Partner visa (onshore)
A two-stage partner visa for people already in Australia who are the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. The temporary 820 leads to the permanent 801.
At a glance
Overview
The onshore Partner visa is granted in two stages. You first apply for the temporary subclass 820, which lets you stay, work and study in Australia while your relationship is assessed. After a qualifying period, and if the relationship is ongoing, you can be granted the permanent subclass 801. Both stages are applied for together, and you must be in Australia when you lodge and when the 820 is decided.
How the pathway works
The flowchart below shows the journey and the key decision points along the way. Where the answer is “no”, we show how AuzRoo can help you find another way forward.
What this visa lets you do
- Live, work and study in Australia while your application is assessed
- Enrol in Medicare
- Include dependent children in your application
- Travel to and from Australia (820 stage)
- Move to permanent residence through the subclass 801
- Apply for citizenship later once eligible
Who can apply
To be granted this visa you generally need to meet all of the following. Every case is assessed on its own facts, so treat this as a guide rather than a checklist.
A genuine, continuing relationship
You must be the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, in a genuine and continuing relationship. De facto partners generally need to show at least twelve months together, unless an exception applies.
Sponsorship
Your partner must sponsor you, and there are limits on how often a person can sponsor a partner.
In Australia
You must be in Australia when you lodge the application and when the temporary 820 is decided.
Evidence of the relationship
You provide evidence across the financial, social, household and commitment aspects of your relationship.
Health and character
You and any dependents must meet health and character requirements.
How to apply, step by step
- Confirm your eligibility and your partner's ability to sponsor you.
- Gather relationship evidence across the four key aspects assessors look at.
- Lodge the combined 820/801 application while you are in Australia.
- Hold or move to a bridging visa if your current visa ends while you wait.
- Provide health and police checks as requested.
- Be assessed for the permanent 801 after the qualifying period.
Costs and processing
A single visa application charge covers both the temporary and permanent stages, and there are separate costs for health examinations and police certificates. Government charges and processing times change and depend on your circumstances, so we confirm the current figures for your case during your consultation.
When you have the visa
On the 820 you can live, work and study in Australia and travel in and out. Keep your relationship evidence up to date, tell the Department of any significant change in your circumstances, and be ready to provide further evidence when you are assessed for the permanent 801.
For more information on the current official requirements, read the Department of Home Affairs page for this visa. Click here →