Moving to Australia to be with your partner is an exciting journey, but applying for a partner visa in Australia can feel overwhelming. Suppose you’re an Indian citizen planning to join your spouse or de facto partner in Australia. In that case, this guide will help you understand the complete application process, costs in rupees, and India-specific requirements.
Which Partner Visa Should You Choose?
Australia offers different partner visa options depending on where you’re applying from:
Subclass 309/100 (Offshore) – For Indians applying from India. You get a temporary visa (309) first, then permanent residency (100) after two years. This is the most common choice for Indian applicants.
Subclass 820/801 (Onshore) – For Indians already in Australia on another visa. You can apply from within Australia and receive a Bridging Visa immediately, allowing you to stay and work while waiting.
Subclass 300 (Prospective Marriage) – For engaged couples who plan to marry within 9 months of arriving in Australia.
Most Indians living in India apply for the Subclass 309/100 combination.
Not sure which Partner Visa is right for you?
Let us guide you step by step!
Quick Eligibility Check
Ensure you fulfil the following basic requirements before beginning your application:
- Your partner is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- You’re legally married OR in a de facto relationship (living together 12+ months)
- Both of you are 18 years or older.
- Your relationship is genuine and ongoing.
- You meet health and character requirements.
Good news for Indian couples: Arranged marriages are fully recognised by Australian immigration. You just need to prove your commitment is genuine and your relationship is continuing.
Need Expert Help With Your Partner Visa Application?
The partner visa process involves complex documentation and strict requirements. At Bombay Migrations, our MARA-registered immigration consultants specialise in helping Indian applicants prepare strong applications with thorough document review and personalised guidance.
Book Your Consultation With Our Experts Today →
Get professional support from the eligibility check to the visa grant!
Money-Saving Tips:
1. Organise documents yourself (save ₹25,000-75,000 on document services)
2. Use Wise or Remitly for better currency exchange rates (save ₹5,000-15,000). These are online money transfer services that allow you to send money internationally at competitive rates, often cheaper than banks, making it easier to pay visa fees or other expenses.
3. Only get essential documents professionally translated
Documents You’ll Need: India-Specific Requirements
Identity Documents:
• Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
• Birth certificate
• Indian marriage certificate (must be registered and apostilled)
• PAN card and Aadhaar card
• Wedding photos (15-20 quality photos from different ceremonies)
Important: Your marriage certificate must be apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India. This process takes 5-10 working days and costs ₹50 per document.
Relationship Evidence: You need to prove your relationship across four areas:
1. Financial: Joint bank accounts, money transfers between India and Australia, joint investments
2. Social: Wedding photos, social media posts, photos with mutual friends/family
3. Household: Rental agreements, utility bills in both names, shared expenses
4. Commitment: Communication records (WhatsApp, calls, emails), travel together, plans
Special tip for long-distance couples: If you haven’t lived together due to distance, focus on daily communication logs, evidence of multiple visits to each other, and clear plans to live together.
Documents Requiring Translation: All Hindi or regional language documents need NAATI-certified English translation:
• Marriage certificate
• Birth certificates
• Bank statements
• Employment letters
Getting Your Police Clearance Certificate
You need a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) from every country you’ve lived in for 12+ months in the past 10 years.
How to get an Indian PCC:
1. Apply online through Passport Seva Portal
2. Visit the Regional Passport Office with the required documents
3. Submit address proof and identity documents
4. Pay ₹500 fee
5. Receive PCC in 7-15 working days
Important: PCC is valid for only 12 months from the issue date.
Medical Examinations in India
You must complete medical examinations with approved panel physicians only.
Panel physicians are available in:
• Delhi NCR (South Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon)
• Mumbai (Andheri, Bandra, Churchgate)
• Bangalore (Koramangala, Indiranagar)
• Chennai (T Nagar, Anna Nagar)
• Plus Hyderabad, Pune, Kolkata, Ahmedabad
Tests include:
• Physical examination
• Chest X-ray
• Blood tests (HIV, Hepatitis B)
• Urine analysis
Important: Medical results are valid for only 12 months. Don’t complete this too early!
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Create ImmiAccount (Week 1)
Register free at the Department of Home Affairs website. This portal manages your entire application.
Step 2: Gather Identity Documents (Week 1-2)
Collect passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, and photos.
Step 3: Get Police Clearance (Week 2-3)
Apply through the Passport Seva Portal. Receive in 7-15 days.
Step 4: Apostille Documents (Week 3-4)
Submit the marriage certificate and other required documents to the MEA for apostille. Takes 5-10 days.
What is an Apostille by MEA(Ministry of External Affairs)?
- An apostille is a certification that verifies your Indian documents (like your marriage certificate) are authentic for use in foreign countries.
- For visa applications, like the partner visa Australia, the Australian authorities require that your Indian marriage certificate be apostilled to confirm its genuineness.
Step 5: Arrange Translations (Week 4-5)
Send Hindi/regional language documents to NAATI-certified translators.
Step 6: Medical Examination (Week 5-6)
Book an appointment with a panel physician in your city. Complete all required tests.
