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

From 2022-2023, Australian Partner visas will be granted on a demand driven basis to facilitate family reunification. There are 40.500 visas for 2022-2023. If you and your partner wish to apply for a succesful visa application soon, you should know all the following information listed below.
Table of Contents
What is a Partner visa-Subclass 820/801?
The difference between subclass 820 and 801?
The benefits of having a 820/801 visa
The requirements of a Subclass 820/801 visa
The cost of a Partner visa – Subclass 820/801
Processing times of a Partner visa – Subclass 820/801
Step by step of a Partner visa – Subclass 820/801
What documents and papers are required when it comes to a Partner visa – Subclass 820/801
Common reasons for a Subclass 820/801 visa rejection
- If I’m granted a Subclass 820/801 visa, how long can I stay in Australia?
- Can I sponsor another family member while applying for this visa? If yes, what requirements does this person need to fulfil?
- Can I change my sponsor when applying for a Subclass 820 visa?
- Can I apply for a Subclass 820/801 visa while in Australia on a Subclass 600 visa?
What is a Partner visa – Subclass 820/801?
It’s commonly known as a Partner visa that you apply during your temporary stay in Australia.
It allows an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen living in Australia temporarily to sponsor his/her spouse to come live in Australia permanently.

The difference between subclass 820 and 801?
A partner visa – subclass 820
It’s a temporary visa. To apply for this visa, the relationship between two people must be at least 1 year (if the couple do not officially register for their relationship).
This visa allows you to live in Australia temporarily until you get a permanent residency visa – Subclass 801.
After the visa being granted for 2 years since the time of application lodgement, you are eligible to apply for the PR Subclass 801 visa.
A partner visa – subclass 801
To apply for this visa, you must hold a temporary Partner Visa – Subclass 820. A Partner Visa – Subclass 801 allows you to live in Australia permanently.
The benefits of having a 820/801 visa
Each Subclass has different benefits:
Subclass 820 visa
Residence benefits |
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Free entries benefits | Travel in and out of Australia as many times as you want |
Education benefits | Attend free English language classes that are provided by the Adult Migrant English Program up to 510 hours |
Social security benefits | Receive an Australian’s medicare (covering most health services with no costs) and other social security programs |
Sponsor family member benefits | Include dependent children (must be in Australia) if they meet all the DHA requirements |
These benefits are extremely precious. That’s why so many people want to obtain this visa.
The Subclass 820 visa requires people to be in Australia in order to apply. Therefore, VEM is a great companion for you.

Beside one office located in Vietnam, VEM’s main headquarter is in Australia. So, no matter if you’re applying for a Subclass 300 visa in Vietnam or you’re beginning to apply for a Subclass 820/801 in Australia, VEM can still fully support you.
Moreover, Mr Phong Cao (CEO of VEM) is currently living and working in Australia. That’s why he can provide you with some advice and support directly if you’re also living in the ‘Land of Kangaroo’.
All you need to do is contact us to schedule an appointment that suits you.
Subclass 801 visa
After 2 years of a Subclass 820 visa being granted, you’ll be eligible for a Subclass 801 visa application. With this visa, you’ll receive all the benefits listed in the Subclass 820 as well as some other perks.
- Become a permanent resident in Australia
- Apply for an Australian citizenship
- Sponsor your family members to Australia
The requirements of a Subclass 820/801 visa
For the applicant |
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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
Depending on different cases, the cost of a Partner visa will vary. However, the estimated cost for most cases would be:
Types of charges and fees | The amount of money (AUD) |
For the visa applicant |
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For the accompany member |
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Others: health, criminal record, biometrics | Approximately AUD300 per person |
Note: The fees listed above do not include a 1.4% surcharge.
Starting from 07/2021, the estimated cost of a Subclass 820/801 visa is set to be increased by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. Besides, the cost for this visa fluctuates every time the Australian Government updates their immigration policy.
You should contact VEM for the latest update on the Subclass 820/801 visa cost.
Processing times of a Partner visa – Subclass 820/801
Your visa processing times will depend greatly on the accuracy of your documents and papers. Specifically,
Subclass 820 (Temporary) | Subclass 801 (Permanent) | |
75% of applications are processed within | 21 months | 12 months |
90% of applications are processed within | 33 months | 21 months |
Time is money. That’s why you and your spouse shouldn’t wait another second to apply for a Subclass 820/801 visa now. That’s why you should reach out to VEM.
With our assistance, your 820 visa application and other related things will be attentively taken care of. Hence, you and your partner will have a lot more time for each other before applying for a permanent Subclass 801 visa.
Step by step of a Partner visa – Subclass 820/801
- Step 1: Check your applications to see if you meet all requirements.
- Step 2: Apply for a Subclass 820 visa and a Subclass 801 visa.
- Step 3: A Partner Visa – Subclass 820 is granted to you.
- Step 4: Preparing your documents to continue applying for a Subclass 801 visa.
- Step 5: A Permanent Partner Visa – Subclass 801 is granted to you.

What documents and papers are required when it comes to a Partner visa – Subclass 820/801
Types of documents | |
Identification papers |
|
Proofs of financial commitment between you and your partner | Satisfy the financial requirements such as: using a joint bank account, regularly transferring money or sending gifts to each other, etc. |
Proofs of relationship between you and your partner |
|
Proofs of social commitment between you and your partner | Proofs that your relationship has been made public to your families and friends (photos with friends, hanging out with families, etc) |
Proofs of long-term commitment between you and your partner | Discussion about the future such as: having kids, working plans, etc |
Application forms | VEM will provide these forms and instruct you |
Common reasons for a Subclass 820/801 visa rejection
Knowing these mistakes would reduce the risk of your Subclass 820/801 visa being rejected. In most cases, the application for a Partner visa is refused due to:
Documents inaccuracy |
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Inaccurate relationship proofs |
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Interview |
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With more than 11 years of experience of working in Australian migration services, VEM has helped so many couples successfully become Australian permanent residents with a Partner visa – subclass 820/801.
Thus, with the ongoing changes happening right now, you should let VEM assist you in your migration pathways.
Being a member of the MIA (Migration Institute of Australia), Mr Phong Cao always updates the latest information for the clients so as to make sure the documents are complete, accurate and legal.
Frequently asked questions
When applying for a 820 visa, you must attach applications for a 801 visa. Therefore, when your 820 visa is approved, you’re allowed to stay in Australia until you receive a 801 visa.
Yes. If you want to sponsor your children, your children need to be:
- Under 18 years old
- If your kids are between the age of 18 to 23, they must still be dependent on you.
The answer is no. The Australian Law stated that the person who sponsors when you first apply for an 820 visa must be the same person to sponsor you while you’re having an 820 visa.
It is around 13 – 21 months depending on your applications. Contact us to get more useful information about the whole process for a Subclass 801 visa.
It is possible for you to do so if on your visa there is no condition “8503 – No further stay” and you meet the eligible criterias.
Find out more about other Australian visa: