Australia · For Indian Applicants
Australia Partner Visa Subclass 309 / 100 from India
Indian partners of Australian citizens or PR holders apply through Subclass 309 first. After 2 years, the same file converts to Subclass 100 PR. So this guide walks you through both stages.
8 min read
Table of contents
- 1. Who can apply for the 309 partner visa from India?
- 2. Evidence Home Affairs wants to see
- 3. Cost of partner visa 309/100 in INR (2026)
- 4. Processing time and VFS step in India
- 5. Switching from Subclass 309 to Subclass 100 PR
- 6. Common reasons partner visas are refused
- 7. Subclass 309 (provisional) vs Subclass 100 (PR)
- 8. Frequently asked questions
- 9. Sources & citations
Who can apply for the 309 partner visa from India?
First, you must be married to or in a de-facto bond with an Australian citizen, PR holder, or eligible NZ citizen.
Marriage must be legal in India. So a registered marriage certificate from the SDM is the first proof.
Also, de-facto couples need 12 months of cohabitation proof, unless the bond is registered in Australia.
Evidence Home Affairs wants to see
Next, build four buckets of proof. First, financial: joint bank account, shared loans, and remittance receipts.
Second, household: rent agreement with both names, joint utility bills, and home photos.
Third, social: wedding album, family WhatsApp chats, and friend statutory declarations. Fourth, commitment: future travel and joint insurance.
Cost of partner visa 309/100 in INR (2026)
Then comes the price. The 309/100 fee is AUD 9,365 (INR 5,12,000). One fee covers both stages.
Also, dependent kids add AUD 2,355 each.
So a couple with one child pays around INR 6,40,000 in total visa fees.
Processing time and VFS step in India
Next, processing in 2026 sits at 13 to 23 months for 75% of files.
First lodge online via ImmiAccount. Then book biometrics at any VFS Global centre, like BKC Mumbai or Saket Delhi.
Also, medicals at Bupa MVS clinics close the file. Final grant arrives by email.
Switching from Subclass 309 to Subclass 100 PR
Then, around 2 years after lodgment, Home Affairs reviews your file again.
You upload fresh proof of an ongoing relationship: more bills, photos, and travel.
Also, if the relationship started before 3 years from the original lodgment, you may get 100 PR straight away.
Common reasons partner visas are refused
Finally, the top refusal reason is thin social proof. So include a wide friend and family circle.
Next, many Indian couples skip the registered marriage certificate. Religious ceremony alone is not enough.
Also, repeat short visits to Australia without cohabitation can backfire.
Subclass 309 (provisional) vs Subclass 100 (PR)
| Feature | Subclass 309 | Subclass 100 |
|---|---|---|
| Stage | Stage 1, provisional | Stage 2, permanent |
| Lodged from | Outside Australia | Auto-review of same file |
| Visa fee | Included in AUD 9,365 | No extra charge |
| Processing time | 13 to 23 months | Within 2 years of stage 1 |
| Work rights | Full | Full |
| Medicare | Yes | Yes |
| Sponsor obligations | Up to 2 years | Until grant |
| Citizenship clock | Pauses | Starts at grant |
Frequently asked questions
Sources & citations
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