Why Apply for Subclass 820 & 801?

• Reside in Australia for an unrestricted period
• Work, and study in Australia
• Social and healthcare benefits
• Apply for citizenship in Australia, if eligible

Partner Visa Subclass 820 & 801

With the Partner Visa subclass 820 & 801 visas, spouses or de-facto partners of Australian citizens or permanent residents, or New Zealand citizens can live in the country. On the one hand, Subclass visa 820 is a short-term visa, and Subclass 801 visa is a permanent one.

If you intend on applying for visa 801, you must be a Subclass 820 visa holder. Visa 801 allows you to reside in Australia for an unrestricted period. During this time, you can reside, work, and study in the country. You are also allowed to attend free English classes that the Adult Migrant English Program provides.

You are allowed to apply for citizenship in Australia if you satisfy the clauses that the authority mentions. You are also eligible to register in an Australian public health care scheme (Medicare) and use it whenever you need it. Sponsor your close family members who intend to come and stay in Australia with you under visa 801.

Benefits of Subclass Visa 820 & 801

If you hold a Partner visa Australia, you can reside permanently in the country. You can study and also work with a recognized establishment with a visa. You are allowed to travel to and from Australia unrestrictedly for the first five years under an 801 visa. To continue this way, you must apply for Resident Reserve (RRV) and enter the country again. You are allowed to travel to your home country any number of times under Visa subclass 820. You can enroll in various healthcare schemes with these visas. You can apply for citizenship in Australia under subclass 820 if you satisfy the eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Criteria for a Partner Visa 820 & 801

When applying for Australian Visa 820 and visa subclass 801, you need to meet certain requirements that are listed as follows:

• When an individual applies for Visa 820, he/she needs to be in Australia and not in the immigration clearance. Any family member who is traveling with you also must be in Australia when he/she applies for it.
• If you intend to apply for an 801 visa, you should be holding a Subclass 820 visa.
• You should have married or need to be in a de-facto relationship with an individual who is a citizen or a permanent resident of Australia.

Australian Partner Visa Subclass 820 & 801’s Eligibility 

You must meet certain aspects in order to get Partner Visa 820 & 801. The eligibility criteria for Visa 820 & 801 are as follows:

For Subclass 820

Status of the Visa

Visa should not have been declined or canceled in the past.

Sponsorship Details

You and your family members who are applying for visa 820 must have a sponsor. If the Australian government accepts the sponsorship, the same individual needs to sponsor you for two years after the visa issuance.

Requirement of Age 

The applicant should be aged more than 18.

Requirements of Health and Character 

The Australian government needs applicants to meet the requirements of health and character for the Visa. If the authorities ask your extended family members to attend the test, they should do so.

For Subclass 801

Visa Holder

You must hold a visa of either a Partner visa subclass 820 or a dependent child visa subclass 445.

For Subclass 801 as well as Subclass 820

Outstanding Dues

As mentioned earlier, you must not be indebted to the Australian government. In case you are, ensure to repay it before applying for a visa.

Best Interest of the Children

A visa will not be granted if it is not in the best interest of the children.

Relationship Conditions

You must be a spouse or a de-facto partner of a citizen or a permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealander.

Requirements for Partner Visa 820 and 801

The requirements for both the 820 visa and visa subclass 801 have to be met in case you want a visa to be issued. The conditions are as follows:

For Subclass 801

• To get an 801 visa, you should be a visa holder of either a Partner visa subclass 820 or a dependent child visa subclass 445.

For Subclass 820

• Need to be aged more than 18.
• Not have had a visa declined or canceled in the past.
• Need to meet health and character requirements.
• Need to submit the details of the sponsorship.

For Subclass 801 as well as Subclass 820

• You should not be indebted to the government of Australia.
• Must meet the relationship requirements.
• Must consider the best knowledge of children aged fewer than 18.

Partner Visa Subclass 820 and 801 Checklist

It is critical to maintain a to-do list for Visa subclass 801 as well as Partner visa 820, which will help you get a visa successfully.

For Subclass 820

• Be ready with all the requirements, including age criteria, health and character requirements, details of sponsorship, etc.
• Be present in Australia when applying online.

For Subclass 801

• If a visa is issued immediately after visa 820, you do not need the requirements; in case it is not issued, you must submit the details.
• You can access the visa application after two years of filing the visa application form. You must send the requirements two months prior to the end of two years. You are advised not to submit them earlier than the specified date.

For Subclass 801 as well as Subclass 820

• If your application is accepted, you will get the visa details, such as the grant number, the start of the visa date, etc.
• If the application is declined, the rejection details will be notified to you.
• In no case will you be refunded the processing fee.

Relationship Evidence Checklist for Partner Visa

The Department of Home Affairs assesses four key aspects of your relationship. Use the checklist below to organise your documents.

Aspect	Evidence
Financial	- Joint bank account statements
	- Shared assets or property ownership
	- Loan or utility accounts in both names
	- Proof of shared household expenses
Household	- Lease or mortgage in joint names
	- Utility bills with shared address
	- Driver’s licences showing same address
	- Evidence of shared responsibilities (e.g., children’s birth certificates)
Social	- Joint travel bookings or itineraries
	- Photos together with family/friends
	- Invitations to events as a couple
	- Statutory declarations from friends/family (Form 888)
Commitment	- Communication records (messages, calls, emails)
	- Relationship statement (history and future plans)
	- Wills, superannuation or insurance nominations
	- Evidence of long-term plans or commitments together

Steps to Apply for a Partner Visa (Subclass 820)

Step 1: Confirm eligibility
Step 2: Create an ImmiAccount
Step 3: Gather your documents
Step 4: Complete and submit the application
Step 5: Undertake health and character checks
Step 6: Receive a Bridging Visa (BVA)
Step 7: Wait for the visa decision

Partner Visa Fees & Charges (Subclass 820 & 801)

When applying for the Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801), you pay the Visa Application Charge (VAC) at the time of lodgement. Fees vary depending on whether you are the main applicant, adding dependants, or applying after holding a Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300).

Category	Visa Application Charge (VAC)
Main Applicant	AUD 8,850 (approx.)
Additional Applicant (18 or over)	AUD 4,430 (approx.)
Additional Applicant (under 18)	AUD 2,215 (approx.)
Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) holder applying for Partner Visa	Reduced charge (approx. AUD 1,410)

Note: Fees are set by the Department of Home Affairs and are subject to change. Always confirm with the Visa Pricing Estimator before applying.

Processing Times for Australian Visa Subclass 820 and 801 Visas

The processing time of the 801 visa and the visa subclass 820 is decided based on the factors stated below:

• Provision of requirements necessary for the application form.
• Filling up the application form accurately.
• The authority requires time to confirm all the details you have provided.

Visa Type	Time to process 25% of applications	Time to process 50% of applications	Time to process 75% of applications	Time to process 90% of applications
Subclass 820 (Temporary)	Six Months	11 Months	25 Months	34 months
Subclass 801 (Permanent)	81 Days	Five Months	Nine Months	16 months

Partner Visa Application Process Timeline (Subclass 820 → 801)

When you apply onshore for the Partner Visa, you are lodging both the temporary (Subclass 820) and permanent (Subclass 801) visas together. The Department of Home Affairs processes these in stages:

Step 1 – Application Submission
You lodge your combined Subclass 820/801 application online via ImmiAccount. Your Australian partner submits a sponsorship application as part of this process.

Step 2 – Bridging Visa Granted
After lodgement, most applicants receive a Bridging Visa A (BVA) that allows them to stay lawfully in Australia while the application is being processed. The BVA activates once your current substantive visa expires. If you need to travel overseas, you must apply for a Bridging Visa B (BVB) before departure.

Step 3 – Temporary Partner Visa (Subclass 820)
Once your eligibility and relationship evidence are assessed, the temporary visa (820) is granted. This visa lets you live, work, and study in Australia while waiting for the permanent stage.

Step 4 – Permanent Partner Visa (Subclass 801)
You are usually assessed for the permanent visa (801) about two years after lodging your combined application. In some cases, such as long-term relationships or couples with children, the 820 and 801 visas may be granted at the same time (often called a “double grant”).

Bridging Visa Guide (BVA vs BVB) While Your Partner Visa Is Processing

Use this section to explain what happens after you lodge the onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801) and how Bridging visas work—when they start, travel rules, and work rights. (Information aligned with Department of Home Affairs guidance.)

1) Activation — when your Bridging visa starts

The Bridging visa linked to your partner application generally comes into effect only after your current substantive visa expires.

Until then, you remain on (and must comply with) the conditions of your current visa.

Once active, the Bridging visa keeps you lawful in Australia until a decision is made on your application.

2) Travel while you wait (BVA vs BVB)

A Bridging visa A (BVA) lets you stay in Australia lawfully but does not allow you to re-enter Australia if you leave.

If you must travel, apply for a Bridging visa B (BVB) before you depart. A BVB permits departure and return during an approved travel period.

You must return within the BVB’s travel window to re-enter Australia on that visa.

3) Work & study rights (check your conditions)

Work rights depend on your specific Bridging visa conditions. Many partner applicants receive a BVA without work restrictions, but this is not guaranteed.

Always check your grant letter and your visa record (e.g., via VEVO) to confirm work/study conditions.

If your BVA has work limits, you may request a variation (for example, via an online request or Form 1005) and provide reasons/evidence such as financial hardship.

Quick compare: BVA vs BVB

Bridging visa	When it activates	Travel	Work rights	How to change/apply
BVA (Subclass 010)	After your current substantive visa expires	No re-entry if you depart; leaving generally ends your BVA	Depends on conditions in your grant letter; may be unrestricted or limited	Request a variation of conditions if needed (e.g., work rights)
BVB (Subclass 020)	Granted specifically to cover travel while your application is in process	Yes. You can depart and return within the approved travel window	Usually mirrors the work conditions of your active BVA; confirm in your grant letter	Apply before travel; include itinerary/reasons; a fee applies

What Happens if Your Relationship Breaks Down Before Permanent Residency?

Applying for a Partner Visa requires you to show that your relationship is genuine and ongoing. If the relationship ends before your permanent visa (Subclass 801) is granted, there are important risks to be aware of:

1) Obligation to Notify

• You must inform the Department of Home Affairs if your relationship ends by lodging a change of circumstances form (Form 1022).

• Failure to notify can lead to visa refusal or cancellation if the department becomes aware of the change later.

2) Visa Cancellation or Refusal

• If your relationship has ended, your temporary Partner Visa (Subclass 820) or your application for the permanent stage (Subclass 801) may be refused or cancelled.

• This usually means you will no longer hold the right to remain in Australia unless you qualify under special circumstances.

3) Limited Exceptions

In some situations, you may still be eligible to continue with your permanent visa application even after a relationship breakdown, such as if:

• Your partner has died;

• You or your dependants have experienced family or domestic violence;

• You share custody or parental responsibility for a child with your sponsor.

4) No Refund of Visa Charges

• The Visa Application Charge (VAC) is generally non-refundable, even if your relationship ends and the visa is refused or cancelled.

• This can mean a significant financial loss if your application is withdrawn or refused.

5) Immigration Consequences

• If your visa is cancelled, you may need to leave Australia unless you hold or apply for another visa.

• Future visa applications may also be affected if the department finds that false or misleading information was provided about your relationship.

How Can Y-Axis Help You?

With our vast experience in Australian immigration, Y-Axis can help you understand and navigate the process with complete confidence. Our services include:

• Eligibility Evaluation
• Immigration Checklist
• Complete Application processing
• Assisting in arranging the requirements
• Updates & follow up
   

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