Visa subclass 820/801 · Partner · permanent
Subclass 820/801 Partner (onshore): 2026 eligibility, points and processing
The 820 (temporary) and 801 (permanent) form a single 2-stage onshore partner visa application. Lodge once, pay one fee, and the Department first grants the 820 (temporary partner visa) then assesses the 801 (PR) typically 2 years after lodgement.
★Key takeaways
- ✓Subclass 820/801 Partner (onshore) is a permanent visa for partner applicants.
- ✓No points test – eligibility is sponsorship + skills assessment + work experience based.
- ✓Processing: 18 months (820) median (source: Department of Home Affairs Global Visa Processing Times, January 2026).
- ✓Primary VAC1: $9,095.
- ✓Path to PR: 801 PR is granted typically 2 years after the 820 was lodged, provided the relationship is still genuine and continuing.
At a glance
Stream
permanent, open for new applications
Age limit
Both partners must be 18 or over.
Work rights
Bridging Visa A automatically granted at lodgement – unrestricted work rights from the day after the previous substantive visa expires. After 820 grant, unrestricted work rights continue.
Path to PR
801 PR is granted typically 2 years after the 820 was lodged, provided the relationship is still genuine and continuing. Citizenship eligible after 4 years’ lawful residence including 12 months as PR.
Eligibility
Eligibility checklist
Every box below must tick before lodgement. Missing any one of them either makes the visa impossible or pushes the applicant into a different subclass.
- In Australia at time of application and at time of 820 grant
- Spouse (married) or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
- De facto: 12 months of cohabitation prior to application (waived if relationship is registered in a state that recognises de facto relationships, e.g. NSW, VIC, QLD, TAS, ACT)
- Spouse: legally married under Australian or recognised foreign law
- Genuine and continuing relationship: evidence across financial, social, household and commitment categories (Form 47SP, Form 40SP)
- Sponsor must be 18+ and meet character requirements
- Health and character requirements (police checks from all countries lived in 12+ months in last 10 years)
Processing time
How long does it take?
Published by Home Affairs as 25th, 50th and 90th percentile times. Individual processing can be faster or slower depending on documentation, country of passport and decision-ready status.
| 25% of applications | 50% (median) | 90% of applications |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months (820) | 18 months (820) | 36 months (820 + 801 total) |
Department of Home Affairs Global Visa Processing Times, January 2026. See current processing times across all subclasses.
Cost
Visa Application Charge
| Applicant | VAC1 (lodgement) |
|---|---|
| Primary applicant | $9,095 |
| Partner (secondary) | n/a |
| Child (secondary) | $2,275 |
VAC1 from 1 July 2024 (rises annually 1 July). Single fee covers both 820 and 801 stages. Currently no separate VAC2 for the 801 stage.
In depth
What you actually need to know
820/801 is the standard onshore partner visa pathway. The applicant must be in Australia at lodgement and at 820 grant; the relationship must be genuine and continuing; the sponsor must be an Australian citizen, PR or eligible NZ citizen. A single application fee covers both stages.
The Department’s evidentiary expectation has tightened over the last decade. The four pillars of relationship evidence are financial (joint bank statements, leases, utilities), social (joint invitations, friends’ statements, photos), household (cohabitation evidence, shared mortgage) and nature/commitment (statutory declarations, future plans, family integration). Strong applications include 12+ months of evidence across all four pillars.
Sponsorship limits are strict. A sponsor can sponsor at most 2 partners in a lifetime, with at least 5 years between sponsorships. Sponsors with character concerns (significant criminal record) are barred. Family violence provisions allow an applicant to be granted PR even if the relationship breaks down, provided family violence by the sponsor can be established.
Bridging Visa A is automatically granted at lodgement, giving the applicant unrestricted work and study rights from when their previous substantive visa expires until the 820 is decided. Travel out of Australia on a BVA requires a BVB grant first.
Visa conditions to know
- Standard partner visa conditions; relationship continuation required for 801 grant
Occupations covered
n/a
Pathway to permanent residence
801 PR is granted typically 2 years after the 820 was lodged, provided the relationship is still genuine and continuing. Citizenship eligible after 4 years’ lawful residence including 12 months as PR.
Common questions
Subclass 820/801 Partner (onshore) – common questions
How long does the 820 / 801 take?
820 (temporary) is typically granted 12–24 months after lodgement. 801 (PR) is granted approximately 2 years after the original lodgement date, assuming the relationship is still genuine. Total elapsed time from lodgement to PR is commonly 2–3 years; in some cases the 820 and 801 are decided together if the 2-year mark has passed before any decision is made.
Can I work while my 820 is being processed?
Yes. Bridging Visa A is auto-granted at lodgement and gives unrestricted work rights from the day after your previous substantive visa expires. You can keep working continuously without a gap.
What if my relationship breaks down before 801?
Generally the 801 will be refused unless one of the limited exceptions applies: family violence by the sponsor, death of the sponsor, or shared custody of an Australian child. Speak to a migration agent or immigration lawyer immediately if your relationship breaks down during the partner visa process.
Do I need a lawyer or migration agent for a partner visa?
Not legally required but very common. Partner visa applications are evidence-heavy and the Department’s expectation has tightened. A MARA-registered agent or immigration lawyer typically charges $3,500–$6,500 for a partner visa, and the cost is small relative to the $9,095 government fee and the cost of refusal.
Source
Primary source for this page
Information on this page is summarised from the Department of Home Affairs visa listing for subclass 820/801. Always confirm details against the primary source before lodging.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/partner-onshore-820-801 →
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