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Subclass 820/801

Subclass 820/801 — onshore partner visa (temporary 820 → permanent 801)

What is the subclass 820 visa? The onshore partner visa for spouses and de facto partners — temporary 820, then permanent 801. Eligibility, processing time and the 820 → 801 pathway.

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Pathway

Permanent

Processing time

20–30 months (820 → 801 combined)

Government fee

AUD 11,710+

Visa duration

820: temporary · 801: indefinite

Overview

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Detailed legal content below is being updated. Contact VisaAffairs directly for an assessment of your specific circumstances.

Subclass 820/801 (Partner onshore) is a permanent family visa — for partners of Australian citizens / PRs / NZ citizens, lodged inside Australia.

It is a combined application — you lodge 820 and 801 together, pay one fee, and the Department assesses them in sequence:

  • 820 (temporary) — granted first, allows living, working, study, Medicare.
  • 801 (PR) — assessed after ≥2 years, lifts 820 to PR.

Four pillars to prove the relationship:

  1. Financial — joint finances (accounts, lease, insurance, shared expenses).
  2. Social — friends, family, public events together.
  3. Household — living together, sharing household responsibilities.
  4. Commitment — long-term commitment (will, beneficiary, future plans).

Detailed legal content (sponsor limitations, DFV provisions, dependent children, 820/801 vs 309/100 offshore) is being updated. Book a consultation for a relationship assessment.

Key eligibility

  • In Australia at the time of lodgement and at decision
  • Married or in a de facto relationship of ≥12 months (with exceptions)
  • Sponsor is an Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen
  • Sponsor approved before the visa application is decided
  • Meet health and character requirements (applicant and accompanying children)

Process

  1. 01

    Assess the relationship

    Prepare the four pillars of evidence: financial, social, household, commitment.

  2. 02

    Sponsor approval

    Sponsor lodges a sponsorship application, AFP check, Form 80 if required.

  3. 03

    Lodge 820 + 801 combined

    Combined application — one file, one fee, two visas assessed sequentially.

  4. 04

    820 granted → review → 801 granted

    820 (temporary) is granted first. After ≥2 years from lodgement, the Department reviews and grants 801 (PR).

Estimated cost

Department of Home Affairs fee (per immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) AUD 11,710+
VisaAffairs service fee Quoted after initial consultation
Third-party costs (health, AFP check, translations, etc.) Varies by case
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All figures are indicative as of last update. Department of Home Affairs fees change periodically — verify on the official site before lodging. immi.homeaffairs.gov.au →

How VisaAffairs helps

Clear eligibility assessment

VisaAffairs reviews your full situation against current rules — no boilerplate templates.

Document set reviewed item-by-item

Every piece of evidence is checked before lodgement — minimising the risk of request for further information.

Case officer tracking

VisaAffairs monitors ImmiAccount and responds to case officer requests on time.

Frequently asked questions

Are there exceptions to the 12-month de facto requirement?
Yes. Main exceptions: state/territory relationship registration (Vic, NSW, Qld, ACT, Tas), shared children, or compelling and compassionate circumstances. Verify with VisaAffairs.
What rights do I have under domestic and family violence provisions?
DFV provisions allow the applicant to continue to be assessed for 801 even if the relationship ends — if DFV occurring within the relationship is established. Sensitive area — contact immediately if relevant.
Is there a limit on how often a sponsor can sponsor a partner?
Yes. The 'limitation on sponsorship': each sponsor can sponsor at most 2 partners in a lifetime, ≥5 years apart. Check sponsor history before lodging.
How long does the 801 take after the 820?
Typically ≥2 years from 820 lodgement before 801 is assessed. Total time from lodgement to 801 grant is usually 20–30 months. During 820 the applicant has full work, study and Medicare rights.

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