Saleem Ullah — Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1796061
Subclass 820/801 Partner Visa Australia: 2026 Guide
Applying for an onshore Partner visa (subclass 820/801) ? Learn about eligibility, evidence, costs, visa stages and key application risks. Get Personalised Advice,
Saleem Ullah
8/8/2026
Subclass 820/801 Partner Visa: A Clear Guide for Couples in Australia
Building a life with your partner in Australia is deeply personal. The visa application supporting that future, however, must satisfy detailed legal and evidentiary requirements.
The Partner visa subclasses 820 and 801 provide an onshore pathway for an eligible spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. Although commonly called one “Partner visa application”, it normally involves two stages: a temporary visa followed by assessment for permanent residence.
This guide explains the pathway in clear language, without suggesting that approval is automatic or guaranteed.
What are the Subclass 820 and 801 Partner visas?
The Subclass 820 Partner visa is the temporary stage. It allows an eligible applicant to remain in Australia while the permanent Partner visa application is being processed.
Once granted, the Subclass 820 visa generally allows the holder to:
Live, work and study in Australia
Travel to and from Australia
Apply for access to Medicare
Remain in Australia until the permanent-stage application is finalised or withdrawn
The Subclass 801 Partner visa is the permanent stage. If granted, it allows the visa holder to live, work and study in Australia indefinitely, access Medicare, sponsor eligible family members and apply for Australian citizenship when eligible.
The Department generally considers an applicant eligible for permanent-stage assessment two years after the combined Partner visa application was lodged. This does not mean the Subclass 801 visa will automatically be granted—or decided—exactly two years after lodgement. Earlier consideration may be possible in certain long-term relationships. See the official Subclass 801 Partner visa information.
Who may be eligible to apply?
The applicant will generally need to:
Be in Australia when lodging the application
Be married to, or in a qualifying de facto relationship with, the sponsor
Have a genuine and continuing relationship
Share a mutual commitment to a life together, to the exclusion of other partners
Live together or not live permanently apart
Be sponsored by an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
Meet applicable health and character requirements
Satisfy any requirements relating to their current or previous visa status
Married applicants must provide evidence that their marriage is legally recognised. Marriage alone does not prove that the relationship satisfies every Partner visa requirement.
De facto applicants usually need to demonstrate at least 12 months of qualifying de facto relationship immediately before applying. Exceptions may apply, including where the relationship has been formally registered with an Australian state or territory authority or where particular compelling circumstances exist.
Check your current visa before applying
Being in a genuine relationship does not necessarily mean an applicant can lodge a valid onshore Partner visa application.
Before applying, it is important to check:
The applicant’s current visa and expiry date
Any “No Further Stay” condition, such as condition 8503
Whether the applicant holds a substantive visa
Any previous visa refusal or cancellation
Restrictions connected with certain provisional regional visas
The conditions and travel rights of any bridging visa
An applicant without a substantive visa may face additional legal criteria. These matters should be assessed before lodgement—not after the application charge has been paid.
What relationship evidence is required?
A successful Partner visa application is not based on the volume of photographs uploaded. The evidence should present a credible and consistent account of how the relationship began, developed and continues.
The Department may consider four broad areas.
1. Financial aspects
Examples may include:
Joint bank accounts and shared transactions
Joint lease, mortgage or property documents
Shared household bills
Evidence of major purchases or financial commitments
Records showing how everyday expenses are managed
2. Nature of the household
This may include evidence showing:
Shared residential arrangements
How household responsibilities are divided
Joint correspondence at the same address
Shared responsibility for children or dependants
Practical arrangements during periods of separation
3. Social aspects
Useful evidence may include:
Invitations addressed to both partners
Travel and event records
Evidence of shared friends and family connections
Joint cultural, sporting or community activities
Records showing that organisations recognise the relationship
4. Commitment to each other
Applicants may provide evidence demonstrating:
Knowledge of each other’s personal and family circumstances
Communication during periods apart
Long-term plans and combined personal affairs
Support provided during significant life events
The history and future direction of the relationship
Evidence should cover the relationship over time. A smaller, well-organised collection of relevant documents can communicate the relationship more effectively than an unexplained document dump.
How much does the Subclass 820/801 application cost?
As at 8 August 2026, the Department lists the visa application charge from AUD 11,710 for most primary applicants. A lower charge is listed for eligible Subclass 300 visa holders. Additional applicant charges and separate expenses for health examinations, police certificates, biometrics or document translations may also apply.
From 1 July 2026, a reduced application charge may apply to eligible citizens of specified Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste who apply using a valid passport.
Government charges can change. Always confirm the amount using the Department’s current Subclass 820 information and Visa Pricing Estimator before lodging.
Common Partner visa application mistakes
Common problems include:
Providing inconsistent relationship dates
Relying only on a marriage certificate or photographs
Submitting generic statements that do not reflect the couple’s circumstances
Failing to explain periods of separation
Ignoring visa conditions or previous immigration history
Delaying the sponsor’s application or police checks
Uploading documents without clear filenames or context
Failing to update the Department when circumstances change
Assuming the permanent stage will be granted automatically
Every applicant and sponsor should carefully review forms, statements and supporting documents for consistency before submission.
What if the relationship changes?
The Department must be informed if the relationship ends or other relevant circumstances change.
In limited circumstances, a Partner visa application may still continue after a relationship has ended—for example, where the sponsor has died, family violence has occurred, or there is a child of the relationship and relevant parental responsibilities continue. These cases require careful, confidential assessment.
A person experiencing immediate danger should call 000. Confidential support is also available through 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. Further information is available through the Department’s family violence provisions.
Preparing a stronger application
A well-prepared Partner visa application should connect the forms, relationship statements and supporting documents into one accurate and coherent history. Each piece of evidence should have a clear purpose.
Melbourne Migration Services can assess eligibility, identify potential visa complications and assist with the preparation of an organised Subclass 820/801 Partner visa application.
Melbourne Migration Services
Registered Migration Agent — MARN 1796061
melbournemigrationservices.com.au
Disclaimer
This article provides general information only and does not constitute personalised immigration assistance or legal advice. Partner visa requirements, government charges, policies and processing arrangements can change. Eligibility and outcomes depend on individual circumstances and the law applicable at the relevant time. No visa outcome or processing timeframe can be guaranteed. Before making an immigration decision, talk to the Australian Department of Home Affairs or obtain advice from a registered migration agent.
Official reference: Department of Home Affairs — Partner visa subclasses 820 and 801.
© 2026 Melbourne Migration Services. Original editorial content. All rights reserved. MARN 1796061.
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