Step 7: Compile Relationship Evidence (Ongoing)
Organise photos, bank statements, communication records, and statutory declarations from friends/family.
Step 8: Complete Form 47SP (Week 6-7)
This is your main application form. Fill it carefully online through ImmiAccount. Common mistakes include leaving sections blank or providing inconsistent dates.
Step 9: Partner Completes Form 40SP (Week 6-7)
Your Australian partner fills out their sponsorship form simultaneously, providing citizenship proof and financial details.
Step 10: Upload All Documents (Week 7-8)
Organise documents with clear file names like “Marriage_Certificate_Apostilled.pdf” and upload to ImmiAccount.
Step 11: Pay Visa Fee (Week 8)
Pay AUD 9,365 (approximately ₹5,25,000) via international credit card or bank transfer. Keep the payment receipt safe—fees are non-refundable.
Step 12: Submit Application (Week 8)
Review everything thoroughly, then submit. You’ll receive acknowledgment within 24-48 hours.
Step 13: Wait for Decision
Processing times (2025):
• Temporary visa (309): 11-15 months
• Permanent visa (100): 20-24 months after temporary visa
During processing, check ImmiAccount regularly and respond quickly to any requests for additional information.
Common Mistakes Indian Applicants Make
- Submitting documents without apostille stamps
- Using non-NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters) certified translators
- Providing weak relationship evidence for arranged marriages
- Expired medical certificates (valid only 12 months)
- Incomplete police clearance (missing previous addresses)
- Poor quality or insufficient photos
- Inconsistent information between Form 47SP and Form 40SP
- Not explaining the cultural context of Indian weddings.
What You Can Do While Waiting
If applying from within Australia on Subclass 820, you’ll receive a Bridging Visa A immediately, allowing you to:
• Stay in Australia legally
• Work without restrictions
• Study at any institution
• Travel (if you get Bridging Visa B)
If applying offshore (Subclass 309), you must wait outside Australia until your visa is granted.
Life After Visa Grant
With your temporary visa, you can:
• Live in Australia indefinitely
• Work without restrictions
• Study anywhere
• Access Medicare (public healthcare)
• Travel in and out of Australia
• Apply for permanent residency after 2 years
With a permanent visa (after 2 years):
• All temporary visa benefits continue
• Sponsor eligible relatives
• Apply for Australian citizenship after 1 year
• Access social security benefits
When to Seek Professional Help
Consider hiring a MARA-registered migration agent if:
• Your relationship has unique circumstances (significant age gap, short marriage duration)
• You have a complex immigration history or previous visa refusals
• Your relationship is long-distance with limited visits together
• You’re not confident completing forms in English
• You want a professional review before investing ₹6+ lakhs
How Bombay Migrations Can Help
At Bombay Migrations, our MARA-registered immigration consultants provide comprehensive support:
- Eligibility assessment
- Document review and checklist
- Form 47SP and 40SP preparation assistance
- Relationship evidence guidance
- Application lodgement support
- Ongoing case management
We understand the unique challenges Indian applicants face and provide culturally sensitive guidance throughout your visa journey.
Final Thoughts
Applying for an Australian Partner Visa from India requires careful planning, thorough documentation, and patience. While the process takes 11-15 months for a temporary visa and another 20-24 months for permanent residency, thousands of Indian couples successfully reunite in Australia every year.
Start Your Partner Visa Application Today.
FAQ‘s
- What are the eligibility criteria for the Australian Partner Visa Subclass 309 for Indian citizens in 2025?
To be eligible for the Australian Partner Visa (Subclass 309) in 2025, Indian citizens must be married to or in a genuine de facto relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. You must be outside Australia when applying, meet health and character requirements, and provide evidence of your ongoing relationship.
- How to write a Statutory Declaration (Form 888) for the Australian Partner Visa from Indian witnesses?
To write a Statutory Declaration (Form 888) for an Australian Partner Visa, Indian witnesses should clearly state how they know the couple and confirm the genuineness of the relationship. The statement must include the witness’s full name, address, signature, and contact details, and it should be signed before an authorised person such as a notary public or magistrate.
- How long does the Australia Partner Visa processing take after submitting biometrics in India?
After submitting biometrics in India, the Australian Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100) processing can take around 12 to 18 months on average, depending on factors like application completeness, relationship evidence, and background checks. Processing times may vary, so applicants should regularly check their status through ImmiAccount.
- When do I pay the second stage fee for the permanent Partner Visa (Subclass 100)?
The Australian Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100) is a two-stage visa applied for together. You pay the first instalment of the visa fee upfront when lodging your application. The second instalment, if applicable, is paid before the permanent Subclass 100 visa is granted, usually about two years after the temporary Subclass 309 visa is issued.
- Where in India are the biometrics required for the Australian Partner Visa collected?
Biometrics for the Australian Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100) in India are collected at VFS Global Australian Visa Application Centres in major cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Chandigarh. You must book an appointment online and bring your appointment letter, biometric instruction letter, and a valid photo ID for fingerprint and facial image collection.
