Thereandback

Does any one know how long off shore partner visas are taking atm. We have just sold our house and not sure if we should apply off shore or on shore 🤔

Domini

Hello, my Partner or Prospective Marriage Visa 309 took 11 months. Submitted Feb 2019

Thereandback

thanks for that. Will have to apply onshore as travelling out in October.

quoll

why not apply for it now, you never know your luck. Then if it comes you win and if it doesn't you go over on a tourist visa and be prepared to leave when your partner visa is issued. It's quicker to do it offshore and are you going to lie to Immigration about your intentions to be in the country?

Thereandback

We have sold our house and will be homeless from the end of August. DUC have recommended applying onshore and as my husband has never been to Aus he can at least see if its for him before applying. That's not really lying to immigration.

Dorothy

It is when he arrives on a tourist visa and the border agent asks the purpose of his visit.

Thereandback

Advice taken, applying onshore. Fingers crossed it doesn't take too long.

BritInParis

Expect to wait at least two years if applying onshore. Another vote for applying offshore.

Paul Hand

It is neither illegal or ‘immoral’ to apply for a partner visa onshore whilst holding a visitor visa. It’s a perfectly valid pathway which thousands of people use to obtain partner visas. The key question a Departmental official is supposed to ask is “will this person abide by the conditions of their current visa” not “will they legally make another visa application”.

That said, my view is do it offshore if the timing works, processing is quicker and you avoid the limbo of 2 years on a bridging visa.