Onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801)

What is the onshore Partner visa (820/801)?

The onshore Partner visa is a two-stage pathway for the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who is in Australia.

• Subclass 820 (Temporary): allows you to stay in Australia while the permanent stage is assessed.

• Subclass 801 (Permanent): the permanent stage that, once granted, allows you to remain in Australia indefinitely.

In most cases, you lodge a combined application (820 + 801). The temporary stage is assessed first, and the permanent stage is assessed later through Stage 2.

Who can apply for a Partner visa 820/801 onshore?

You usually qualify if:

• You are in Australia when you apply.

• You are the spouse or de facto partner of an eligible sponsor (Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen).

• Your relationship is genuine and continuing.

• You meet health and character requirements.

• Your sponsor meets sponsorship requirements (including character checks where requested).

If you are outside Australia, the onshore partner pathway is generally not the correct visa stream.

Cost (and what you should budget for)

The onshore Partner visa charge is significant and is set by the Australian Government. In addition to the visa application charge, many applicants also need to budget for:

• health examinations

• police clearances

• biometrics (if requested)

• translations and certified copies (where needed)

Fees change from time to time, so always confirm the current charge before lodgement.

The relationship test: what decision makers actually assess

A strong partner visa application is not just a pile of documents. It’s a consistent story supported by evidence across four core areas (often referred to as the “four pillars”):

1) Financial aspects of the relationship

Decision makers look for evidence of shared financial life, such as:

• joint accounts or shared spending habits

• shared bills, rent, utilities, insurance

• evidence of financial support and interdependence

• major purchases or financial commitments together

2) Nature of the household

This is about how you live as a couple:

• shared address history (leases, correspondence, official mail)

• household responsibilities and routines

• evidence you genuinely live together, not just visit

3) Social aspects of the relationship

This shows whether your relationship is recognised by others:

• invitations, events, travel, and shared social life

• evidence friends and family know you as a couple

• joint photos over time (not all from one week)

• supporting statements from people who know your relationship

4) Nature of commitment

This is the long-game evidence:

• relationship timeline and milestones

• plans for the future (shared goals, long-term intent)

• evidence of exclusivity and ongoing commitment

• how you’ve handled challenges (distance, relocations, family obligations)

Migration Vision tip: One coherent timeline matters more than “more documents”. Contradictions, gaps, and unexplained periods cause delays and refusals.

Sponsor requirements (don’t treat this as a formality)

Your partner’s sponsorship is a key part of the application. The sponsor must be eligible and may be required to provide documents and meet character-related requirements. Delays often occur when sponsor documentation is incomplete or submitted late.

How the onshore 820/801 process works (step-by-step)

Step 1: Lodge the combined application

Most applicants lodge online and provide core evidence at the time of application or shortly after. The more “decision-ready” your file is at lodgement, the smoother the assessment tends to be.

Step 2: Temporary stage assessment (820)

The department assesses:

• whether the relationship meets the requirements

• whether identity, health and character requirements are satisfied

• whether sponsor requirements are met

If granted, the 820 visa allows you to remain in Australia while the permanent stage is considered.

Step 3: Stage 2 — permanent assessment (801)

The permanent stage is not automatic. You must complete Stage 2 when you become eligible, providing updated evidence that your relationship is still genuine and continuing.

Processing times: how to think about them in practice

There is no single fixed timeframe. Processing varies depending on:

• completeness and clarity of evidence

• complexity (previous visa refusals, long separations, limited cohabitation)

• character issues (for applicant or sponsor)

• medical or identity complications

• department workload and prioritisation settings

What you can control is the quality of your application: clear evidence, clean timelines, and consistent declarations.

Common refusal and delay triggers (what to fix before lodgement)

1. Inconsistencies across forms, dates, addresses, and documents

2. Weak de facto evidence (especially financial + household proof)

3. Overreliance on photos and chats without objective documents

4. Gaps in cohabitation with no explanation and evidence

5. Sponsor documentation delays

6. Stage 2 neglected or left too late

FAQs (high-intent SEO section)

Do I need to live together for a de facto partner visa?

In most cases, cohabitation is a key part of proving a genuine de facto relationship. Where living together has not been possible, the reasons must be credible and supported by evidence.

Is the 801 permanent visa guaranteed after the 820 is granted?

No. The permanent stage is assessed separately at Stage 2. You must show the relationship remains genuine and continuing and meet ongoing requirements.

Can a complex relationship still succeed (distance, cultural factors, prior marriage)?

Yes, but it needs stronger evidence planning. Complex facts are not fatal—unclear or inconsistent evidence is.

Why clients choose Migration Vision for Partner visas

Migration Vision prepares partner visa applications as structured, evidence-mapped files—not just forms with attachments. Our focus is:

• building a clean timeline that matches every document

• mapping evidence to the four pillars so nothing critical is missing

• identifying weak points early and strengthening them with objective proof

• planning ahead for Stage 2 so the permanent assessment is smooth