Partner Visa 100 Eligibility Guide 2026

The Subclass 100 Partner (Migrant) visa is a permanent residence visa for people in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. It sits at the end of the partner visa pathway — most applicants arrive at subclass 100 after first holding a temporary partner visa, rather than applying for it directly.

Who the subclass 100 is for

The subclass 100 is designed for people who are already in Australia's partner visa pipeline. The vast majority of applicants enter via the offshore route: they first apply for the Subclass 309 Partner (Provisional) visa, which allows them to live and work in Australia temporarily while their relationship is assessed. After meeting the required waiting period and satisfying the Department of Home Affairs that the relationship is genuine and continuing, the subclass 100 is granted — usually automatically, without a separate application.

There is also an onshore equivalent pathway. Applicants already in Australia can apply for the Subclass 820 Partner visa (temporary) and then progress to the Subclass 801 Partner visa (Permanent), which is the onshore counterpart to the subclass 100.

The subclass 100 is not a skilled migration visa. It does not require a skills assessment, English language test, or points score. Eligibility turns entirely on the relationship and character and health requirements.

How the partner visa pathways compare

Because the subclass 100 is part of a four-visa stream, it helps to see how the temporary and permanent legs fit together — and whether the offshore (309 → 100) or onshore (820 → 801) route applies to you.

The combined application charge is paid once, at the temporary stage. The permanent stage is assessed without a separate fee.

Eligibility requirements

Because the subclass 100 is a family stream visa, the eligibility criteria differ substantially from skilled stream visas like the Subclass 189 Points-tested stream or Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa.

Relationship requirements

To be eligible, you must be in a genuine spousal or de facto relationship with an Australian sponsor. The key requirements are:

• Sponsorship: Your partner must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen who is settled in Australia.
• Genuine relationship: The relationship must be genuine and continuing at the time the permanent visa is assessed. The Department considers financial, social, household, and commitment factors.
• Married or de facto: Both legally married couples and de facto partners (including same-sex couples) are eligible. De facto couples must generally have been living together for at least 12 months before applying, unless registered under a state or territory relationship register.
• Not a prohibited relationship: The relationship must not be a familial one prohibited under Australian law.

Health and character

All applicants — and most secondary applicants included in the application — must meet standard Australian health and character requirements. This includes:

• Undergoing medical examinations with an approved panel physician
• Providing police clearance certificates from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years

Health and character rules can be complex and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consider speaking to a MARA-registered agent if you have a health condition or criminal history that may be relevant.

No points test, no skills assessment, no English requirement

The subclass 100 does not sit within the General Skilled Migration framework. There is no:

• Points test
• Skills assessment
• Minimum English language score
• Occupation ceiling

This makes it fundamentally different from the skills-based permanent visas. Your eligibility is assessed on relationship evidence, not on your qualifications or work history.

Application process and key steps

For most people, applying for the subclass 100 is not a standalone event — it is the second stage of a two-stage application lodged simultaneously at the outset.

Stage 1: lodging the combined application

When you apply for the subclass 309 (offshore) or 820 (onshore), you also lodge your subclass 100 (or 801) application at the same time. You pay a single combined application charge. The Department assesses the temporary stage first; if granted, your permanent stage application remains active.

Stage 2: waiting period

If you and your sponsor have been in a registered relationship or married for at least three years at the time of application, you may be eligible for the permanent visa to be assessed sooner. For most applicants, the Department will not consider the permanent stage until your application has been active for at least two years. During this period you hold the temporary visa and can live, work, and study in Australia.

Stage 3: permanent visa assessment

Once the waiting period has passed, the Department reassesses the relationship. You will typically need to provide updated evidence that the relationship is genuine and ongoing. This may include:

• Joint bank account statements or bills
• Statutory declarations from people who know you as a couple
• Evidence of shared commitments (lease agreements, property, children)
• Photos and travel records

If the relationship has ended due to family violence or the death of the sponsor, there are specific provisions that may still allow the permanent visa to be granted. The rules governing these situations are detailed and fact-specific — speak to a MARA-registered agent if this applies to you.

Stage 4: grant

If the Department is satisfied that eligibility is met at the permanent stage, the subclass 100 is granted. This gives you permanent residence in Australia, with the right to live, work, and study indefinitely. Permanent residents can apply for citizenship after meeting residence requirements, and may need a Subclass 155 Resident Return visa or Subclass 157 Resident Return visa if they travel internationally after their travel facility expires.

Processing time trends

The subclass 100 is among the slower visa subclasses in the family stream. Processing times are driven by caseload volumes, the complexity of individual applications, and the mandatory waiting period before permanent assessment can occur.

The two-year minimum wait (for most applicants) means total time from lodgement to permanent grant is rarely less than two years, even for straightforward cases. Applications involving additional complexity — health issues, character concerns, or relationship disputes — can take considerably longer. You can track current processing-time medians across Australian visa subclasses on the Migrant Hub dashboard — figures update as the Department publishes new benchmarks.

Historically, the Department has published processing time benchmarks based on the proportion of applications finalised within a given number of months. These figures shift with annual migration programme settings and staffing. The Department's website publishes current global benchmarks, but these are averages and individual cases can differ significantly.

For the offshore pathway, the subclass 309 temporary visa is generally processed before the permanent subclass 100. For the onshore pathway, the Subclass 820 Partner visa (temporary) is similarly processed first.

If your circumstances are time-sensitive — for example, your current visa is expiring — consider seeking advice from a MARA-registered agent about bridging visa arrangements and your options.

Common questions

How long does the subclass 100 take in 2026?

Most applicants spend at least two years on a temporary partner visa (309 or 820) before the permanent subclass 100 stage is assessed. The Department of Home Affairs publishes global processing benchmarks that shift each quarter — total time from lodgement to grant is rarely under two years even for straightforward cases.

Can I work in Australia while waiting for the subclass 100?

Yes. While the permanent stage is being assessed, you hold either a 309 or 820 temporary partner visa (depending on whether you applied offshore or onshore). Both grant unlimited work and study rights in Australia.

What happens to my subclass 100 if my relationship breaks down?

If the relationship ends before the permanent stage is granted, the application is usually refused — but exceptions exist for family violence and where the sponsor has died. Get advice from a MARA-registered agent immediately if your relationship status changes.

Do I need to be in Australia to apply for the subclass 100?

No. The subclass 100 is the offshore permanent partner visa, applied for from outside Australia via the 309 → 100 pathway. If you're in Australia, the onshore equivalent is 820 → 801. The eligibility and processing timelines are similar across both routes.

Can I include my children in my subclass 100 application?

Yes. Dependent children can be added as secondary applicants and granted permanent residence alongside the primary applicant. Health and character checks apply to every included family member, so plan medicals and police clearances for everyone on the application.

Where to go next

For live processing time data and the latest invitation round information across Australian visa subclasses, visit the Migrant Hub dashboard.