The Australian Partner Visa allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live, work, and build a future in Australia.
What is this visa?
This visa is designed for people who are in a genuine and ongoing relationship with their partner in Australia, whether married or in a de facto relationship.
The process is completed in two stages:
- Temporary Partner Visa: Subclass 820
- Permanent Partner Visa: Subclass 801
Both applications are lodged together, but they are assessed and granted separately.
Onshore Partner Visa Pathway
Subclass 820 – Partner visa (Temporary)
We manage the entire process for you. Our team provides a tailored document checklist, assists with gathering and organizing evidence, prepares the application with our Registered Migration Agents, and monitors your case throughout the process.
This is a long-term visa process, with decisions often taking around two years or more. During this period, however, you can enjoy important benefits while we continue managing your application and responding to any requests from the Department of Home Affairs.
The current Department of Home Affairs application fee is AUD $9.365. Although this visa represents a significant investment, it is also one of the strongest pathways to Australian permanent residency, provided the relationship is genuine and supported by appropriate evidence.
To maximize your chances of success, we recommend:
- Having your relationship officially registered (where applicable) as early as possible.
- Ideally demonstrating at least 12 months of cohabitation, or at minimum living together at the time of application (unless there are compelling reasons otherwise).
- Maintaining a joint bank account used for shared household expenses.
- Having 2 to 4 witnesses who can support your relationship by completing a simple statutory declaration.
- Preparing the five relationship statements supported by relevant evidence and photographs (we provide detailed guidance for this).
- Having the financial resources available for both the government application fee and professional fees.
- Providing all standard supporting documents required for the application.
Offshore Partner Visa Pathway
Subclass 801 – Partner visa (Permanent)
The Subclass 801 is the second stage of the Partner Visa pathway and grants Australian permanent residency.
Before granting the Subclass 801 visa, Home Affairs will assess whether:
- The relationship remains genuine and ongoing.
- At least two years have passed since the original Subclass 820 application was lodged.
- Updated evidence of cohabitation and commitment is provided.
There are no additional government fees payable for the Subclass 801 if it was lodged together with the Subclass 820. The initial AUD $9.365 application fee covers both stages.
Throughout the period between the temporary and permanent stages, our team remains actively involved in your case. We will remind you when updated evidence is required, guide you through the next steps, and assist with any requests from Home Affairs.
To prepare for the Subclass 801 stage, we recommend maintaining:
- Ongoing evidence of living together (lease agreements, utility bills, joint correspondence).
- Regular activity in your joint bank account.
- Records of shared travel, photographs, and interactions with family and friends.
- Evidence of significant milestones in the relationship, such as moving house, marriage, or the birth of children.
Processing Times
Processing times vary depending on the circumstances of each case. As a general guide:
- Subclass 820 (Temporary Visa): approximately 18–24 months.
- Subclass 801 (Permanent Visa): approximately 4–8 months.
This is a two-stage process, with two separate decisions made by Home Affairs.
What Rights Does This Visa Give You?
With a Partner Visa, you can:
- Live in Australia with your partner
- Work without restrictions
- Study in Australia
- Access Medicare and other health services (subject to eligibility)
- Travel freely in and out of Australia
- Follow a pathway to Australian citizenship once residency requirements are met
Once the Subclass 801 visa is granted, you become an Australian permanent resident.