa process. Every relationship is different. But when you can see where your story fits among the most common pathways, the next steps become clearer. Making a plan is crucial.
Your love story is yours alone. But you don’t have to figure this out on your own. Our role is to help you make informed decisions based on what works, what’s allowed, and what gives you the best chance of success.
And remember—just because you’ve seen someone on the internet get a visa in record time doesn’t mean that’s your pathway. And just because someone else was refused doesn’t mean you will be.
If today’s episode helped you recognise your own situation in one of the pathways we discussed—then now is the perfect time to take the next step.
Whether you’re still in research mode, preparing your own application, or looking for expert help—we’ve got options to support you.
First, start with our free resources.
if you’ve found yourself thinking “That’s us!” while listening to these scenarios, check out our blog and our videos online. Our blog is packed with practical articles that break down the most common Partner Visa scenarios, including the ones we covered today. Also check out the case study examples. And don’t forget to download our Ultimate Guide to Partner Visas—it’s completely free, and it’s helped thousands of couples fast-track their understanding of the process. We like to call it the most Popular Partner Visa Guide on the internet for a reason. You’ll find the link in the episode description.
Second, check out the resources in the Shop section of our website.
Our Relationship Statement Guide is one of the most popular resources we’ve ever released, and it’s perfect for couples who need helping crafting their relationship story for their partner visa application. We’re regularly uploading new resources, so take a look and see what’s there that can help you.
And third, if you want expert support from start to finish—book a call.
Our Done For You Partner Visa service is designed for couples who want peace of mind, less stress, and confidence throughout the process. We’ll take care of the entire application process with you—from strategy to submission—and you’ll be supported by a team of MARA-registered migration agents who do this work every day. You can book a free consultation through the link below, and we’ll talk through your specific circumstances and how we can help.
Whatever scenario is similar to yours—just know this: you don’t have to navigate the Partner Visa system alone. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
So far in the Port Migration Partner Visa Podcast series, we’ve introduced you to the Three Es of Partner Visa Success: Eligibility, Evidence, and Errors.
In Episode 1, we looked at eligibility—the critical first step in determining whether you can even apply for a Partner Visa. And in today’s episode, we explored some of the most common real-world scenarios we see every day, to help you understand where your relationship fits into the bigger picture.
If you’ve been nodding along, recognising parts of your own story, then now is the time to keep going.
We designed this podcast to guide you step-by-step through the Partner Visa process—and each episode builds on the one before it. So if you haven’t already, make sure to set aside time to listen to all eight episodes, from start to finish. You’ll walk away with more clarity, more confidence, and a real plan for your next steps. You won’t regret it.
Coming up in Episode 3, we’re diving into the second “E”: Evidence. Because when it comes to a Partner Visa, it’s not enough to tell Home Affairs that you’re in a relationship—you need to prove it.
So how do you build strong, clear evidence that supports your application and avoids delays or doubts?
That’s what we’re going to cover next. I’ll walk you through what matters, what doesn’t, and in a future episode we are also going to talk about how to tell your unique relationship story in a way that gives your application the best chance of success.
Episode 3 is essential listening. Don’t miss it.
Thanks so much for listening today—we really appreciate you being here.
If you found this episode of the Port Migration Partner Visa Podcast helpful, please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss future episodes. And if you’re listening on YouTube, give it a like and let us know in the comments what stage of the Partner Visa journey you’re on—we’d love to hear from you.
If you and your partner are planning to apply for an Australian Partner Visa, this podcast is your roadmap, and we’ve got lots more practical, real-world advice coming up.
Until next time, all the best with your application.
Behind the Scenes
