Need a quick response? Call us on 1300 919 717
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Partner Visa Onshore (Subclass 820 and 801)
Reviewed by Mohammad Saghir Khan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1170510)Last reviewed:
The onshore partner visa lets the married or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen live in Australia. You apply in Australia for the temporary visa (subclass 820) and the permanent visa (subclass 801) at the same time, with one charge of AUD 11,710 from 1 July 2026. The permanent stage is usually assessed 2 years after you applied. De facto couples generally need to have lived together for 12 months before applying, unless the relationship is registered or another exception applies.
Partner Visa (820/801) at a Glance
| Visa type | Temporary (820), then permanent (801) |
|---|---|
| Who it is for | Married or de facto partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens |
| Where to apply | In Australia (not in immigration clearance) |
| De facto rule | 12 months living together before applying, unless registered or another exception applies |
| Rights on the 820 | Live, work and study in Australia, enrol in Medicare and travel |
| Government charge | AUD 11,710 main applicant, AUD 5,860 per adult and AUD 2,935 per child (from 1 July 2026), covering both stages |
| Processing (90%) | 820: 30 months. 801: 19 months after eligibility (updated 29 September 2026) |
| 2026–27 places | 41,500 partner places (indicative, demand driven) |
How the Two Stages Work
- Stage 1, Partner (Temporary) visa subclass 820: you apply for both visas together. If you held a substantive visa when you applied, you usually receive a Bridging visa A so you can stay while you wait.
- Stage 2, Partner (Permanent) visa subclass 801: usually assessed 2 years after you first applied. You provide updated evidence that your relationship is genuine and continuing. Do not send stage 2 documents before then.
The 801 can be granted earlier if you were in a long-term relationship when you applied, generally 3 years or more, or 2 years or more with a dependent child of the relationship. You must keep holding your 820 until the 801 is decided, because being granted another visa ends your path to the 801.
Relationship Requirements
- Married couples: a valid marriage recognised in Australia.
- De facto couples: both 18 or over, in an exclusive relationship, and usually living together for at least 12 months immediately before applying. Time spent dating or in an online relationship may not count.
- Exceptions to the 12-month rule: the relationship is registered with an Australian state or territory registry, there are compelling and compassionate circumstances, or your partner holds or is applying for a permanent humanitarian visa and declared the relationship before it was granted.
You show the relationship is genuine with evidence across four areas: finances (joint accounts, shared bills), household (lease, shared address, household duties), social (friends, joint travel, family recognition) and commitment (relationship history, time together, future plans). Two Form 888 statements from Australian citizens or permanent residents are also required.
Sponsor Requirements and Limits
- Your partner must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, aged 18 or over, and approved as your sponsor.
- The sponsor agrees to support you financially and with accommodation for your first 2 years, and must meet character requirements, including police checks.
- Sponsorship may be refused if this is the sponsor's third partner sponsorship, or if they sponsored a partner, or were sponsored as a partner, in the last 5 years. Exceptions include having a dependent child together.
Applying without a current visa? If you do not hold a substantive visa, you must show compelling reasons, and your application must include the sponsorship form, proof of your sponsor's status and at least 2 recent statutory declarations confirming your relationship. Without these, the application may be invalid. If your visa has a "no further stay" condition, such as 8503, you need a waiver before you can apply. Get advice before lodging.
If the Relationship Ends Because of Family Violence
You do not have to stay in an unsafe relationship. If your former sponsor committed family violence, you may still be eligible for the permanent visa under the family violence provisions. In an emergency, call 000.
Processing Times
Home Affairs figures updated on 29 September 2026 show 50% of 820 applications decided within 22 months and 90% within 30 months. For the 801, 50% were decided within 8 months and 90% within 19 months of becoming eligible. Under Ministerial Direction 117, which took effect on 25 July 2026, partner applications made in Australia are among the highest family visa priorities.
How to Apply
- Check eligibility and the sponsor's historyConfirm the relationship meets the married or de facto rules and that the sponsor is not affected by sponsorship limits.
- Collect relationship evidenceGather evidence across finances, household, social life and commitment, plus 2 Form 888 statements and your relationship statements.
- Get police checks and identity documentsPolice certificates are required for each country where you lived 12 months or more in the last 10 years since turning 16.
- Lodge the combined 820/801 applicationApply online in ImmiAccount while in Australia and pay the charge. Your sponsor then lodges the sponsorship.
- Complete health checks and wait on a bridging visaBook your health examinations when asked and keep your contact details up to date.
- Provide stage 2 evidenceAbout 2 years after lodging, provide updated relationship evidence for the permanent 801.
How Aussie ASEAN Can Help
Partner visas are long, expensive and evidence-heavy. We check your eligibility and any sponsor limitation, organise your evidence into a clear submission, prepare statements and forms, lodge the application and manage requests from Home Affairs through to the permanent stage. We handle sensitive matters, including family violence, confidentially.
Free tools for this visa
Related visas
Every case is different. Talk to a Registered Migration Agent about your Partner Visa (820/801) before you lodge.
Book a consultationSources: Home Affairs: Partner visa (820) · Partner visa (801) · Family violence provisions · Family visa processing priorities · Global visa processing times
Frequently Asked Questions
Plain-English answers to the questions we are asked most often.
What is the difference between the 820 and the 801?
The 820 is the temporary partner visa and the 801 is the permanent partner visa. You apply for both at the same time in Australia. The 801 is usually assessed 2 years after you applied.
Do we need to live together for 12 months?
De facto couples usually need to have lived together for at least 12 months immediately before applying. The rule does not apply if your relationship is registered with an Australian state or territory registry, if there are compelling and compassionate circumstances, or in some humanitarian cases. Married couples do not need 12 months.
How long does an onshore partner visa take?
Home Affairs figures updated on 29 September 2026 show 90% of 820 applications decided within 30 months, and 90% of 801 applications within 19 months of becoming eligible.
Can I work while my partner visa is processed?
Usually, yes. Many applicants receive a Bridging visa A while the 820 is processed, and you have full work rights once the 820 is granted. Bridging visa conditions depend on your circumstances, so check your grant letter or VEVO. If your bridging visa restricts work, you may be able to apply for permission to work.
How much does a partner visa cost in 2026?
From 1 July 2026 the base charge is AUD 11,710 for the main applicant, AUD 5,860 for each adult family member and AUD 2,935 for each child. It covers both the 820 and 801 stages. Health checks and police certificates cost extra.
Can I apply for a partner visa if my visa has condition 8503?
Not until the condition is waived. You must ask Home Affairs to waive condition 8503 before lodging, and waivers are only granted in limited circumstances, such as compelling and compassionate circumstances that developed after your visa was granted.
Can I get the permanent visa earlier?
Yes, in some cases. If you had been in a long-term relationship when you applied, generally 3 years or more, or 2 years or more with a dependent child of the relationship, the 801 may be granted at the same time or soon after the 820.
What if my partner visa is refused?
Most onshore partner visa refusals can be reviewed by the Administrative Review Tribunal. You must apply within 28 days of being notified, and the deadline cannot be extended. Use our ART appeal deadline calculator and get advice quickly.
Unlock Your Immigration Potential
Take the First Step Towards
Your Immigration Goals
Begin your immigration journey today with the right advice, personalized solutions
and a clear path forward.