Partner Visa (Temporary) (Subclass 820)
The onshore Partner visa pathway combines the temporary Subclass 820 and permanent Subclass 801 applications for eligible spouses or de facto partners of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens.
Applicants generally apply while in Australia, with the Subclass 820 allowing them to live in Australia temporarily while progressing towards the permanent stage.
Personalised Migration Guidance
Why Choose Us for Onshore Partner Visas (Subclasses 820 & 801)
Visa Route Migration is led by Rose Khangura, a Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2619247). Rose has two years of confirmed experience in migration and visa services, including work with visa files, documentation and application preparation, supported by a Graduate Diploma in Migration Law & Practice from Victoria University.
Partner visa matters can depend heavily on individual circumstances, relationship history, immigration status and supporting evidence. Visa Route Migration takes a personalised approach, with an emphasis on clear explanations, practical guidance, transparency and realistic expectations rather than treating applications as a standardised process.
Professional assistance can be matched to the agreed scope of the matter. Depending on your needs, this may involve migration advice, a formal visa-options assessment, document or application review, assistance with a particular application stage, or broader application support. Not every client requires the same level of professional engagement.
Rose can communicate with clients in English, Punjabi and Hindi. Visa Route Migration can also work with clients through phone, online or video consultations, email and other confirmed communication methods, with in-person consultations available by appointment.
Your Two Visa Stages
The onshore Partner pathway involves two closely connected stages. Applicants lodge the temporary Subclass 820 and permanent Subclass 801 applications together, with the temporary visa forming the first stage before permanent residence is considered.
Temporary Stage
Permanent Stage
Understanding the Subclass 820 Temporary Stage
The Subclass 820 is the temporary stage of the onshore Partner visa pathway. It is generally available to eligible spouses and de facto partners of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens. Applicants must be in Australia when they apply and need an eligible sponsor, usually their partner. The temporary and permanent Partner visa applications are submitted together rather than as two completely separate initial applications.
Relationship evidence is a central part of the application. Home Affairs asks applicants to provide information and documents supporting the nature of the relationship, which can include its history, shared financial arrangements, household circumstances and evidence relevant to the couple’s life together. De facto applicants should also consider the usual 12-month relationship requirement and the circumstances in which an exception may apply.
Your immigration status at the time of application can also matter. Applicants who do not hold a substantive visa may face additional requirements, while some visa conditions can affect the ability to make a valid onshore application. Professional assistance may therefore involve considering your circumstances, reviewing documentation, helping organise supporting evidence or assisting with application preparation and lodgement where included in the agreed engagement.
I was already in Australia with my partner and initially found the two-stage Partner visa pathway difficult to understand. I wanted professional guidance on how the Subclass 820 and 801 applications fit together and what information was relevant to my circumstances. The explanations helped me make better sense of the temporary and permanent stages and understand why my individual situation needed to be considered rather than relying only on general information online.
Partner Visa Pathway
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️My partner and I were applying on the basis of our de facto relationship, and I was unsure how to approach the supporting information for our application. I wanted someone who could explain what relationship evidence might be relevant without making assumptions about our circumstances. Working through the matter gave me a clearer understanding of the information we needed to consider and where more detailed professional assessment was appropriate.
De Facto Relationship Evidence
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️One of my main concerns was how my existing visa situation could affect an onshore Partner visa application. I did not want to rely on general advice because I knew my immigration status and visa conditions could make a difference. I appreciated having the opportunity to discuss my circumstances properly and understand which issues needed closer attention before deciding how to proceed with the Subclass 820 and 801 pathway.
Onshore Partner Visa
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️We wanted assistance that considered both sides of the Partner visa process rather than focusing only on the applicant. Understanding the sponsor's role, the relationship information and the supporting documents gave us a much clearer picture of what the application involved. I found the personalised approach useful because our questions could be considered in the context of our own relationship and immigration circumstances instead of being answered with generic Partner visa information.
Partner Visa Sponsorship
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I had already done a significant amount of work on my Partner visa application and did not necessarily need someone to take over the entire process. I wanted professional input on the material I had prepared and a clearer understanding of areas that might require further attention. Having the option to discuss a more limited scope of assistance suited what I was looking for and helped me decide what professional support I actually needed.
Partner Visa Application Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I preferred broader assistance because I found the amount of information involved in the Partner visa process difficult to organise on my own. I wanted guidance on the application, supporting material and the different stages rather than trying to work everything out from separate sources. The process became easier to understand once the requirements and next steps were explained in relation to my circumstances and the scope of assistance we had agreed on.
