Partner Visa (Permanent) (Subclass 801)
The onshore Partner visa pathway combines the temporary subclass 820 and permanent subclass 801 applications for eligible spouses and de facto partners of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens.
Applicants generally begin the pathway while in Australia and may progress from temporary to permanent residence. Visa Route Migration can provide professional assistance at different stages, depending on your circumstances and agreed scope.
Clear, Personal Migration Guidance
Why Choose Us for Onshore Partner Visas 820 & 801
Visa Route Migration is led by Registered Migration Agent Rose Khangura, MARN 2619247. Rose holds a Graduate Diploma in Migration Law & Practice from Victoria University, completed in 2024, and has two years of confirmed experience in migration and visa services, including visa files, documentation and application preparation.
Partner visa matters depend heavily on individual circumstances. Visa Route Migration takes a personalised professional approach, with careful consideration of the information provided, practical guidance and clear explanations of relevant opportunities, requirements and limitations. The focus is on helping clients understand their position rather than treating applications as a high-volume processing exercise.
The level of assistance can also reflect what you actually need. Depending on the matter and professional engagement, this may range from a formal visa assessment or document and application review to broader preparation, evidence organisation, lodgement assistance and support through relevant application stages. Clients are not required to assume that every engagement must cover the entire process.
Ways We Can Assist
Assistance with an onshore Partner visa matter can involve different stages and levels of professional support. The appropriate scope depends on your circumstances, where you are in the 820/801 pathway and the assistance agreed with Visa Route Migration.
Eligibility Assessment
Temporary Stage
Permanent Stage
Document Review
Application Support
Assessing Your Onshore Partner Visa Position
An eligibility assessment can help clarify whether the onshore 820/801 pathway should be considered in light of your relationship, sponsorship circumstances, current visa position and relevant migration history. This can be particularly important where there has been a previous visa refusal or cancellation, a visa condition restricting further stay, no current substantive visa or another circumstance that makes a straightforward application assumption inappropriate.
Visa Route Migration can provide a detailed visa or eligibility assessment through a formal professional engagement where appropriate. The purpose is to consider the client’s individual circumstances and relevant requirements rather than provide a guaranteed conclusion based on a short enquiry. The free initial consultation is used to understand the general nature of the matter and identify possible next steps, not as an automatic comprehensive assessment.
I approached Visa Route Migration as I was getting closer to the permanent stage of my Partner visa and was unsure what needed to be updated. I wanted to understand when I could provide my subclass 801 information and what relationship evidence I should prepare. The assistance gave me a clearer understanding of the next stage and helped me organise the documents relevant to my circumstances before moving forward.
Subclass 801 Preparation
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️My partner and I wanted professional help with our onshore Partner visa application because we were finding it difficult to understand how the temporary 820 and permanent 801 stages fitted together. Visa Route Migration helped us work through the information and supporting documents relevant to our application. Having professional guidance made it easier to understand what we were responsible for providing and which parts of the application required particular attention.
820 and 801 Stages
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I did not need someone to manage every part of my Partner visa matter, but I wanted a professional review before proceeding. I used Visa Route Migration for a more limited scope of assistance so I could have my documentation and application information checked. This suited what I was looking for and helped me identify areas that needed further attention without engaging for assistance beyond the parts of the process where I wanted professional input.
Partner Visa Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️One of my biggest concerns was presenting enough information about our relationship. We had documents from different periods covering different parts of our life together, but I was not sure how they related to the Partner visa requirements. The assistance from Visa Route Migration helped me approach the evidence more systematically and understand why different types of relationship information could be relevant, rather than simply uploading documents without a clear purpose.
Relationship Evidence Preparation
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I already held my temporary Partner visa and wanted help preparing for the subclass 801 assessment. I knew the permanent stage involved further information, but I was unsure what needed to be current and what had changed since the original application. Visa Route Migration helped me focus on the information relevant to the permanent stage and understand the importance of reviewing changes in our circumstances before submitting updated documents.
