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Partner Visa Sydney / Sydney and NSW

Sydney and NSW partner visa guide

Partner Visa Sydney

A partner visa for a couple in Sydney is the same national visa Home Affairs grants everywhere (subclasses 820 and 801 in Australia, 309 and 100 from overseas, 300 before marriage), and what changes in Sydney is the NSW registry paperwork, the appointment-only offices and where to send a legal enquiry.

Enquiries from this site go to Australian Migration Lawyers. This site does not compare law firms.

Enquiry form

Which partner visa pathway applies in Sydney?

Couple's situation Relevant pathway NSW step Next action
Married Subclasses 820 and 801 in Australia, or 309 and 100 from overseas The official NSW marriage certificate is ordered from the NSW Registry after the celebrant registers the marriage Confirm the subclass with a lawyer before lodging
De facto The same subclasses Registering the relationship is optional. Home Affairs usually asks for 12 months together, but not for a registered relationship Decide whether to register
Planning to marry Subclass 300, prospective marriage: the couple must intend to marry before the visa period ends A Notice of Intended Marriage goes to the celebrant at least 1 month before the ceremony Give notice, then marry

Which NSW relationship step applies?

NSW has two steps near a partner visa: registering a relationship, or marrying.

Registration is open to unmarried adults when at least one partner lives in NSW. It does not secure a visa. For a de facto couple it removes only the 12-month duration requirement, and every other criterion still applies. The NSW relationship register page sets out who can register, the fees and the cooling-off period. NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages

$198

The NSW Registry fee to register a relationship. A standard certificate costs $70 more.

Source: NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages, checked 18 October 2026

Do Sydney Home Affairs offices accept walk-ins?

No. Home Affairs offices in Australia see people by appointment only, and most applications are made online in ImmiAccount. If the Department needs to see an applicant, it sends a letter or calls. Home Affairs offices in Australia

Where does a Sydney lawyer enquiry go?

Every enquiry sent through this site goes to Australian Migration Lawyers. This site names no other firm. A partner visa with Australian Migration Lawyers usually costs $14,000 plus GST. Two pages explain the lawyer's role:

What other NSW paperwork needs checking?

  • Official NSW marriage certificate: applied for after the marriage is registered. The certificate handed over on the day is ceremonial.
  • Notice of Intended Marriage: valid for 18 months from the day the celebrant receives it.
  • Home Affairs office appointments: booked only when the Department asks to see an applicant.

An application prepared by an Australian migration lawyer is more likely to succeed, because one unmet criterion refuses a partner visa.

Send an enquiry

Departments

  1. Partner visa in SydneyThe pathways and the NSW steps around them
  2. Partner visa lawyersTasks, costs and where refusals are reviewed
  3. Immigration lawyerThe wider Sydney question, answered for partner visas
  4. NSW relationship registerFees, cooling-off and the 12-month rule
  5. AboutWho publishes this guide and where enquiries go
  6. EnquireSend a partner visa question