Partner Visa Guidance
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️After receiving my temporary Partner visa, I still had questions about the permanent Subclass 801 stage and what would be expected later. I wanted to understand when the permanent assessment could become relevant and why updated information might be needed. Having the two stages explained as one connected pathway helped me understand that receiving the temporary visa was not necessarily the end of the Partner visa process.
Subclass 801 Stage
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Being able to communicate about my migration matter in a language I was comfortable using made it easier for me to explain my circumstances and ask detailed questions. I appreciated having the option to communicate with Rose in Punjabi while discussing an Australian Partner visa matter. It helped me understand the general process more clearly while also recognising that detailed eligibility advice depends on individual circumstances and professional assessment.
Punjabi Migration Assistance
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Onshore Partner Visa FAQs
Who can apply for a Subclass 820 visa?
In most circumstances, the Subclass 820 is for a person in a genuine married or de facto relationship with an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. The applicant must also have a sponsor, usually their partner. Eligibility depends on the complete circumstances and applicable requirements.
Must I be in Australia when applying?
Yes. Home Affairs currently requires applicants for the Subclass 820 to be in Australia when they apply, along with family members applying with them. The temporary visa can currently be decided while the applicant is either in or outside Australia. Your visa status and any existing visa conditions should also be checked before applying.
Do I apply for 820 and 801 together?
Yes. The temporary Subclass 820 and permanent Subclass 801 applications are lodged together as part of the onshore Partner visa pathway. The Subclass 820 is generally considered first, with the Subclass 801 representing the permanent stage.
Do de facto partners need 12 months together?
Usually, a de facto applicant must have been in the de facto relationship for at least 12 months immediately before applying. Home Affairs identifies exceptions in certain circumstances, including some registered relationships and compelling and compassionate circumstances. The rules should be considered against the facts of the individual relationship.
What relationship evidence may be required?
Applicants need evidence supporting their claimed spouse or de facto relationship. Home Affairs may consider information about the relationship's history, shared financial arrangements, household circumstances and other evidence showing the relationship. Married applicants generally provide evidence of a marriage recognised for Australian migration purposes, while de facto applicants have additional considerations.
What if I do not hold a substantive visa?
The position can be more complex. Home Affairs states that applicants who do not hold a substantive visa may have additional requirements, and in certain circumstances compelling reasons must be demonstrated for the grant of a Partner visa. Your current visa status should therefore be considered carefully before relying on the general eligibility information for the Subclass 820.
When is the Subclass 801 assessed?
In most cases, a person becomes eligible for consideration of the permanent Subclass 801 two years after the date they originally applied for the Subclass 820 and 801 visas. Home Affairs may consider the permanent visa sooner in certain long-term relationship circumstances. Further information and documents may be required for the permanent-stage assessment.
Must the relationship continue for the 801 visa?
In most cases, the applicant must continue to be the spouse or de facto partner of the same person who sponsored the temporary visa. There are circumstances in which a Partner visa application may continue after a relationship ends, including certain situations involving family violence, the sponsor's death or a shared child. Individual advice can be important in these situations.
How much does the 820 and 801 application cost?
As of August 2026, Home Affairs lists the visa application charge from AUD 11,710 for most applicants, with different charges or concessions applying in some circumstances. The permanent Subclass 801 application charge is paid when the temporary and permanent applications are lodged together. Government fees can change, and other application-related costs may also apply.
How long does Partner visa processing take?
There is no fixed processing period that applies to every applicant. Home Affairs publishes current processing-time guidance based on recently decided applications and notes that the figures are guides rather than a timeframe for an individual case. Processing can vary according to the application and whether further information or verification is required.
Can children be included in the application?
A dependent child may be included when the Subclass 820 application is lodged or, in some circumstances, added before the temporary visa is decided. If a child needs to be added after the Subclass 820 has already been granted, different requirements apply and a Dependent Child visa (Subclass 445) may be required before inclusion in the permanent-stage application.
Can Visa Route Migration assess my eligibility?
General website information cannot confirm individual eligibility. Visa Route Migration offers a free initial consultation to understand the general nature of an enquiry and determine whether the practice may be able to assist. A detailed eligibility or visa-options assessment normally requires formal professional engagement.
Phone Number
0450 337 213
Business Location
4 Handsome Ave, Clyde North VIC 3978, Australia
E-Mail ID
[email protected]Discuss Your Onshore Partner Visa
If you are in Australia and considering the Subclass 820 and 801 pathway, complete the enquiry form to arrange a free initial consultation with Visa Route Migration. The initial discussion can help establish your circumstances, the general nature of your Partner visa enquiry and whether the practice may be able to assist. More detailed eligibility advice, risk assessment or application strategy may require formal professional engagement.