Permanent Partner Visa Stage
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️My circumstances were not something I wanted to assess using general online information alone. I had questions about my visa history and how it might affect an onshore Partner visa application, so I wanted professional guidance before deciding what to do. Visa Route Migration considered the information I provided and helped me understand the issues that needed closer assessment, rather than assuming the same pathway or process would apply to every applicant.
Visa History Assessment
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I was looking for migration assistance that I could access without needing to attend an office for every discussion. Visa Route Migration was able to work with me remotely while I prepared information relating to my Partner visa matter. This suited my circumstances and allowed me to obtain professional assistance with the application and documents while remaining responsible for providing complete and accurate information and responding when further material was needed.
Remote Migration Assistance
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I wanted broader assistance because I did not feel comfortable managing the Partner visa process on my own. My main concerns were preparing the application information, organising supporting evidence and understanding what might be required as the matter progressed. Visa Route Migration provided assistance within the professional scope we agreed, which gave me a clearer structure for approaching the process while keeping me involved in reviewing information and providing the documents required for my application.
Partner Visa Support
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Onshore Partner Visa FAQs
How do subclasses 820 and 801 work together?
For the onshore Partner pathway, the temporary subclass 820 and permanent subclass 801 applications are made together. Subclass 820 provides the temporary stage and is the usual pathway leading to consideration for subclass 801 permanent residence. The permanent stage is assessed later once the relevant requirements are met.
Who may use the onshore Partner pathway?
In most circumstances, the applicant must be the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen and have that partner sponsor the application. The subclass 820 application is generally lodged while the applicant is in Australia. Visa status, previous refusals, visa conditions and other circumstances can affect whether an onshore application is available.
When can I submit my 801 documents?
Home Affairs states that applicants are generally eligible for consideration of the permanent Partner visa two years after applying for the temporary and permanent Partner visas. At that point, permanent-stage information can be provided through the Stage 2 Permanent Partner Visa Assessment process in ImmiAccount. Your original application date can be checked through ImmiAccount.
Do I apply again for subclass 801?
The 820 and 801 visa applications are initially made together, so the permanent stage is not normally a completely new Partner visa application. When eligible for permanent-stage assessment, applicants who still require assessment provide further information and documents through the Stage 2 process in ImmiAccount.
What evidence may the 801 stage require?
Home Affairs may require updated identity and character documents together with evidence that the qualifying relationship continues. Relationship evidence can address financial arrangements, the household, social aspects of the relationship and the partners' commitment to one another. The documents relevant to an individual application depend on its circumstances and the current Home Affairs requirements.
Can subclass 801 be granted earlier?
Home Affairs states that it may grant the permanent subclass 801 visa in less than two years in certain circumstances where the applicant was already in a long-term partner relationship with the sponsor when the original 820 and 801 applications were made. The circumstances need to be considered against the applicable requirements rather than assuming early assessment will apply.
What if my relationship circumstances change?
A change or end to the relationship can be significant and should not be ignored. Home Affairs requires relevant changes to be reported. Certain circumstances may allow a Partner visa application to continue despite a relationship ending, including specific situations involving family violence, the sponsor's death or a child with shared access and parental responsibility. Individual advice may be particularly important in these situations.
Could another visa affect my 801 pathway?
Yes. Home Affairs states that, to receive the permanent subclass 801 visa, an applicant generally needs to continue holding the subclass 820 visa or an applicable subclass 445 visa. Being granted another visa can affect eligibility for the subclass 801 stage. Professional advice may be appropriate before making another visa application while waiting for permanent-stage assessment.
Can a child be added after subclass 820?
There are specific arrangements where a dependent child needs to be added after the temporary subclass 820 visa has already been granted. Home Affairs indicates that the child may first need to obtain a Dependent Child visa subclass 445 before being included in the parent's permanent Partner visa application. The requirements should be checked for the family's particular circumstances.
How long does the subclass 801 stage take?
There is no processing time that can be guaranteed for an individual application. Home Affairs provides a visa processing time guide based on recently decided applications and states that it is only an indication. For subclass 801, the processing period is measured from the date the applicant becomes eligible for permanent-stage assessment.
