Published on August 27, 2025 at 16:34 PM | Category: Visa Services

Important Update – Partner (subclasses 309 & 820) Australian Visa Holders

Australia has announced key updates for Partner visa holders (subclasses 309 & 820). Applicants can now transition smoothly to permanent visas, with added flexibility on grant location.

Subscribe Now

Important Update – Partner (subclasses 309 & 820) Australian Visa Holders

August 27, 2025

If you hold a Partner (Provisional) (subclass 309) visa or a Partner (Temporary) (subclass 820) Australian visa, here’s what you need to know:

Holders of subclass 309 visas are now directed to apply for the subclass 100 Partner (Migrant) visa.
Holders of subclass 820 visas should transition to the subclass 801 Partner (Permanent) visa for their permanent residency pathway (source: Immigration and citizenship Website).

Additionally, the Department of Home Affairs now allows both subclass 309 and 820 applicants to be either inside or outside Australia at the time of grant—a change reflecting post-COVID improvements in processing protocols (source: . National Law Review.

Why this matters:

This update provides clarity on permanent visa pathways for partner visa holders, removing location restrictions at the grant stage and making the process more adaptable to applicants’ changing circumstances.

Tip: If two full years have passed since you applied for your partner visa, you can begin lodging documentation for the permanent stage of your visa.