Onshore Partner Visa

Subclass 820/801

The Onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801) allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia. This visa is a two-stage process, beginning with the temporary Subclass 820 visa and leading to the permanent Subclass 801 visa. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you understand the process, requirements, and benefits of the Onshore Partner Visa.

What is the Onshore Partner Visa?

The Onshore Partner Visa is designed for individuals who are already in Australia and wish to stay with their partner. The application is lodged and processed while the applicant is in Australia, allowing them to remain in the country during the processing period.

Temporary Partner Visa (Subclass 820)

The first stage of the process is the temporary Subclass 820 visa. This visa allows you to:

Stay in Australia until a decision is made on your permanent visa (Subclass 801)
Work and study in Australia (without access to government funding for tertiary education)
Enroll in Australia's public healthcare scheme, Medicare
Travel to and from Australia

Permanent Partner Visa (Subclass 801)

The second stage is the permanent Subclass 801 visa. This visa grants you:

Permanent residency in Australia
The right to work and study in Australia
Access to Medicare and certain social security payments
The ability to sponsor relatives for permanent residency
Travel to and from Australia for five years
Apply for Australian citizenship (if eligible)

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801), you must meet several criteria:

Relationship Requirements:

Be married or in a de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
Provide evidence of a genuine and continuing relationship
If married, your marriage must be legally valid under Australian law
If in a de facto relationship, you must have been in the relationship for at least 12 months (unless there are compelling and compassionate circumstances)

Age Requirement:

Both the visa applicant and sponsor must be 18 years or older

Health and Character Requirements:

Meet health requirements by undergoing a medical examination
Meet character requirements by providing police certificates from all countries where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years

Sponsorship:

Your partner must be willing and able to sponsor you
The sponsor must meet character requirements and provide evidence of their Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or eligible New Zealand citizenship

Application Process:

Prepare Your Documents:

Gather documents to prove your identity, relationship, health, and character
Evidence of your relationship can include joint bank account statements, rental agreements, photographs, and statutory declarations

Lodge Your Application:

Submit your application online through the Department of Home Affairs website
Pay the visa application fee

Temporary Visa Processing:

After submitting your application, you will be granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA) to stay in Australia while your Subclass 820 visa is processed

Permanent Visa Processing:

Once you have held the temporary Subclass 820 visa for at least two years, you can be assessed for the permanent Subclass 801 visa
You may need to provide updated evidence of your continuing relationship

Processing Times

Processing times for the Onshore Partner Visa can vary. Generally, the Subclass 820 visa takes 20 to 29 months, and the Subclass 801 visa takes 11 to 23 months. Factors affecting processing times include the completeness of your application and the demand for this visa category. Please refer to the department's processing time guide for the current estimates on processing times.

Benefits of he Onshore Partner Visa

Stability: Allows you to stay with your partner in Australia during the entire processing period
Work Rights: Grants full work rights in Australia
Healthcare: Access to Medicare
Pathway to Citizenship: Opens the door to becoming an Australian citizen

Ready to get started?

Book a Free Call to start your Onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801) application and reunite with your loved one in Australia.

Let our specialist Migration Agent at Partner Visa Planners make your Onshore Partner Visa journey smoother and more successful.

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Who Should Apply for the Onshore Partner Visa?

Ideal for couples already living together in Australia, this visa is suited to those on valid temporary visas (such as visitor, student, or work visas) who want to stay permanently with their partner. It’s important to lodge while the applicant is physically in Australia holding a substantive visa.

When to Apply for the Onshore Partner Visa?

You should apply before your current substantive visa expires. Lodging a valid application grants a Bridging Visa A, allowing you to remain lawfully in Australia while awaiting a decision.

What If You're on a Visitor Visa?

You can still apply for a Partner Visa while on a Visitor Visa, provided you don’t have a “No Further Stay” condition. Many couples apply after arriving in Australia to stay together without needing to leave.

Bridging Visa Conditions

Once you lodge the Subclass 820 visa, you’ll get a Bridging Visa A (BVA) which allows you to:

Stay legally in Australia
Work (if otherwise not granted)
Apply for Medicare

Note: You can’t travel on a BVA unless you apply for a Bridging Visa B

Four Pillars of partner Visa

Onshore Partner Visa Checklist

A quick checklist to help you get started:

Passport copies (applicant and sponsor)
Relationship evidence (photos, messages, joint bills)
Form 888 – statutory declarations from friends/family
Proof of living together (leases, utility bills)
Police clearances
Health examination

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many Partner Visa applications are delayed or refused due to avoidable errors. Some common issues include:

Submitting insufficient evidence of the relationship
Not disclosing prior visa refusals or character issues
Providing inconsistent information between documents and forms
Failing to meet the eligibility criteria at the time of application

Engaging a registered migration agent can help reduce these risks and ensure your application is properly prepared.

Partner Visa Cost Breakdown

Visa Application Fee: $9,095 (refer to the Department's website for current fees)
Health & Police Checks: $200–$700
Agent Fees: Varies

Note: Additional surcharges apply for card payments

Why Use a Registered Migration Agent

Navigating the Australian partner visa process can be complex and stressful — specially when your future together depends on it. A Registered Migration Agent (RMA) can make the journey smoother, faster, and far less overwhelming.

Expert Knowledge of Migration Law

A registered agent understands current legislation, policy changes, and Department expectations — helping you avoid common pitfalls that can lead to costly delays or refusals.

Stronger, Well-Structured Applications

Agents know how to present your relationship in line with immigration criteria. They ensure your documents, evidence, and statements clearly support the genuine and continuing nature of your partnership.

Liaison with the Department of Home Affairs

An RMA acts on your behalf when communicating with the Department, managing any follow-up requests, bridging visa issues, or updates that may arise during processing.

Peace of Mind

With a professional guiding you, you’ll feel confident that your application is in good hands — especially during long processing times or if unexpected issues occur.

Consumer Protection

Only Registered Migration Agents (listed on OMARA) are bound by a Code of Conduct and must meet strict professional and ethical standards. Always check the register before engaging an agent.

Bonus Tip: Submit a Complete Application for Faster Processing

Front-loading your application with complete documentation, including Form 80, police checks, and medical results, can help speed up the decision-making process.