Can I get help with only part of the process?
Yes. Visa Route Migration can provide limited-scope professional assistance where appropriate, such as a document or application review or assistance with a particular application stage. Broader or end-to-end assistance may also be available depending on the matter, your needs and the professional scope agreed with Rose.
Phone Number
0450 337 213
Business Location
4 Handsome Ave, Clyde North VIC 3978, Australia
E-Mail ID
[email protected]Discuss Your 820/801 Pathway
Complete the enquiry form if you are considering an onshore Partner visa application, already hold a subclass 820 visa or are approaching your permanent subclass 801 assessment. The free initial consultation allows Visa Route Migration to understand your circumstances, identify the type of assistance you are seeking and discuss possible next steps. Where detailed eligibility advice or assessment is required, a formal professional engagement may be appropriate.
The Temporary Subclass 820 Stage
The subclass 820 visa is the temporary part of the onshore Partner pathway. In most cases, applicants must be in a genuine spouse or de facto relationship with an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, have an appropriate sponsor and be in Australia when the application is lodged. The temporary visa then allows the applicant to remain in Australia while the permanent subclass 801 application progresses.
Preparing the initial application can involve substantial personal and supporting information. Depending on the applicant’s circumstances, evidence may address identity, immigration history, the qualifying relationship, financial arrangements, household arrangements, social aspects of the relationship, commitment and relevant family members. Applicants also need to provide complete and truthful information and notify relevant changes as their matter progresses.
Visa Route Migration may assist with application preparation, documentation, supporting evidence and lodgement where these services form part of the agreed engagement. The precise work depends on the application and the professional scope rather than assuming every client needs the same level of assistance.
Progressing to the Permanent Subclass 801 Stage
Subclass 801 is the permanent stage of the onshore Partner pathway. It allows an eligible spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia permanently. It is usually relevant to a person who currently holds the temporary subclass 820 visa.
For most applicants, permanent-stage assessment becomes available once two years have passed from the date the combined temporary and permanent Partner visa applications were originally lodged. Home Affairs provides a Stage 2 Permanent Partner Visa Assessment process through ImmiAccount for applicants who need to submit their permanent-stage information. Some applicants in qualifying long-term relationships may be considered earlier.
The permanent stage is not simply a matter of relying on documents supplied years earlier. Home Affairs requires further information where applicable, including current evidence relating to identity, character and the continuing relationship. Evidence may address shared finances, the household, the social recognition of the relationship and the partners’ ongoing commitment. Changes in personal or family circumstances also need appropriate attention.
Visa Route Migration can assist clients preparing for the subclass 801 stage by reviewing relevant circumstances, helping organise supporting information and providing application assistance within the agreed professional scope. Where a relationship has changed, another visa has been granted, family circumstances have changed or another complication has arisen, the effect on the permanent-stage application may need individual assessment.
Reviewing Partner Visa Documents
A document review can suit applicants who are preparing their own matter but want professional input on a defined part of the application. For an 820/801 matter, this may involve reviewing documents or application information that the client has prepared and identifying areas that may require clarification, correction or further supporting material.
Partner visa evidence can span different periods and aspects of a relationship, so simply collecting a large volume of documents is not the same as preparing relevant supporting evidence. Visa Route Migration may assist with reviewing and organising documentation within a limited-scope engagement or as one component of broader application assistance. Clients remain responsible for providing complete, truthful and accurate information and carefully reviewing material relating to their application.
Application Support Through the 820/801 Pathway
Some clients want assistance beyond a standalone assessment or document review. Depending on the matter and agreed professional engagement, Visa Route Migration may assist with application preparation, completing relevant application work, organising supporting evidence, lodgement and communication with relevant authorities where appropriate.
Professional assistance can also extend to later requirements if they arise, including responding to requests for further information where that work falls within the agreed scope. Home Affairs can request further documents while a Partner visa application is being assessed, and relevant information generally needs to be provided through the appropriate application channel within applicable timeframes.