Moving to the Subclass 801 Permanent Stage
The Subclass 801 is the permanent stage linked to the temporary Subclass 820. In most cases, a person becomes eligible for permanent-stage assessment two years after the date the combined Partner visa applications were lodged. Home Affairs may consider the permanent visa earlier in certain long-term relationship circumstances. Applicants who are not granted the permanent stage immediately need to provide further information when required for the Subclass 801 assessment.
In most circumstances, the applicant must continue to meet the relationship requirements with the same sponsor. The permanent-stage assessment can involve updated evidence about the relationship and the applicant’s circumstances. Important exceptions can apply when a relationship has ended because of particular circumstances, so a change in relationship circumstances should not automatically be treated as meaning the Partner visa pathway cannot continue.
A granted Subclass 801 is a permanent visa. It allows the holder to remain in Australia permanently, work and study, access Medicare and, if eligible, later apply for Australian citizenship. Visa Route Migration may provide assistance with a particular application stage or broader migration assistance according to the circumstances and agreed professional scope.
Subclass 820 and 801 at a Glance
| Point | Subclass 820 | Subclass 801 |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Temporary stage | Permanent stage |
| Application | Lodged with the 801 application | Lodged with the 820 application |
| Initial Timing | Considered first | Usually considered about two years later |
| Application Location | Applicant must be in Australia | No separate initial application |
| Relationship | Eligible spouse or de facto partner | Same relationship generally continues |
| Evidence | Initial relationship evidence | Updated information may be required |
| Visa Outcome | Temporary visa if granted | Permanent visa if granted |
Six Things to Check for the Onshore Partner Visa Pathway
These practical points can affect how you prepare for the Subclass 820 and 801 pathway and when individual assessment may be important.
Check Your Current Visa Before You Lodge
You must be in Australia when applying for the Subclass 820. Your current visa status and any visa conditions can also matter. If you do not hold a substantive visa, additional requirements may apply, so this should be considered before relying on general eligibility information.
Your Sponsor Is Part of the Picture
An eligible sponsor is required, usually your Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen partner. The sponsor’s role should be considered alongside the relationship information and supporting material relevant to the application.
De Facto Timing Can Change the Analysis
De facto applicants usually need to have been in the de facto relationship for at least 12 months immediately before applying. Exceptions can apply in certain circumstances, including some registered relationships and compelling and compassionate circumstances.
Plan Your Evidence for Both Visa Stages
The Subclass 820 and 801 applications are lodged together, but the pathway does not necessarily finish when the temporary visa is granted. Further information and updated relationship evidence may be required when the permanent Subclass 801 stage is assessed.
Changes After Lodgement May Need Early Attention
A change in family circumstances can affect what happens next. Certain situations involving family violence, the sponsor’s death or a shared child may allow a Partner visa application to continue after a relationship ends. Different requirements can also apply if a child needs to be added after the Subclass 820 has been granted.
Choose the Level of Help You Actually Need
Professional assistance can range from document or application review and help with a particular stage to broader application support. The free initial consultation is for understanding your enquiry and possible next steps; detailed eligibility, risk or strategy advice normally requires formal professional engagement.
Preparing for Your Enquiry
What to Have Ready Before You Enquire About an 820/801 Partner Visa
You do not need to determine your own eligibility before contacting Visa Route Migration. It is useful, however, to be ready to explain the circumstances that may affect an onshore Partner visa discussion.
Your Current Visa Situation
Be ready to explain whether you are currently in Australia, what visa you presently hold and whether there are any visa conditions or an approaching visa expiry that may need closer attention.
Your Relationship Basis and History
Explain whether you are married or in a de facto relationship and be prepared to discuss relevant relationship history. The facts of the relationship can affect what needs to be considered for the Subclass 820 and 801 pathway.
Your Partner’s Sponsorship Position
Be ready to identify whether your partner is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, as the onshore Partner visa pathway requires an eligible sponsor.
Where You Are in the 820/801 Pathway
Let the practice know whether you are only considering an application, preparing to lodge, have already lodged, currently hold the temporary Subclass 820 or need assistance relating to the permanent Subclass 801 stage.
Relevant Immigration History or Concerns
Mention previous immigration matters where relevant and identify any circumstances you are particularly concerned about. This helps distinguish a straightforward enquiry from one that may require more detailed professional assessment.
The Type of Help You Are Looking For
Consider whether you are seeking a detailed assessment, document or application review, assistance with a particular stage, or broader application support. The appropriate professional scope depends on your circumstances and needs.
Check Your Starting Point
Is This the Right Partner Visa Pathway for You?
The onshore and offshore Partner visa pathways are related, but they are not the same route. If you have landed on this page while still deciding where to start, use your circumstances to choose the most relevant next step.