Subclass 820/801 – One step closer to Australian permanent residence

In 2023-2024, the Australian Government expects to provide 40.500 Partner visas. In the previous financial year, they prioritised processing the subclass 820 visa. In order to be granted the visa in the earliest possible time, you should be well-prepared. Keep reading for more details.
Table of Contents
What is a Partner visa – subclass 820/801?
The benefits of holding a 820/801 visa
The requirements for subclass 820/801 visa
The cost of a Partner visa – Subclass 820/801
Processing times of a Partner visa – Subclass 820/801
Steps to apply for a Partner visa – Subclass 820/801
Required documents for a Partner visa – Subclass 820/801
Common reasons for a Subclass 820/801 visa being refused
- If I’m granted a Subclass 820/801 visa, how long can I stay in Australia?
- Can I bring my children to come to Australia with me by including them in the Subclass 820 visa application? Are there any requirements?
- Can I change my sponsor when applying for a Subclass 820 visa?
- Can I apply for an 820/801 visa while in Australia with a Visitor visa (Subclass 600)? Do I need to apply for a bridging visa?
What is a Partner visa – Subclass 820/801?
The Partner Subclass 820/801 visa allows an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to sponsor their partner/spouse to live in Australia with them.
You are required to submit applications for both subclass 820 (temporary) visa and subclass 801 (permanent) visa at the same time.

A partner visa – subclass 820
A Partner (Temporary) visa 820, allows the partner/spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia temporarily while waiting for the grant of a PR Partner visa – Subclass 801.
Basically, your relationship must be genuine and developing for at least 12 months before making the application, and the applicant must be in Australia at the time of applying for the visa.
A partner visa – subclass 801
A Partner (Permanent) visa – Subclass 801, is the second stage of the Onshore Partner visa. It allows the applicant to live in Australia permanently.
The benefits of holding a 820/801 visa
Subclass 820 visa
Holding a Subclass 820 visa, you are entitled to the following:
Residency | Stay, work and study in Australia while waiting for Subclass 801 visa approval. |
Multiple entries | Travel to and from Australia as many times as you want. |
Education | Attend a free Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP). |
Social aspect | Access to Medicare – Australia’s public health care scheme. |
Family members | Allow your eligible family members to come to Australia with you. |
You are required to be in Australia at the time of making the application. VEM is your companion that can support you from the beginning of your immigration pathway.

VEM’s headquarter is located in Australia. Contact us for further advice and assistance!
Subclass 801 visa
After 2 years of making an application for a Australia 820 visa, you can apply for a Subclass 801 visa. With this partner (Permanent) visa, you can:
- Stay in Australia permanently.
- Apply for Australian citizenship.
- Sponsor your eligible family members to come to Australia with you.

The requirements for subclass 820/801 visa
For the applicant |
|
For the sponsor | Must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen |
For both |
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The cost of a Partner visa – Subclass 820/801
From July 1st, 2023, the 820/801 visa fee has officially increased by 6%.
Types of charges and fees | Fee (in AUD) |
For the visa applicant |
|
For the accompany member | For most applicants:
For Subclass 300 visa holders:
|
Health, police checks, and biometrics fees | Approximately 300 per person |
Note: The fees listed above do not include a 1.4% surcharge.
Visa application charges may increase every year after the Australian Government updates the immigration policy. It’s always best to apply for a visa within the financial year.
Processing times of a Partner visa – Subclass 820/801
According to DHA, below is the partner visa 820 processing time:
Subclass 820 (Temporary) | Subclass 801 (Permanent) | |
75% of applications are processed within | 6 months | 14 months |
90% of applications are processed within | 9 months | 15 months |
Preparation of your application properly can make a positive outcome with shorter processing time of your visa application. Contact VEM for assistance.
If you are holding a Prospective Marriage visa (Subclass 300), you have to apply for a 820 visa before the 300 visa expires.
Contact VEM to be well-prepared for your visa application. Our consultant – Mr. Peter Cao, a registered migration agent (MARN: 1577877), will assist you for the whole process of your application.
VEM continues assisting you with the Subclass 801 visa process after your Partner visa 820 is granted.
Steps to apply for a partner visa – Subclass 820/801
- Step 1: Check whether you meet requirements of the partner visa 820/801.
- Step 2: Prepare the documents and apply for the visa.
- Step 3: The DHA grants the 820 visa.
- Step 4: Provide additional documents after 2 years since making the 820 visa application.
- Step 5: The DHA grants the subclass 801 visa.
Applicants may encounter difficulties during the process of applying for a 820/801 visa because it requires detailed and accurate information.
The Australian Government recommends you to choose a reliable migration agent when you need assistance with your visa.
Mr. Peter Cao (CEO of VEM), a member of the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA: 12648), has always been among the first people to get updates on Australian immigration changes. VEM’s clients, therefore, are always well-informed and advised.

Required documents for a Partner visa – Subclass 820/801
Types of documents | |
Identification papers |
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Financial aspect | Proofs showing financial sharing: bank accounts, credit cards, bills, etc. |
Domestic aspect |
|
Social aspect | Proofs show that your relationship is known by others |
Long-term commitment aspect |
|
Application forms | Online application forms via ImmiAccount. Contact VEM for assistance. |
Common reasons for a subclass 820/801 visa being refused
Documents inaccuracy |
|
Inaccurate relationship proofs | Lacking evidence including:
|
Interview |
|
With more than 12 years of experience working in the Australian migration field, VEM has helped many couples successfully become Australian permanent residents with the partner visa 820/801.
Being registered for practice (MARN: 1577877) and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA: 12648), Mr. Peter Cao always ensures your visa application is accurate and legal.
Frequently asked questions
You can stay in Australia temporarily until being granted the Subclass 801 visa.
Yes. If you want to bring your children with you, he/she must be:
- Under 18 years of age
- Be dependent on you if he/she is 18 to 23 years of age
No. The DHA just allows you to have 1 sponsor during the time of making your 820 visa application or you have to restart a new application if you have another sponsor.
After 2 years since making the application for the Subclass 820 visa, you can apply for the Subclass 801 visa.
While you are in Australia with a Visitor visa (Subclass 600), you can apply for a Partner visa (Subclass 820/801) if your 600 visa does not include Condition 8503 (“no further stay”).
Many people miss the opportunity for applying as they do not understand Condition 8503. Therefore, it’s best to contact VEM to know whether you can apply for a 820 visa while holding a 600 visa.
The DHA only allows 2 sponsorships with a Partner visa. And these two times must be 5 years apart from the time of applying for a visa.
In the second sponsorship application, you are required to provide evidence that your previous relationship has completely ended.
Find out more about other Australian visa:
- Subclass 309 visa – Can you earn a spot in the Partner visa approval list in 2023?
- VEM provides you general information about Australian Family Visas
- Subclass 445 visa – How can your children soon reunite with your family in Australia
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With 12 years of experience and an understanding of Australian migration law and culture, we always try our best to support clients. Mr. Peter Cao, a registered migration agent (MARN: 1577877), also a member of the Migration Institute of Australia, is always among the first people to get updates on Australian immigration changes so you are always well informed. Contact VEM for further assistance!