The scope does not have to be identical for every client. Someone who wants help across the broader application may choose a more extensive engagement, while another applicant may require assistance only with a particular stage. Visa Route Migration can determine the appropriate professional scope after considering the matter, the assistance requested and the circumstances involved.
Where You Are in the 820/801 Pathway
| Your Situation | What It Means | Useful Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Considering the onshore pathway | 820 and 801 applications are lodged together | Check whether the pathway suits your circumstances |
| Preparing the initial application | Subclass 820 is the temporary stage | Prepare application information and relationship evidence |
| Already holding subclass 820 | Subclass 801 is the permanent stage | Keep relevant circumstances and evidence current |
| Approaching permanent assessment | Usually considered two years after the original application | Prepare Stage 2 information through ImmiAccount |
| In a long-term relationship | Earlier permanent consideration may apply | Check whether the relevant circumstances apply |
| Circumstances have changed | Changes may affect permanent-stage assessment | Have the changed circumstances individually assessed |
| Only need specific assistance | Limited-scope professional help may be available | Agree the particular stage or review required |
Before You Move From Subclass 820 to the 801 Stage
A few practical checks can help you prepare the permanent stage without assuming that information from your original Partner visa application is still enough.
Check Your Original Lodgement Date
For most applicants, permanent-stage assessment is considered two years after the original combined 820/801 application. Check that application date in ImmiAccount before deciding when to prepare your Stage 2 information.
Use Current Evidence, Not Just the Old File
The subclass 801 stage can require updated identity, character and continuing-relationship evidence. Review what has changed since the original application and prepare information that reflects your current circumstances.
Do Not Ignore Changed Circumstances
A relationship change, family change or another significant development can affect the permanent stage. Some relationship-ending circumstances may be treated differently, so the effect on your 801 pathway may need individual assessment.
Think Before Applying for Another Visa
Being granted another visa can affect the subclass 801 pathway. If you are considering another visa while waiting for permanent-stage assessment, consider professional advice about how it may affect your position before proceeding.
Adding a Child May Involve Subclass 445
If a dependent child needs to be added after subclass 820 has been granted, a subclass 445 visa may first be required before the child can be included in the permanent Partner visa application. The family’s circumstances should be checked before acting.
Treat Home Affairs Requests as Time-Sensitive
Home Affairs may ask for further documents while the Partner visa matter is being assessed. Provide the requested information through the appropriate application channel and respond within the timeframe that applies to the request.
Preparing for Your Discussion
What to Have in Mind When You Discuss an 820/801 Matter
You do not need to work out every migration issue yourself before making an enquiry. A useful first discussion starts with a clear picture of your circumstances, what you need help with and any matters that may require closer assessment.
-
Explain Where You Are in the 820/801 Pathway
Be ready to explain whether you are considering an onshore Partner visa, preparing an application, already hold subclass 820 or are approaching the permanent subclass 801 stage.
-
Share Your Current Visa Position and Relevant History
Your current visa position and relevant immigration history can matter. Where applicable, mention previous visa refusals or cancellations, relevant visa conditions or other circumstances that may affect an onshore Partner visa assessment.
-
Describe the Relationship and Sponsorship Circumstances
Be prepared to explain the relationship and sponsorship circumstances relevant to your enquiry, particularly if something important has changed since an earlier application or visa stage.
-
Be Clear About the Help You Are Seeking
Explain your main goal, the concerns you want to discuss and whether you are looking for assessment, a document or application review, assistance with a particular stage or broader application support.
Supporting information or documents may be requested where appropriate after your circumstances and the nature of the enquiry have been discussed. What is relevant depends on the individual matter and the assistance required.
Choosing the Right Partner Visa Information
Not Sure the Onshore 820/801 Pathway Is the Right Route?
This page focuses specifically on the onshore Partner Visa 820/801 temporary-to-permanent pathway. If you are still deciding which Partner visa pathway to investigate, these related pages may be more useful.