The Spouse/Partner visa (subclasses 820 and 801) allow the PARTNER or SPOUSE of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia.

The temporary Partner visa (subclass 820) is granted first and lets you stay in Australia while a decision is made on the permanent Partner visa (subclass 801).

Location: You must be in Australia when you lodge your application and when a decision is made on the temporary Partner visa (subclass 820).

You can be in or outside Australia when a decision is made on the permanent Partner visa (subclass 801).

Cost: AUD 7,715

ELIGIBILITY for 820

• You must be married or in a de facto relationship with:
  • an Australian citizen
  • an Australian permanent resident
  • an eligible New Zealand citizen.

  *You might still be eligible if your relationship breaks down after you lodge your application.

• Your marriage must be valid under Australian law. This means you must have parental permission if you are 16 or 17 years of age.
• You must have been in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months.
• If you are married, usually you must be 18 or older when you apply.
• You must have a sponsor, who will be your partner, except if your partner is under 18 years of age.
• You must meet the Australian health and character requirements
• You must have repaid, or have arranged to repay, any outstanding debts to the Australian government.

Visa process 820

What you can do with the 820 Visa

• Stay in Australia a decision is made on your permanent Partner (Migrant) visa (subclass 801) or that application is withdrawn
• work in Australia
• study in Australia (you will not receive government support)
• travel to and from Australia as many times as you want
• attend up to 510 hours of free English language classes provided by the Adult Migrant English Program
• Enrol in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare

How long you can stay on the 820

You can stay in Australia until a decision is made on your permanent partner (801) visa.

For most applicants, this stay is from 15 to 24 months.

Partner Visa (Permanent) – Subclass 801

This visa allows the de facto partner or spouse of an Australian Citizen, Australian Permanent Resident or Eligible New Zealand Citizen to live in Australia permanently.

Stay: Permanently

Eligibility criteria for permanent Partner visa (subclass 801)

• hold a temporary Partner visa (subclass 820)
• continue to be in the spouse or de facto partner relationship unless your relationship has ended and there are special circumstances
• have complied with all Australian laws whilst on your temporary visa.
• You may be asked to provide additional documentation to process this visa, 2 years after you first submitted your temporary partner visa.

Cost: You paid for this visa when you made your combined application for the temporary and permanent partner visas.

Processing times: 75% of applications: 22 months | 90% of applications: 26 months

Visa Process 801

What can I do on this visa?

• stay in Australia indefinitely
• work in Australia
• study in Australia
• enrol in Australia's public healthcare scheme, Medicare
• sponsor your family members to come to Australia
• travel to and from Australia for 5 years
• if eligible, attend free English language classes provided by the Adult Migrant English Program
• if eligible, apply for Australian citizenship