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Spouse visa for Australia from Sri Lanka
Partner Visa 309 Consultants in Sri Lanka
Join your husband, wife or de facto partner in Australia with an offshore partner visa prepared by a registered migration agent. We help you build strong relationship evidence and one complete application for both the 309 and the permanent 100 visa.
Speak to an advisor: +94 74 291 8914
Get your free partner visa assessment
Tell us about your relationship and your partner in Australia. A migration advisor will call you within one working day with your options and checklist.
Your details are used only to contact you about your partner visa. We never share them with third parties.
What Is the Partner Visa Subclass 309?
The Partner (Provisional) visa subclass 309 is an offshore partner visa for the married or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
You apply for the temporary 309 and the permanent subclass 100 together, in one application. You must be outside Australia when you apply and when the 309 is granted.
Partner Visa 309 Benefits
- Live in Australia with your partner while the permanent stage is processed
- Work and study in Australia
- Travel in and out of Australia as often as you like
- Enrol in Medicare, Australia's public health scheme
- Free English classes through the Adult Migrant English Program if eligible
- A clear pathway to permanent residence through the subclass 100
Want to know if your relationship evidence is strong enough? Get a free assessment.
Check my eligibilityAustralian Partner Visa 309 Requirements
- You are 18 or older
- You are married to, or in a de facto relationship with, your sponsor
- Your sponsor is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Your relationship is genuine and continuing
- You are outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is granted
- You meet health and character requirements
- Your sponsor meets sponsorship limits and character checks
De facto partners usually need to have lived together for at least 12 months before applying, unless an exception applies.
Partner Visa 309 Document Checklist
- Passports, birth certificates and national identity cards for both partners
- Marriage certificate, or evidence of your de facto relationship
- Your sponsor's proof of Australian citizenship or permanent residence
- Joint bank statements and shared financial records
- Evidence of living together or plans to live together
- Photos together, travel records and communication history
- Statements from friends and family about your relationship
- Police certificates from every country where you lived for 12 months or more
- Health examinations when requested
How to Prove a Genuine Relationship
Home Affairs looks at your relationship as a whole. Strong applications cover all four areas below, with evidence over time, not just recent documents.
Financial
Joint bank accounts, shared bills, money transfers, joint assets or loans, and evidence that you share costs.
Household
How you live together or plan to, shared accommodation, and how you divide household responsibilities.
Social
Evidence that family and friends know you as a couple, such as wedding photos, invitations, events and statements.
Commitment
Your knowledge of each other, regular contact when apart, visits, and plans for your future together.
Arranged marriages are accepted. Many Sri Lankan couples meet through family introductions. Home Affairs accepts arranged marriages when the relationship is genuine. We help you explain your cultural context and show how your relationship has developed since.
Weak relationship evidence is the most common reason for delays. Get yours reviewed before you apply.
Review my evidenceWhy Use Partner Visa Consultants in Sri Lanka?
Partner visas are expensive, take a long time and depend heavily on your evidence. These are the real problems couples face, and where a registered migration agent helps most.
Long waiting times
Partner visas can take well over a year. A complete application from the start avoids extra delays from requests for more information.
Long distance relationships
Couples living apart need clear evidence of contact, visits and commitment. We show you what to collect and how to present it.
Sponsor history
Sponsors who have sponsored a partner before, or who have certain criminal records, may face limits. We check this before you pay the fee.
A high government fee
The visa charge is not refunded if your application is refused, so getting it right the first time matters.
How Our Partner Visa Agents Help
As partner visa consultants in Sri Lanka with our own registered migration agent and an office in Australia, we support both you and your partner from the first check to the permanent visa.
Eligibility and sponsor check
We confirm you and your sponsor meet the requirements and flag any risks before you apply.
Relationship evidence plan
We give you a personalised checklist across all four evidence areas, tailored to your relationship history.
Relationship statements
We guide both partners in writing clear, honest statements about how your relationship developed.
Application lodgement
We prepare and lodge your combined 309 and 100 application with every document checked.
Requests and health checks
We handle requests from Home Affairs and guide your medicals and police certificates.
Subclass 100 stage
When you become eligible, we prepare your updated evidence for the permanent stage.
What you get in your free assessment
- An honest view of your eligibility and any risks
- Advice on the 309 or another partner visa option
- A personalised relationship evidence checklist
- A clear breakdown of government and other costs
- A realistic timeline for your case
Our promise to you
- Advice from our own registered migration agent
- A written fee quote with no hidden charges
- One dedicated advisor for both partners
- No false visa guarantees, because only Home Affairs decides
- Your personal documents kept private and secure
What happens after you fill in the form
Book my free assessmentPartner Visa 309 Application Process
Free assessment
We confirm the right partner visa and check your eligibility and sponsor.
Gather evidence
You and your partner collect documents from your personalised checklist.
Lodge your application
Your combined 309 and 100 application is lodged online, and the visa charge is paid.
Sponsorship
Your partner completes the sponsorship part of the application.
Health and character checks
You complete medicals and provide police certificates when requested.
309 grant
The temporary visa is granted while you are outside Australia, and you can then travel to Australia.
