Together 3 Years, or 2 With a Child? Getting Both Partner Visa Stages at Once

Most partner visa applicants wait about 2 years from lodgement before the permanent visa is considered. Couples in a long term partner relationship can skip that wait and be granted both stages together.

What counts

Situation	Long term partner relationship?
Together 3 years or more when you apply	Yes
Together 2 years or more with a dependent child of both of you	Yes
Together 2 years with a step child	No
Together 2 years and 10 months when you apply, 3 years by decision	No, because it is assessed at application

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How the time is counted

Timing your application matters. The relationship length is measured at the time you apply, not at the time of decision. The time counts the relationship itself, which can include a period as de facto partners before you married. Time dating before your de facto relationship began may not count. Waiting a little longer to lodge can sometimes save years of waiting for permanent residence, although you need to weigh this against your visa status in the meantime.

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What still has to be shown

You still need to show a genuine and continuing relationship, and meet health, character and sponsorship requirements, at the time of the decision. The concession only removes the 2 year wait. The Department applies the same concession offshore, so the 100 can be granted with the 309 for couples in a long term partner relationship.

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Evidence of the relationship length

• joint leases, mortgages or bills going back to the start date you claim;
• evidence of when you started living together;
• a child’s birth certificate naming both of you;
• travel records, photos and statutory declarations covering the full period.

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What you should do now

• Work out your start date: identify when your relationship began and gather evidence from that time.
• Count to the lodgement date: check whether you will have 3 years, or 2 with a child, on the day you lodge.
• Consider timing: if you are close, ask us whether waiting to lodge makes sense for you.
• Claim it clearly: explain in the application that you are in a long term partner relationship.