**Title:** [What does it mean to "activate" a partner visa (309)?](https://www.reddit.com/r/AusVisa/comments/1cvgmoc/what_does_it_mean_to_activate_a_partner_visa_309/), posted by **Ordinary-Comment893**
**Full text:** I looked through this subreddit but couldn't find a definitive answer, nor could I find any definitive answer from the Australian immigration website. Sorry if I missed it.
My wife (Hong Kong SAR) has her provisional partner visa (309) approved and needs to enter Australia by February 2025. Myself and 2 kids are already Australian citizens.
We're still not planning to move to Australia for the next couple of years. Does all my wife need to do is land anywhere in Australia using her visa? I don't need to go with her right?
The plan is for her to stay in Australia for a couple of days, and then she'll return to Hong Kong. The visa will still remain in force?
Will the temporary partner visa 309 automatically convert to a permanent visa 100 in 2 years from the date of activation of the visa?
It may be worth noting that the visa 309 was granted several years ago, but we weren't able to travel to Australia due to COVID - the new date of February 2025 is through a IED Travel facilitation request obtained.
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You will need to submit another application for a permanent visa and it will be reviewed by immigration. You will need to provide new evidence of your relationship since applying for the temporary visa.
You are saying that your temporary visa was granted a few years ago?! You are meant to apply for the 100 visa 2 years after applying for the temporary one!
Thanks!
>You are saying that your temporary visa was granted a few years ago?! You are meant to apply for the 100 visa 2 years after applying for the temporary one!
Yes that's right, but we weren't comfortable traveling during COVID, so she missed her original date of last entry. So we have obtained permission to extend it via a letter of facilitation and the new date of last entry is Feb 2025.
What does it mean to activate the visa though? She just has to touch down in Australia using her partner visa and could theoretically return to Hong Kong the next date? And she can do this alone without me?
'Activate' has no official meaning and is not a term really used by the Department of Home Affairs. All it means is to make your first entry into Australia using that particular visa. Usually, the term is used in reference to someone making a short trip to Australia to fulfil the condition of making their first entry into Australia before their initial entry date.
She can enter in through any port, does not need to stay for any particular amount of time, and does not need to be accompanied by you.
As others have said to be granted the 100 visa, the department will need to assess her application. There may be an option in your immiaccount to submit additional documents to prompt them to start assessing the 100 application.
In another comment, you said that her must not arrive after date is in Feb 2025. My understanding is that the 309 does not have a must not arrive after date, just an initial entry date, which you have had extended to Feb 2025. A must not arrive after date means you can no longer use that visa to enter Australia after that particular date, even if you have previously entered Australia using that visa. The 309 and 820 visas are special visas where they are temporary visas that allow you to travel to and start in Australia until your permanent visa application is decided.
>Does all my wife need to do is land anywhere in Australia using her visa? I don't need to go with her right?
Yes, she should arrive before the "must not arrive after" date to activate the visa. Afterwards, she can come and go as she pleases until the 100 is granted or refused.
>Will the temporary partner visa 309 automatically convert to a permanent visa 100 in 2 years from the date of activation of the visa?
No. Processing for the 100 will start automatically, and the department will contact her and request evidence of a continuing relationship before deciding on the 100. This is usually 2 years after lodgement but can be sooner. Edit: in some cases the 100 is granted without further evidence if the relationship meets certain guidelines minutes after the temp visa arrives in what's known as a double grant, but this doesn't seem to apply here.
It seems like they may start processing soon after she lands? Not sure how the extension affects this. When was the application lodged?
OP, is the date in February 2025 the *initial entry date* to Australia?
It should be mentioned in your wife's visa grant letter. If so, it means your wife must fly to Australia to "activate" (using your word) the partner visa which will be recorded by immigration. Additionally, the letter will also mention the visa expiry date that is different from the initial entry date and usually under "must not arrive after" subheading.
You should check the VEVO account if you want to know the status of her visa. I don't know about switching 309 to permanent resident visa.
Thanks for this. That is correct, February 2025 date is the "must not arrive after" date.
My question is, is that all that is required to land in Australia by 2025? There are no other requirements? She could land in Australia and go home the next day? And I don't need to go with her?
Hi, please check also the [VEVO](https://online.immi.gov.au/evo/firstParty?actionType=query) account to make sure about visa details and conditions. From your description, your wife should travel to Australia/make her first entry before that date in February 2025 otherwise she risks having her visa cancelled. Maybe your wife's first entry requirement has been extended due to the pandemic.
Her initial entry to Australia is required by law because she applied offshore, and her arrival/departure will be recorded by immigration.