Subclass 100 stage
About 2 years after you applied, you provide updated relationship evidence for the permanent visa.
Partner Visa 309 Cost in 2026
Home Affairs visa application charges from 1 July 2026. One charge covers both the 309 and the 100 when applied for together.
| Applicant | Visa application charge |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | AUD 11,710 |
| Each additional applicant aged 18 or over | AUD 5,860 |
| Each additional applicant under 18 | AUD 2,935 |
Also budget for medical examinations, police certificates, translations and travel. A card payment surcharge may apply. We give you a full written cost plan during your free assessment.
The visa charge is not refunded if refused. Make sure your application is ready first.
Get my free reviewPartner Visa 309 Processing Time
Processing times change often. At the time of writing, Home Affairs reports that half of subclass 309 applications are decided within about 17 months and 90% within about 30 months.
Complete applications with strong evidence are generally processed faster. We check the current Home Affairs processing time for you before you apply.
From 309 to Partner Visa 100
- You become eligible to be assessed for the permanent subclass 100 about 2 years after you applied
- You provide updated evidence that your relationship continues
- If your relationship had already lasted 3 years, or 2 years with a child together, the 100 may be granted at the same time as the 309
- Once the 100 is granted, you are an Australian permanent resident
Difference Between Partner Visa 309 and 820
| Feature | 309/100 (offshore) | 820/801 (onshore) |
|---|---|---|
| Where you apply | Outside Australia | Inside Australia |
| Where the visa is granted | Outside Australia | Inside Australia |
| Main applicant charge | AUD 11,710 | AUD 11,710 |
| Path to permanent residence | Subclass 100 | Subclass 801 |
Already in Australia? See our partner visa 820 page. Want to visit your partner while you wait? Explore our Australia visit visa support.
Common Reasons for Refusal or Delay
- Relationship evidence that is thin or only recent
- De facto relationships without 12 months of living together
- Sponsorship limits or sponsor character issues
- Missing police certificates or medicals
- Being in Australia when the 309 is ready to be granted
- Inconsistent details between the two partners' statements
Lessons From Sri Lankan Couples
- Keeping evidence of every call, message and visit makes a long distance relationship easier to prove
- Couples in arranged marriages do well when they show how their bond has grown
- Planning travel carefully avoids being in Australia when the 309 is due
- Gathering police certificates early prevents months of extra waiting
Exploring other routes to Australia? See the 189 visa, 190 visa and 491 visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the best partner visa agent in Sri Lanka?
Choose partner visa consultants who work with a registered migration agent you can check on the official register, explain fees in writing and review your relationship evidence carefully. Avoid anyone who guarantees a visa, because only Home Affairs decides.
What is the partner visa subclass 309?
It is a temporary offshore partner visa for the married or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. It is the first stage towards the permanent subclass 100.
Is the partner visa 309 permanent residency?
No. The 309 is temporary. The permanent stage is the subclass 100, which you apply for in the same application and are assessed for later.
How much does the partner visa 309 cost in 2026?
From 1 July 2026, the visa application charge is AUD 11,710 for the main applicant, AUD 5,860 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over and AUD 2,935 for each child under 18. This covers both the 309 and the 100.
How long does the partner visa 309 take?
At the time of writing, Home Affairs reports about 17 months for half of applications and about 30 months for 90%. Times change, so we check the current figure for you.
Can I apply for a spouse visa for Australia from Sri Lanka?
Yes. Married spouses and de facto partners living in Sri Lanka usually apply for the offshore partner visa subclass 309.
Is an arranged marriage accepted for a partner visa?
Yes. Arranged marriages are accepted when the relationship is genuine and continuing. You need evidence of how your relationship has developed.
Can I visit Australia while my 309 is being processed?
You may be able to visit on a separate visitor visa, but you must be outside Australia when the 309 is granted. We help you plan travel safely.
What is the difference between the partner visa 309 and 820?
The 309 is for applicants outside Australia, while the 820 is for applicants inside Australia. Both lead to permanent residence and have the same main applicant charge.
Can I include my children in my partner visa 309?
Yes. You can include dependent children. Each additional applicant pays a charge and must meet health and character requirements.
Do de facto partners need to live together for 12 months?
Usually yes, before you apply. There are exceptions, such as a relationship registered in an Australian state or territory, or compelling circumstances.
Can I work and study on a 309 visa?
Yes. Once your 309 is granted, you can work and study in Australia and enrol in Medicare.
What happens if our relationship ends before the 100 is granted?
In some situations, such as family violence or the death of your partner, you may still be able to continue. Speak to a registered migration agent about your circumstances.
Can a partner visa 309 be refused?
Yes. Refusals usually come from weak relationship evidence, sponsor issues or missing documents. The visa charge is not refunded if refused.
Where is your office in Sri Lanka?
Our office is at 36/3/2 Pavilian Building, Gamini Mawatha, Galle. We offer online consultations for couples in Colombo, Kandy, Jaffna and across the island.
Start Your Partner Visa 309 Application Today
Talk to our partner visa 309 consultants in Sri Lanka. We will check your eligibility, review your relationship evidence and prepare a complete application with our own registered migration agent. Your first assessment is free.
