PARTNER & FAMILY MIGRATION
Partner Visa
Subclass 820 / 801
For spouses and de facto partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens
VISA TYPE
Temporary → Permanent
APPLY FROM
Australia
GOVERNMENT VISA CHARGE
From AUD $11,710*
ESTIMATED PROCESSING TIME
23 - 29 months*
*Government charges and processing times are indicative and subject to change. Current at September 2026.
Who is the Partner Visa for?
One application. Two stages. A pathway to permanent residence.
The Partner Visa (subclasses 820 and 801) provides an onshore pathway to permanent residence for the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. The applicant must be in Australia when applying for the subclass 820 visa.
The subclass 820 Partner Visa is the temporary stage. It allows an eligible spouse or de facto partner to live in Australia temporarily while progressing towards the permanent subclass 801 Partner Visa.
In most cases, permanent Partner Visa assessment becomes available once two years have passed since the combined 820/801 application was lodged. Some applications can be considered differently depending on the circumstances
Key requirements for a Partner Visa 820/801
01
Eligible relationship
You must be married to, or in a qualifying de facto relationship with, your sponsoring partner.
03
Eligible sponsor
Your partner must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen and meet the sponsorship requirements.
05
De facto relationships
Additional requirements can apply to de facto couples, including relationship-duration requirements unless an exception applies.
02
Genuine and continuing
The relationship must be genuine and continuing, with a mutual commitment to a shared life.
04
Apply in Australia
For the subclass 820 pathway, the applicant must be in Australia when the application is lodged.
06
Health & character
Health and character requirements apply, and sponsor character requirements may also be relevant.
01
Assess eligibility
Check the relationship, sponsorship and onshore application position.
How the Partner Visa 820/801 process works
02
Prepare the application
Build the relationship evidence and supporting documents for both applicant and sponsor
03
Lodge the 820/801 Application
The temporary and permanent stages are applied for together
04
Temporary Partner Visa 820
If granted, the subclass 820 provides temporary residence while the permanent stage progresses.
05
Permanent Partner Visa 801
When eligible, updated relationship evidence is provided for permanent-stage assessment
Things to check before applying for a Partner Visa
Current visa status
Your current visa, any conditions and your ability to make a valid onshore application should be considered before lodging.
Travel while waiting
Travel arrangements need to be considered carefully, particularly where a bridging visa will be relevant after the current substantive visa ends.
Relationship evidence
The evidence should demonstrate how the relationship operates across finances, household arrangements, social recognition and commitment—not simply that documents exist.
Issues that may need closer attention
Previous sponsorships, character matters, Schedule 3, periods of separation, dependent children or unusual relationship circumstances can require additional preparation.
Not sure whether the Partner Visa is right for you?
Partner visa eligibility can depend on the details of your relationship, immigration history and current circumstances. We can assess the pathway and identify issues that may need attention before you apply.