South African applicants · Commonwealth of Australia
Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100) for South African citizens
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Residence visa for spouses and de facto partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.
This page covers the Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100) specifically for South African applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to South Africa. The route's general criteria are summarised below, but the current corridor-specific filing, visa-issuance, and entry position above can still determine whether the route is usable.
- Processing time
- No fixed national clock publishedUse the current Home Affairs — Partner visa service for the responsible mission, service centre, authority or live processing-time tool before applying.
- Government fees
- AUD 9,365+ — among the most expensive partner visas globally.
- Typical duration
- Initial provisional to permanent residence.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Bilateral context
- Commonwealth
Consular processing: Pretoria
Tourist entry vs. this route
South African nationals require a visa for any entry into Commonwealth of Australia. The Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100) is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
Key figures for South African applicants
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
How long it takes
No fixed national clock published
Home Affairs — Partner visa does not publish one fixed, route-wide end-to-end processing time that can be stated responsibly for this application route.
Use the current Home Affairs — Partner visa service for the responsible mission, service centre, authority or live processing-time tool before applying.
Verified 10 September 2026 · Home Affairs — Partner visa
Time to permanent residence
Arrival on 482 → 186 ENS after 2 years (Specialist Skills Pathway) or 3-4 years (Core Skills) → PR → citizenship after 4 years from arrival (minimum 12 months as PR).
Leads to Permanent Resident, then Australian citizenship.
Visa overview
Partner visas involve a two-stage process: a temporary visa (subclass 820 onshore / 309 offshore) and a permanent visa (801 / 100) typically 2 years later. De facto partners need 12 months of cohabitation or registered relationship evidence.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Genuine and continuing relationship.
- ✓Sponsor is Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.Australian Government — Office of Parliamentary Counsel / Federal Register of Legislation (Migration Regulations 1994) ↗
Common blockers
- !Insufficient relationship evidence.
Typical evidence
- ·Marriage certificate or registered relationship evidence.
- ·Joint finances and cohabitation history.
Application pathway
Sponsor approval
Sponsor separately approved, often prior to visa lodgement.
Lodge temporary stage
Combined with permanent application.
Wait 2 years (typically)
Before permanent stage considered.
Permanent grant
Upon relationship continuance.
Plan the practical side of your stay
Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Australia. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- ApplyApplicant + sponsorApply for partner visa ↗
Applicants and sponsors use this page to start the combined temporary and permanent partner visa process.
Department of Home Affairs · verified
Other Commonwealth of Australia routes covered for South African applicants
Not sure Commonwealth of Australia is right for you? Compare similar routes
Other countries offer family routes that South African nationals also apply to. See how they compare.
Frequently asked questions
Are South African citizens eligible for the Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100)?+
Eligibility for the Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100) is set by Department of Home Affairs. South African applicants must meet the general route criteria plus any nationality- or location-specific intake requirements described in the current corridor guidance above.
Where do South African applicants typically file the Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100)?+
Pretoria. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by Department of Home Affairs — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do South African applicants need a tourist visa for Commonwealth of Australia as well?+
South African nationals require a visa for any entry into Commonwealth of Australia. The Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100) is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
How long does the Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100) take to process from South Africa?+
Home Affairs — Partner visa does not publish one fixed, route-wide end-to-end processing time that can be stated responsibly for this application route. Use the current Home Affairs — Partner visa service for the responsible mission, service centre, authority or live processing-time tool before applying. South African applicants usually file via Pretoria, and appointment or post-specific backlogs can add to the wait. Source: Home Affairs — Partner visa, verified 10 September 2026.
How long until permanent residence in Commonwealth of Australia?+
Arrival on 482 → 186 ENS after 2 years (Specialist Skills Pathway) or 3-4 years (Core Skills) → PR → citizenship after 4 years from arrival (minimum 12 months as PR). The route leads to Permanent Resident, then Australian citizenship. See Home Affairs — Australian citizenship for the qualifying-residence rules.
Why is the Australian partner visa so expensive?+
Australia has historically priced partner visas at recovery-plus-levy rates. At around AUD 9,000+ for the principal applicant, it is one of the world's most expensive family-migration products. Compare carefully against UK (£1,938 + IHS) and EU family routes.
How we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Department of Home Affairs
Last checked: 1 August 2026