Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801) - Complete Guide

The Partner Visa (subclass 820/801) is Australia’s primary onshore pathway for partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to obtain permanent residency through a two-stage process.

Two-Stage Process

This visa operates as a combined application where you apply for both temporary (820) and permanent (801) visas together, paying one fee that covers both stages. The Department first assesses and grants the temporary visa, then automatically reviews for permanent residency approximately 2 years later.

Who Should Apply

• Married couples where one partner is Australian/PR
• De facto couples who have lived together 12+ months
• Partners already in Australia on another visa
• Couples wanting to stay together during processing
• Families with children to include in application
• Long-term relationships seeking permanent residency

Current Reality (August 2025)

Processing Times:

• Stage 1 (820): 18-36 months
• Stage 2 (801): Additional 8-26 months after 2-year mark
• Total journey: Typically 3-5 years to permanent residency

Fast-Track Eligibility

You may receive both 820 and 801 visas simultaneously if:

• Married 3+ years at application time
• De facto relationship 2+ years with shared children
• Compelling compassionate circumstances

Core Requirements

Mandatory Criteria:

1. Location: Be in Australia when applying and when 820 granted
2. Sponsor: Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen
3. Relationship: Genuine and continuing (married or de facto)
4. Health: Pass medical examinations
5. Character: Provide police clearances
6. No debt: To Australian Government

Relationship Requirements

Four Aspects of Relationship Evidence

1. Financial Aspects

• Joint bank accounts or shared finances
• Joint loans, mortgages, or leases
• Shared household bills and expenses
• Beneficiary arrangements

2. Household Nature

• Joint lease or property ownership
• Shared address evidence
• Household responsibilities
• Living arrangements

3. Social Aspects

• Recognition as couple by family/friends
• Joint invitations and social activities
• Photos together at events
• Statutory declarations (2-4 required)

4. Commitment Nature

• Future plans together
• Wills and beneficiary nominations
• Length and exclusivity of relationship
• Mutual support evidence

Sponsor Eligibility

Your sponsor must:

• Be 18+ years old
• Be Australian citizen/PR/eligible NZ citizen
• Not have sponsored 2+ partners previously
• Meet 5-year gap since last sponsorship
• Pass character requirements

Sponsorship Limitations:

• Maximum 2 partner sponsorships lifetime
• 5-year waiting period between sponsorships
• Exceptions for compelling circumstances

Tips for Success

Strong Evidence Collection:

1. Start early - Collect evidence throughout your relationship
2. Four aspects - Provide balanced evidence across all categories
3. Quality matters - Select best evidence, not everything
4. Timeline clarity - Show relationship progression
5. Third-party support - Get 2-4 statutory declarations

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Insufficient de facto cohabitation evidence
• Weak financial integration documentation
• Poor quality or staged photos
• Generic statutory declarations
• Missing previous relationship documents
• Expired police clearances or health exams
• Incomplete child custody arrangements

Fast-Track Strategies

For Simultaneous Grant (820+801):

• Document 3+ years marriage clearly
• Prove 2+ years de facto with children
• Provide overwhelming relationship evidence
• Include comprehensive future plans
• Show deep integration in all aspects

Special Situations

Long-Distance Relationships:

• Emphasize communication evidence
• Document all visits comprehensively
• Explain separation reasons clearly
• Provide extra commitment evidence

Previous Relationships:

• Include all divorce/death certificates
• Address any custody arrangements
• Explain relationship timeline clearly
• Show current relationship genuine

During Processing

• Maintain relationship evidence collection
• Update address/contact details promptly
• Respond to requests within timeframe
• Consider relationship registration
• Keep working and studying normally