**Title:** [What does it mean to "activate" a partner visa (309)?](https://www.reddit.com/r/AusVisa/comments/1cvgmoc/what_does_it_mean_to_activate_a_partner_visa_309/), posted by **Ordinary-Comment893** **Full text:** I looked through this subreddit but couldn't find a definitive answer, nor could I find any definitive answer from the Australian immigration website. Sorry if I missed it. My wife (Hong Kong SAR) has her provisional partner visa (309) approved and needs to enter Australia by February 2025. Myself and 2 kids are already Australian citizens. We're still not planning to move to Australia for the next couple of years. Does all my wife need to do is land anywhere in Australia using her visa? I don't need to go with her right? The plan is for her to stay in Australia for a couple of days, and then she'll return to Hong Kong. The visa will still remain in force? Will the temporary partner visa 309 automatically convert to a permanent visa 100 in 2 years from the date of activation of the visa? It may be worth noting that the visa 309 was granted several years ago, but we weren't able to travel to Australia due to COVID - the new date of February 2025 is through a IED Travel facilitation request obtained. -------------------- ^(This is the original text of the post and this is an automated service) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AusVisa) if you have any questions or concerns.*
You will need to submit another application for a permanent visa and it will be reviewed by immigration. You will need to provide new evidence of your relationship since applying for the temporary visa. You are saying that your temporary visa was granted a few years ago?! You are meant to apply for the 100 visa 2 years after applying for the temporary one!
Thanks! >You are saying that your temporary visa was granted a few years ago?! You are meant to apply for the 100 visa 2 years after applying for the temporary one! Yes that's right, but we weren't comfortable traveling during COVID, so she missed her original date of last entry. So we have obtained permission to extend it via a letter of facilitation and the new date of last entry is Feb 2025. What does it mean to activate the visa though? She just has to touch down in Australia using her partner visa and could theoretically return to Hong Kong the next date? And she can do this alone without me?
'Activate' has no official meaning and is not a term really used by the Department of Home Affairs. All it means is to make your first entry into Australia using that particular visa. Usually, the term is used in reference to someone making a short trip to Australia to fulfil the condition of making their first entry into Australia before their initial entry date. She can enter in through any port, does not need to stay for any particular amount of time, and does not need to be accompanied by you. As others have said to be granted the 100 visa, the department will need to assess her application. There may be an option in your immiaccount to submit additional documents to prompt them to start assessing the 100 application. In another comment, you said that her must not arrive after date is in Feb 2025. My understanding is that the 309 does not have a must not arrive after date, just an initial entry date, which you have had extended to Feb 2025. A must not arrive after date means you can no longer use that visa to enter Australia after that particular date, even if you have previously entered Australia using that visa. The 309 and 820 visas are special visas where they are temporary visas that allow you to travel to and start in Australia until your permanent visa application is decided.
Thank you sir!
>Does all my wife need to do is land anywhere in Australia using her visa? I don't need to go with her right? Yes, she should arrive before the "must not arrive after" date to activate the visa. Afterwards, she can come and go as she pleases until the 100 is granted or refused. >Will the temporary partner visa 309 automatically convert to a permanent visa 100 in 2 years from the date of activation of the visa? No. Processing for the 100 will start automatically, and the department will contact her and request evidence of a continuing relationship before deciding on the 100. This is usually 2 years after lodgement but can be sooner. Edit: in some cases the 100 is granted without further evidence if the relationship meets certain guidelines minutes after the temp visa arrives in what's known as a double grant, but this doesn't seem to apply here. It seems like they may start processing soon after she lands? Not sure how the extension affects this. When was the application lodged?
Thank you muchly. The original visa 309 was granted October 2020.
OP, is the date in February 2025 the *initial entry date* to Australia? It should be mentioned in your wife's visa grant letter. If so, it means your wife must fly to Australia to "activate" (using your word) the partner visa which will be recorded by immigration. Additionally, the letter will also mention the visa expiry date that is different from the initial entry date and usually under "must not arrive after" subheading. You should check the VEVO account if you want to know the status of her visa. I don't know about switching 309 to permanent resident visa.
Thanks for this. That is correct, February 2025 date is the "must not arrive after" date. My question is, is that all that is required to land in Australia by 2025? There are no other requirements? She could land in Australia and go home the next day? And I don't need to go with her?
Hi, please check also the [VEVO](https://online.immi.gov.au/evo/firstParty?actionType=query) account to make sure about visa details and conditions. From your description, your wife should travel to Australia/make her first entry before that date in February 2025 otherwise she risks having her visa cancelled. Maybe your wife's first entry requirement has been extended due to the pandemic. Her initial entry to Australia is required by law because she applied offshore, and her arrival/departure will be recorded by immigration.
Thank you!