Partner Visa Glossary: Australian Visa Terms in Plain English

Start here if the terminology feels overwhelming

You should not need to learn a new language just to understand the next step in your relationship. This glossary explains common Australian partner visa terms in everyday words, with links to more detailed guidance when you need it.

A short definition cannot answer whether you qualify for a visa. Use it to understand the conversation and identify the questions to ask about your own circumstances. If you have a letter with a deadline, get advice on that letter rather than relying on a general definition.

The people involved

Applicant: the person seeking the visa. Some applications also include eligible family members. Being listed in a family section of a form does not necessarily mean someone has been included as a visa applicant.

Sponsor: the partner supporting the application through the relevant sponsorship process. A sponsor has their own eligibility requirements; being in a genuine relationship is not the only question.

Registered migration agent: a person registered to provide immigration assistance under the applicable registration framework.

Australian legal practitioner: a lawyer entitled to practise under Australian legal profession laws. A lawyer may provide immigration assistance. Read our lawyer and migration agent comparison when deciding what help you need.

Authorised recipient: someone appointed to receive Department correspondence. Receiving letters and providing immigration advice are different functions.

Your relationship and the evidence

Spouse: a married partner. A marriage certificate is relevant, but the visa assessment also examines the relationship requirements.

De facto partner: a partner in a relationship meeting the migration law definition without relying on marriage. Dating, sharing an address or calling someone your partner does not settle that legal question by itself.

Registered relationship: a relationship registered under an applicable state or territory scheme. Its migration effect depends on the relevant rules. Read our registration and 12-month rule guide.

Four pillars: informal shorthand for financial, household, social and commitment evidence. It is not a points test with a set number of documents for each category.

Relationship statement: your written explanation of the relationship history and present circumstances. A statement is not automatically a statutory declaration; that term refers to a particular legal form and process.

Form 888: a supporting statement from someone who knows the couple and their relationship history. Always use the current Department form and instructions.

The visa numbers

820 and 801: the temporary and permanent stages of the onshore partner visa pathway. See our 820/801 hub.

309 and 100: the provisional and permanent stages of the offshore partner visa pathway. See our 309/100 hub.

300: the Prospective Marriage visa, a separate pathway for eligible couples intending to marry. It is not simply another name for an 820 or 309 application.

Stage 2: the permanent-stage assessment. Follow the current instructions for providing the required information; a temporary grant does not mean you can ignore the permanent stage.

Double grant: an informal description of temporary/provisional and permanent grants occurring together or close together. It is not a separately purchased priority service.

ImmiAccount, TRN and application status

ImmiAccount: the Department’s online service used for applications and related tasks.

TRN: Transaction Reference Number. Keep it with your application records and use the correct reference when linking related steps.

Lodgement: submission of an application. A saved draft is different from a submitted application. Keep the acknowledgement and payment records.

Decision-ready: a practical description of a well-prepared application. It is not a separate visa class or a guarantee that Home Affairs will decide it quickly.

Processing time guide: information based on recently decided applications. It does not promise a decision date for your individual case.

Request for information: a request for additional material. Read the actual notice carefully, including how and when to respond. Do not assume a request means either approval or refusal.

Bridging visas and conditions

Bridging visa: a visa that can provide a lawful basis to remain during particular immigration processes. Its grant, commencement, duration and conditions need to be checked individually.

BVA, BVB and BVC: abbreviations for Bridging Visas A, B and C. They are not interchangeable. In particular, do not book overseas travel assuming that every bridging visa permits you to leave and return.

VEVO: Visa Entitlement Verification Online, used to check current visa details and conditions.

No Further Stay: a visa condition that can restrict further applications in Australia. Whether a waiver is possible requires an individual assessment.

Schedule 3: additional criteria that can be relevant to some onshore applications involving a person without a substantive visa. It is not simply an extra document checklist.

If something changes or goes wrong

Withdrawal: ending an application or sponsorship process through the relevant procedure. It is different from a refusal or cancellation, and its consequences should be checked first.

Refusal: a decision not to grant an application. Review rights, the person entitled to seek review and the deadline depend on the decision.

Cancellation: a decision affecting a visa already granted. Do not confuse a temporary relationship problem with an automatic cancellation.

ART: Administrative Review Tribunal. Some migration decisions can be reviewed there. A general blog cannot tell you the deadline for your decision letter.

Family violence provisions: provisions that may allow an eligible application to continue after relationship breakdown in particular circumstances. You do not need to stay in an unsafe relationship to seek legal advice.

How to use this glossary in a consultation

Bring the actual visa grant letter, application acknowledgement or Department notice. Highlight the terms you do not understand and ask what they mean for your next step.

A useful question is: “Does this term describe my current visa, an application I have made, or something I still need to apply for?” That distinction often resolves confusion before it leads to a missed step.

For an overview of the available pathways, start with our partner visa lawyers hub.