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What’s Changed?
If you hold a provisional Partner (subclass 309) visa (offshore) or a temporary Partner (subclass 820) visa (onshore), and two years have passed since you lodged your visa application, you are now able to submit your documentation for the permanent stage of the Partner visa (Department of Home Affairs, 2022).

• Subclass 309 visa holders may progress to the Subclass 100 Permanent Partner Visa (offshore).
• Subclass 820 visa holders may progress to the Subclass 801 Permanent Partner Visa (onshore).

Who It Applies To

• Only applicants whose Partner visa lodgment has reached the two-year mark.
• Applicants must continue to demonstrate that their relationship is genuine and ongoing at the time of permanent stage assessment.

What If Your Circumstances Have Changed?

You may need to provide additional information, or your eligibility could be impacted, if:

• Your relationship with your sponsor is no longer genuine or has ended.
• You have experienced significant changes in your circumstances that affect your supporting evidence.

Implications & What You Should Do

1. Start Preparing Permanent Stage Evidence
   Begin gathering updated documentation that demonstrates your continuing relationship, including financial, household, social, and commitment evidence.
2. Check Your Visa Timeline
   Confirm the lodgment date of your Partner visa. The two-year period begins from the application lodgment, not the visa grant date.
3. Monitor Notifications from Home Affairs
   Keep your ImmiAccount and contact details current to avoid missing requests for information.
4. Address Relationship Changes Early
   If there are changes (e.g., separation, marriage breakdown), seek advice on how this affects your application.
5. Seek Professional Guidance
   Because the permanent stage requires a fresh assessment, migration professionals can help strengthen your application and navigate complications.

This update provides Partner visa holders with a clearer pathway to permanent residency after two years. However, time alone is not enough—you must continue to provide consistent, genuine, and up-to-date evidence of your relationship to progress successfully to permanent residency.