Partner Visa (Subclass 820 / 801)
Category: Family · Processing time: 12–24 months for 820; 12+ months for 801
Recently verified
Apply through official authority
Department of Home Affairs
Always submit applications through the official source. Last verified 2026-06-18.
Visa type
Family
Processing time
12–24 months for 820; 12+ months for 801
Fees
ApplicationCharge: AUD 9,365 (combined 820+801)
Validity
Confirm on official source
Stay duration
Confirm on official source
Entry type
Confirm single/multiple entry rules
Insurance
Confirm if required
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Overview
Onshore partner visa moving from a temporary permit to a permanent resident status based on a genuine relationship. Path to PR: Yes. Path to citizenship: No (requires PR milestone first). Inc
- Leads to permanent residency: Yes
- Requires job offer: No
- Language required: No
- Minimum education: Not specified
- Financial requirement: Sponsors must show capacity to support the applicant, backed by joint financial statements and household dependency proof.
- Accommodation proof: No
- Return ticket: No
Estimated Costs
- - ApplicationCharge: AUD 9,365 (combined 820+801)
Required Documents
- - Sponsor's official proof of citizenship or permanent resident status
- - Marriage certificate or verifiable 12-month de-facto relationship history evidence
- - Statutory declarations of relationship genuine nature from the couple and witnesses
- - Joint financial records, shared utility bills, or household lease histories
- - Valid applicant passport along with required police clearances
Application Steps
- The eligible sponsor lodges a formal sponsorship application via the official portal.
- The applicant submits the combined Subclass 820/801 application block synchronously.
- Upload comprehensive relationship validation documents, including financial history and statutory declarations.
- Receive the temporary Subclass 820 visa grant, allowing lawful domestic stay and work.
- After two years from the initial application date, lodge stage-two continuity evidence to secure the permanent Subclass 801 visa.
Always confirm the latest steps and forms on the official portal: Department of Home Affairs →
Travel Insurance Requirement
- Mandatory: Confirm with official source
- Minimum coverage: Confirm current coverage rules
- Valid regions: Confirm accepted regions
- Approved providers: Use providers accepted by the official authority
Embassy, Consulate & Appointments
- - Embassy, consulate, regional jurisdiction, and appointment protocols vary depending on the applicant's location.
- - Always confirm specific localized handling paths on the official department portal before transferring application fees.
Browse foreign embassies in Australia (MigrantIQ directory) →
Directory listings are for planning only — not legal advice. Confirm jurisdiction and appointment rules on the official portal.
Application checklist
Track your Partner Visa (Subclass 820 / 801) preparation
Check items off as you prepare. Progress is saved in this browser and can be synced from My Plan.
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Receive relevant reminders and source updates for Partner Visa (Subclass 820 / 801) in Australia.
Benefits & What This Visa Allows
- - Grants immediate, unrestricted legal rights to live, study, and work anywhere inside Australia during processing
- - Provides direct, immediate enrollment eligibility into Australia’s universal healthcare framework (Medicare)
- - Establishes a transparent, legally protected operational pathway to achieve full permanent residency status
Trust & safety
Before you pay or submit documents
Use the official portal for applications and payments. Be careful with agents who guarantee approval, ask for personal-account transfers, or pressure you to send originals before a written contract.
Relevant laws
- Immigration Status and Overstay Rules
Immigration · Severity: Critical
Your right to stay in Australia depends on the exact visa, residence permit, entry stamp, or visa-free allowance you hold. Do not assume a pending application, job offer, or school admission
- Work Authorisation Rules
Employment · Severity: Critical
In Australia, a visa that allows entry does not always allow work. Paid employment, freelancing, remote work, internships, and trial shifts may each have different permission rules.
- Tax Residency and Income Reporting
Tax · Severity: High
Living in Australia for long enough, working locally, or registering as a resident may trigger tax-residency or income-reporting duties even if your income is paid from abroad.
Active scam alerts
Some agents overcharge newcomers for translations, notarisation, apostilles, or courier services for Australia, and may produce documents that are not accepted by official authorities.
Scammers impersonate airport staff, immigration officers, or travel agents and claim you must pay a special fee to enter Australia, avoid questioning, release documents, or fast-track border
Fraudsters offer admission, scholarships, or student visa packages for Australia through unofficial agents. Victims may receive fake acceptance letters that fail verification during visa proc
Scammers advertise fake apartments in Australia, pressure newcomers to transfer a deposit before viewing, and disappear after sending a fake lease or copied property photos.
Quick Eligibility Check
Use this self-check for Partner Visa (Subclass 820 / 801). It does not replace official legal assessment.
Helpful partner links
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consultation
Australia: Australia expert help →Find expert support for Australia migration questions.
Sponsored or partner placement when a matching partner is active.
Common Rejection Reasons
- - Incomplete, contradictory, or structurally weak historical evidence proving a genuine and continuing relationship
- - Failure to meet character requirements, including missing or incorrect international police clearance logs
- - Inability to provide satisfactory verification for a 12-month de-facto timeline when applying without a marriage registration certificate
- - Mismatched information provided between the sponsor's application forms and the applicant's primary declarations
Application Tips
- - Begin gathering documents early and utilize the official Department of Home Affairs checklist before committing funds.
- - Keep joint bank statements, shared lease details, and correspondence records systematically organized by calendar timeline.
- - Secure necessary identity and police files early to prevent processing delays during the active vetting queue.
- - Avoid utilizing unverified immigration consultants who promise guaranteed approvals or request direct personal bank transfers.
Sources & References
Use these references for verification. Official government and appointment portals override summary guidance on MigrantIQ.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common documents include: Valid passport, Proof of relationship (e.g., photos, messages), Identity documents (e.g., birth certificate), Health and character documents, Form 47SP (Partner visa