Partner Visa Australia

The Partner Visa Australia (Subclass 820/801 & Subclass 309/100 ) allows the de-facto partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia. This visa is designed for couples who are in a genuine and continuing relationship and want to build their life together in Australia.

The onshore Partner Visa is applied while the applicant is already in Australia. The visa process has two stages: a Provisional Visa (Subclass 820) and a Permanent Visa (Subclass 801).

The offshore Partner Visa is applied while the applicant is outside of Australia. The grant of the provisional visa (Subclass 309) allows the applicant to enter Australia and apply for the permanent visa onshore (Subclass 100).

The Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) allows individuals who are engaged to travel to Australia to marry their Australian citizen, permanent resident or elegible New Zealand citizen sponsor. After marriage the individual can apply to an onshore Partner Visa.

What is the Partner Visa?

The Partner Visa (820/801) is a two stage visa pathway that allows partners of Australian citizens or permanent residents to live together in Australia.

The process typically works as follows:

1. Apply for the Temporary Partner Visa (Subclass 820) while in Australia.

2. After assessment, the applicant may receive the temporary visa.

3. Around two years later, the applicant becomes eligible for the Permanent Partner Visa (Subclass 801).

Once the permanent stage is granted, the visa holder becomes an Australian Permanent resident.

Temporary Partner Visa (Subclass 820)

The Temporary Partner Visa (Subclass 820) is the first step in the partner visa process. Applicants must be in Australia when applying and also in Australia when the visa is granted. This visa allows the applicant to remain in Australia while the permanent partner visa is processed.

People who apply for this visa are granted a Bridging Visa, which allows them to stay lawfully in Australia while their partner visa application is being assessed.

The temporary visa allows couples to continue living together in Australia and provide additional evidence of their relationship if required.

Permanent Partner Visa (Subclass 801)

The Permanent Partner Visa (Subclass 801) is the second stage of the partner visa pathway.

This stage is usually assessed about two years after the initial partner visa application. During this time, the Department of Home Affairs reviews whether the relationship is still genuine and ongoing.

Once granted, the visa holder becomes a Permanent Resident of Australia, allowing them to live, work, and study in the country permanently.