Partner Visa (820 / 801) – Apply Onshore, Stay Together in Australia
The Partner Visa (820/801) is Australia’s main onshore partner visa for spouses and de facto partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.
You lodge one combined application that covers:
• Temporary Partner visa (820)
• Permanent Partner visa (801)
If eligible, you can usually stay in Australia while your application is processed, supported by the right bridging visa and careful planning around travel, work rights, and relationship evidence.
This pathway is for couples who are already in Australia and want a clear, documented route from temporary stay to permanent residence.
Visa Information Overview
Subclass 820 is the temporary stage that keeps you lawfully progressing through the partner pathway. Subclass 801 is the permanent stage, assessed later once you meet the timing and relationship requirements.
What matters most is not “how long you’ve been together” — it’s whether you can prove a genuine, continuing relationship using strong, well-organised evidence that matches what the Department expects.
Quick facts (820/801)
- Apply while you are in Australia (onshore pathway)
- You lodge 820 and 801 together in one application
- Temporary stage first (820), permanent stage later (801)
- Bridging visa planning is critical (lawful stay, work rights, travel)
- Evidence quality is often the deciding factor, not just eligibility
- Health and character checks apply to applicants (and sponsors where required)
Who the Partner Visa (820/801) is for
This onshore pathway may be suitable if you’re already in Australia and your relationship meets the legal definition of a spouse or de facto partnership.
Married couples
You are legally married and can show a genuine, continuing relationship with shared life plans.
De facto partners
You can demonstrate a genuine de facto relationship (often supported by living together and combining aspects of your life).
Long-term partners
You have strong history together, stable evidence, and a well-documented commitment that stands up to strict scrutiny.
Eligibility & Core Requirements
To be eligible, you generally need to show you are in a genuine, continuing relationship with an eligible sponsor and that you can meet the Department’s legal and evidentiary requirements.
Applicants typically must be able to demonstrate:
- A genuine spouse or de facto relationship with an eligible sponsor
- Ongoing commitment to a shared life (not just messaging or intentions)
- Evidence across finances, household, social recognition, and commitment
- Health and character requirements
- Correct onshore lodgement strategy and lawful status planning
- No unresolved issues that affect visa integrity (for example, inconsistent records)
Sponsor requirements (high-level)
- Sponsors are usually Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. Sponsorship history and integrity requirements can apply, so it’s important to assess the sponsor’s position early — before lodging.
Partner Visa 820 / 801 Application Process
Step 1 — Strategy & eligibility mapping
We confirm the correct pathway (820/801), assess sponsor factors, identify gaps, and build a clear evidence roadmap before you lodge.
Step 2 — Evidence build + decision-ready file
We organise your relationship evidence to match what case officers assess, and prepare statements and supporting documentation with consistency across the full timeline.
Step 3 — Lodgement + bridging visa planning
We lodge correctly and help you plan lawful stay, travel considerations, and practical timing risks — so you don’t unintentionally weaken your application.
Step 4 — Post-lodgement support to permanent stage
We support requests, updates, and preparation for the permanent stage (801) when you become eligible, keeping your file strong over time.
Costs & Processing Time Guidance
Partner visas involve government application charges and may include additional costs for health checks, police certificates, translations, and supporting evidence.
Processing times vary significantly and depend on your profile, your evidence quality, and Department priorities at the time. We’ll guide you on building a “decision-ready” application to reduce avoidable delays.
Tip: Always use the official visa processing time guide for a current indication and treat it as a guide only.
Common reasons applications get delayed or refused
- Weak relationship evidence (especially for de facto cases)
- Inconsistent addresses, timelines, or documents
- Over-reliance on chats/photos without real-life proof
- Poorly written or conflicting personal statements
- Sponsor issues not checked early (history/integrity constraints)
- Travel and bridging visa planning mistakes
- Missing documents or messy uploads that create officer friction
What evidence is actually assessed
cation isn’t “more documents” — it’s the right documents, clearly organised, and consistent across your entire story.
Financial aspects of the relationship
Examples include joint accounts, shared bills, rent/mortgage evidence, transfers, shared financial responsibilities, beneficiary nominations, and proof of financial interdependence.
Nature of the household
Examples include living arrangements, shared responsibilities, household bills, correspondence showing the same address, and evidence of day-to-day life together.
Social aspects of the relationship
Examples include joint invitations, photos across time (not one day), social media consistency, statements from family/friends, event records, and community recognition.
Nature of commitment
xamples include long-term plans, shared decisions, travel history, major milestones, communication patterns, future planning, and consistent intention to maintain a shared life.
Frequently asked questions (820/801)
Can I work while waiting?
Work rights depend on your current visa and any bridging visa conditions. We assess this early so you know what applies to your situation.
Can I travel after lodging?
Travel depends on your visa status and the correct bridging visa/travel permissions. Planning travel incorrectly can create serious problems, so get advice before booking.
Do we need to live together?
For most de facto cases, living together evidence is important. There are exceptions, but they must be supported properly and documented clearly.
When does the permanent stage (801) happen?
The permanent stage is generally assessed later once you meet the relevant timing and relationship requirements. We plan evidence so your file stays strong up to the permanent stage.
What if we’ve been together a long time?
Long-term relationships can change how evidence is assessed and how the file is positioned. Strong documentation still matters — length alone is not enough.
What if our relationship is new but genuine?
New relationships can still be eligible, but the evidence must be exceptionally clear and credible. We’ll tell you exactly what needs strengthening before lodging.
Information is general in nature and not legal advice. Always check current requirements before applying. Services are provided by a Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2518775) and conducted in accordance with the Migration Act 1958 and the Migration Agents Code of Conduct.
Ready to lodge your Partner Visa (820/801) the right way?
Partner visas are won on structure, evidence quality, and strategy — not guesswork.
If you want clarity on your eligibility, your best pathway, and what evidence you truly need, our team can help you build a decision-ready application.Registered Migration Agent: MARN 2518775
Related Partner Pathways
Choose the right stream based on where you are now.
Partner Visa (309 / 100) – Apply offshore
For applicants who are outside Australia at lodgement and want the offshore partner pathway.
Prospective Marriage Visa (300)
For engaged couples who plan to marry in Australia. This pathway can be appropriate where you’re not yet married or de facto but intend to marry and proceed to a partner visa afterwards.
Partner Visas Hub
Compare 309/100 vs 820/801 vs 300 in one place.