Long-Term Relationship Partner Visa: How Does This Affect You?
When it comes to Australian partner visa applications, the nature and length of your relationship with your partner can play a significant role in how your application is assessed. Not only can the duration of your relationship impact the strength of your application, but it may also influence the speed at which your pathway to permanent residency is processed. A Long-Term Relationship Partner Visa could potentially fast-track your journey, depending on how long you’ve been together.
The Department of Home Affairs takes various factors into account when determining whether your relationship qualifies for this visa. So, what exactly counts as a long-term relationship, and how does it benefit your Australian partner visa outcome? In this article, we’ll explore the specific criteria and explain how meeting the long-term relationship requirements could help streamline your visa application process and potentially improve the likelihood of a positive outcome.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general guidance only and is not legal advice. Australian immigration law is complex and changes frequently. Your individual circumstances are unique, so for advice tailored to your situation, it’s always best to consult with an Australian legal practitioner.
At Flow Migration Law, we focus on providing clear pathways for partner visa applicants. If you’d like to discuss your specific case, you can book a consultation with us.
Video Case Study: Get Your Australian Permanent Partner Visa FASTER
Before diving into the detailed breakdown, you can watch the real-life case study this article is based on. In this video, I explain the ‘double grant’ where both the temporary and permanent partner visas may be granted at the same time. I’ll cover the specific definitions the Department of Home Affairs uses for a long-term relationship, including the 3-year rule and the 2-year rule for couples with a dependent child. We will also discuss why meeting the timeframe isn’t automatic and how to build a strong application that clearly demonstrates your eligibility. Securing a ‘double grant’ can provide immense peace of mind and allows you to build your life in Australia with certainty, much sooner.
Am I Eligible for a Long-Term Relationship Partner Visa?
In immigration terms, a “long-term” relationship doesn’t just refer to how strongly you feel about each other. The Department of Home Affairs looks at the duration of your relationship in very specific ways:
3 years together: If you and your partner don’t have dependent children, you need to have been in a de facto relationship or married for at least three years.
2 years together: If you do have a dependent child together (not including stepchildren), the required timeframe drops to two years.
This duration must be supported with compelling relationship evidence against the relevant areas of relationship like joint financial responsibilities, shared living arrangements, emotional and social support, and plans for the future often called the Four Pillars of partner visa.
Why Does This Matter for Your Partner Visa?
Normally, when you apply for a partner visa, there are two stages:
A temporary visa (subclass 820 or 309), which is granted first.
A permanent visa (subclass 801 or 100), which becomes available approximately two years after the initial application.
If you meet the long-term relationship criteria for a partner visa, you may be eligible to receive both the temporary and permanent partner visas at the same time, commonly referred to as a ‘double grant’. This means you could bypass the usual two-stage process and be granted permanent residency from the outset.
This can be a huge relief for many couples, both emotionally and practically. It means greater certainty, faster access to social services, and a smoother transition to building a life together in Australia.
What Does the Department Want to See?
The Department of Home Affairs takes a holistic approach when assessing long-term relationships. To meet the criteria, not only for a partner visa generally, but also to be recognised as a long-term relationship, the partnership must be genuine, continuing, and exclusive throughout the relevant period and at the time of decision.
Even where a couple technically meets the required time threshold, uncertainties can still arise, especially if the relationship only just meets the minimum duration, or if there were periods of complexity during the relevant period, such as a temporary time apart for personal or practical reasons.
In these situations, it’s essential to provide clear, well-structured submissions and strong supporting evidence that demonstrate the ongoing nature of your relationship.
What Should You Do Next?
If you’re in a long-term relationship, now is a great time to gather the right evidence and prepare a strong, well-documented application. Every relationship is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all formula. That said, understanding how your timeline and life together are viewed from an immigration perspective can give your application a real advantage.
Need help? At Flow Migration Law, we focus exclusively on partner visa matters and are here to support you whether you’re doing it yourself or looking for professional guidance. Feel free to get in touch if you’d like to talk through your situation.
FAQ: Applying for a Partner Visa Based on Long-Term Relationship
❓What is considered a Long-Term Relationship Visa Australia? A relationship is typically considered long-term if you’ve been together for at least three years, or two years if you share a dependent child. This applies whether you’re married or in a de facto relationship.
❓Why does being in a long-term relationship matter for a partner visa? It can significantly impact the outcome of your application. If you meet the long-term criteria, you may be granted a permanent visa from the outset—sometimes referred to as a “double grant”—without going through the two-stage visa process.
❓Is Partner Visa for Long-Term Relationships only about how long we’ve been together? No—while the timeline is important, the substance and depth of the relationship also matter. The Department looks at the whole picture: whether your relationship is genuine, continuing, and exclusive.
❓What if we had a short separation during the relationship? Temporary breaks or complex periods don’t automatically disqualify you. But they do need to be explained and supported with context and evidence in your application. This is where a strong legal submission can make a big difference.
❓Is Long-Term Relationship Partner Visa automatic that I’ll receive the ‘double grant’ if we’ve been together long enough? No, applying for a partner visa based on Long-Term Relationship is not always automatic. While the Department can and should recognise a long-term relationship during assessment, it’s strongly recommended that you clearly highlight this upfront. Submitting a well-prepared application with a strong written submission can help ensure the Department considers your eligibility for a double grant from the start.
❓Can we apply for a Long-Term Relationship Partner Visa if we’re not married but have lived together for several years? Yes, you can apply for a Long-Term Relationship Partner Visa even if you’re not married, as long as you meet the criteria for a de facto relationship. The Department of Home Affairs considers couples in de facto relationships who have lived together for at least 12 months (or have registered the relationship where possible). It’s essential to provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate that your relationship is genuine and continuing to the exclusion of all others.
Jay Son is the Founder of Flow Migration Law and an Australian Immigration Lawyer with over 8 years of experience helping couples and families navigate the Australian partner visa and all family immigration processes. He works closely with each client to simplify the legal complexities and provide clear and strategic guidance tailored to their unique journey.
Jay is also a strong Migration Advocate and is highly experienced in challenging government decisions in relation to Australian immigration law, solving difficult migration matters and visa problems including the ART appeals, visa refusals, visa cancellations, Schedule 3 submissions, health waivers and character concerns.
