Moved to Another Country While Your Subclass 309 Is Processing? What You Must Update

An offshore Subclass 309 applicant can move to another country while the Partner Visa is processing. The application does not normally need to be withdrawn simply because the applicant’s country of residence changes. But Home Affairs must have accurate address, contact, passport and circumstance information, and the move can create new police, health and practical processing issues.

For the main offshore pathway, see our Subclass 309/100 Partner Visa hub.

Update the new residential and postal address

Home Affairs requires applicants to update residential and postal addresses if they change. ImmiAccount allows address details to be updated directly. If you will live at a different residential address for more than 14 days, Home Affairs specifically instructs applicants to update it.

Update phone and email details if they change

Home Affairs may contact the applicant directly even where a sponsor or representative is also involved. Keep the applicant’s own email and telephone details current so requests are not missed.

Could a new police certificate become necessary?

Yes. If the applicant spends a cumulative 12 months or more in the new country during the relevant 10-year period, Home Affairs can require a police certificate from that country. Long processing times can therefore create new character-document obligations that did not exist at lodgement.

What about the visa grant location?

Current rules allow a Subclass 309 to be granted while the applicant is either in or outside Australia, even though the application itself must have been lodged while the applicant was outside Australia. Moving from one overseas country to another does not create a new 309 application.

Could the move affect health examinations?

Potentially. If Home Affairs requires new or further health examinations, the applicant may need to use an approved panel physician in the country where they now live. Keep ImmiAccount updated so the Department’s instructions match the current location.

Illustrative case example: applicant moves from Nepal to the UAE

Composite example: A 309 applicant lodged while living in Nepal and later accepted employment in the UAE. The application remained valid, but the residential address and phone number were updated immediately. After more than 12 months in the UAE, the applicant also prepared for an additional police certificate when the Department requested updated character evidence.

Move-country checklist

• Update residential and postal address.
• Update phone and email details.
• Update passport details if the move coincides with a new passport.
• Track time spent in the new country for police-certificate purposes.
• Monitor health examination instructions.
• Keep relationship evidence current despite the move.

Home Affairs explains how to update address and contact details on its After you apply page. For legal assistance, see our 309/100 Partner Visa lawyers page.

General information only. Moving country can create new document requirements even though the original Partner Visa application continues.