Offshore Partner Visa Subclass 100
Already on your 309 and waiting for permanent residency? Matilda's immigration lawyers keep your relationship evidence airtight and your case moving.
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How does the offshore partner visa subclass 100 work?
The 100 visa subclass is the permanent stage of Australia's offshore partner visa 309 - for the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. You apply for it together with the Subclass 309 in a single application. Most applicants receive the 309 first, then the permanent 100 around two years later. Once the 100 is granted, you're a permanent resident of Australia - free to live, work, and study here indefinitely.
Already on your 309 and wondering what comes next? Read our complete 309 visa guide.
When is the Partner Visa Subclass 100 granted?
The timing of your 100 grant depends on how long you and your partner had been together when you lodged. There are two pathways.
Two-year pathway:
If you were not yet in a long-term relationship when you applied, the Department grants the temporary 309 first and assesses you for the permanent 100 two years after your original lodgement date.
At that point, you'll need to show:
- Updated evidence your relationship is still genuine and ongoing
- A new statutory declaration from your sponsor
- Fresh police certificates (Australian and any overseas)
- Potentially new health checks
Early grant:
If you were already in a long-term relationship with your partner when you lodged your 309/100 application, the Department may grant both visas at the same time - no two-year wait required.
To qualify, you'll need to demonstrate:
- Your relationship was well-established at the time of application
- A strong history of shared life - finances, household (including any dependent children together), social ties, and commitment to each other
- Thorough documentation that makes the long-term status undeniable
The 801 page specifies "three or more years" as the long-term threshold. The DoHA wording for 309/100 just says "long-term relationship" without a specific number. Confirm what threshold Matilda uses in their client communications before this goes live.
What the Department of Home Affairs looks for at the 100 visa stage
When your partner visa 100 is ready for assessment, the Department needs to be satisfied that your relationship is still genuine and ongoing, two years on from when you first lodged. To make that assessment, they look at the same four areas as your original application: financial, household, social, and commitment.
This isn't a rubber stamp. The Department is looking for evidence that your life together has continued to develop, not just that nothing has changed. Applications that feel thin, inconsistent, or like a repeat of the original lodgement raise questions.
That's why how you present your updated evidence matters as much as what you include. An immigration lawyer who has managed partner visa applications through to the permanent stage knows what the Department expects to see two years in, where applicants commonly fall short, and how to frame your relationship in a way that holds up to scrutiny.
If your circumstances have changed since lodgement - a period of separation, time spent in different countries, changes to living arrangements - get legal advice before responding to the Department.
Your complete visa 100 Stage 2 assessment
A Stage 2 assessment is not just a form - it is a legal case that needs to convince the Department of Home Affairs that your relationship is still genuine. Matilda's immigration lawyers build that case for you from start to finish.
1. Take the eligibility quiz
Answer a few simple questions to find which visa is right for you and whether you're eligible to apply with Matilda.
2. Have a consult with an immigration lawyer
Attend a 20 minute, obligation-free call with one of our case managers.
3. Get your personalised evidence plan
Covering what updated evidence you need for your Stage 2 assessment and what to expect through to your 100 visa grant
4. We’ll do the heavy lifting for you
Drafting your updated relationship statement, building your Stage 2 evidence package, and preparing all documents for submission through ImmiAccount
5. Final review and lodgement
Your Stage 2 documents undergo multiple reviews from our immigration lawyers before being submitted to the Department of Home Affairs
6. Receive post-lodgement support
We’ll keep you updated on your visa processing time and support you with post-lodgement requirements including your medical examination.
Get your visa!
Why our clients choose Matilda for their visa Subclass 309/100
Immigration lawyers - not migration agents
Your 801 application is handled by qualified immigration lawyers at every stage. You work directly with a lawyer who knows your case.
No visa, no fee
If your Subclass 801 application is unsuccessful, Matilda refunds our legal fees. We offer this because we assess every application thoroughly before we start - if your application isn't strong enough, we'll tell you honestly before taking any payment.
Your full application built for you
We don't give you a task list and leave you to it. We assess your situation, build the evidence, review every document, and lodge the application. You focus on your relationship; we focus on your visa.
De facto specialists
De facto applications require a different legal approach to married couple applications. Our immigration lawyers understand what case officers look for, what evidence is legally sufficient, and how to present complex relationship histories including newer relationships, long-distance situations, and previous relationships.
Complex cases and refusals
If your 801 application was previously refused, or your situation is complicated - previous visa issues, short relationship, offshore circumstances - speak to our lawyers before assuming the door is closed.
Unlimited support
If your 801 application was previously refused, or your situation is complicated - previous visa issues, short relationship, offshore circumstances - speak to our lawyers before assuming the door is closed.
Life changing Australian visa success stories
Mitch & Mel
“Massive thanks to Matilda for making this entire process smooth, accessible and easy. We couldn't have done it without you."
Our pricing is always transparent
All prices are inclusive of GST.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Partner Visa Subclass 100?
The Subclass 100 is the permanent stage of the offshore partner visa. It lets the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen live in Australia indefinitely. It's applied for at the same time as the Subclass 309- one application, two stages.
What is the difference between the 309 and 100?
The 309 is a temporary (provisional) visa granted first- usually within 12 to 24 months- that lets you live and work in Australia while your application is reviewed. The 100 is the permanent stage, assessed approximately two years after your original lodgement date. Together, they form the complete offshore partner visa pathway.
How long does it take for Visa Subclass 100 to be granted?
Processing times vary. Typically, the Department of Home Affairs reviews your eligibility for the 100 about two years after you lodged your original application. After that review, the 100 can take anywhere from 6 to 25 months depending on the complexity of your case and the documents you provide. Check the Department of Home Affairs website for current processing time estimates.
Is a Subclass 100 holder a permanent resident?
Yes. Once granted, the Subclass 100 gives you permanent residency in Australia. You can live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely, access Medicare, travel freely to and from Australia for five years, and after meeting the residency requirement, apply for Australian citizenship.
Can I apply for Australian citizenship after the Subclass 100?
Yes. Once you hold the Subclass 100, you're eligible to work towards Australian citizenship. You'll generally need to have lived in Australia for at least four years (including one year as a permanent resident) before you can apply. Citizenship requirements are set by the Department of Home Affairs.
What does the Department of Home Affairs look for in the 100 assessment?
At the two-year review stage, the Department wants to see that your relationship is still genuine and ongoing. This means providing updated evidence across four areas: your financial ties together, your shared household, your social recognition as a couple, and your ongoing commitment to the relationship. Evidence you gathered for the 309 lodgement may need to be supplemented with more recent documentation.
Do I need a migration lawyer or agent for the Subclass 100?
You don't legally need one- but most people find the process complex, particularly when it comes to gathering relationship evidence and drafting a compelling relationship statement. At Matilda, partner visas are handled by immigration lawyers (not just migration agents), so you benefit from a higher level of legal expertise.
What happens if my Subclass 100 is refused?
With Matilda, if your visa isn't approved, you don't pay our fee- that's our no-visa-no-fee policy. Note that the Government application fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. A refusal is relatively rare when applications are properly prepared, but if it does happen, your lawyer will advise you on your review and appeal options.
Ready to apply for your offshore partner visa?
Matilda’s immigration lawyers handle your entire 309/100 application - evidence, lodgement, and everything in between. No visa, no fee.
