Partner visa (onshore)
Allows the de facto partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia temporarily and progress toward permanent residency.
Overview
Stay period
Temporary until the permanent Partner visa subclass 801 is finalised or withdrawn
Cost
From AUD 9,365 for most applicants; from AUD 1,560 for Prospective Marriage visa subclass 300 holders
Work rights
Live, work and study in Australia while the permanent Partner visa is processed
Last checked
26 April 2026
Key requirements
- •Be in a genuine relationship with a spouse or de facto partner who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- •Have the spouse or de facto partner sponsor the applicant
- •Be in Australia when applying for the temporary Partner visa subclass 820
- •Family members who apply with the applicant must also be in Australia
- •Be in or outside Australia when the temporary visa application is decided
- •Be 18 or older in most cases
- •Meet spouse or de facto relationship requirements
- •Meet health requirements
- •Meet character requirements
- •Have no debt to the Australian Government or have arranged repayment
- •Sign the Australian Values Statement if required
Documents required
- •Passport and identity documents
- •Birth certificate showing names of both parents, or accepted alternative identity document
- •National identity card if available
- •Proof of change of name if applicable
- •Relationship history statement
- •Marriage certificate or evidence marriage is valid in Australia if married
- •De facto relationship evidence if applicable
- •Evidence of at least 12 months de facto relationship unless an exemption applies
- •Financial relationship evidence such as joint mortgage, lease, loans, bank accounts, or household bills
- •Household evidence such as living arrangements, shared responsibilities, mail or emails addressed to both partners
- •Social evidence such as joint invitations, travel together, friends in common, or Form 888 witness statements
- •Commitment evidence showing long-term commitment, personal knowledge, contact while apart, and combined personal matters
- •Evidence of former relationships if applicable
- •Health examination evidence if requested
- •Australian police certificate if required
- •Overseas police certificates if required
- •Military service records if applicable
- •Sponsor evidence showing Australian citizenship, permanent residence, or eligible New Zealand citizen status
- •Sponsorship for a Partner to Migrate to Australia form completed by sponsor
- •Dependent child documents if applicable
- •Parental responsibility documents for applicants under 18 if applicable
- •Translations for non-English documents
Application steps
- 1Prepare relationship, identity, sponsorship, health, character and family documents
- 2Apply online in ImmiAccount while in Australia
- 3Select Family and Stage 1 Partner or Prospective Marriage Visa
- 4Complete the application and pay the visa application charge
- 5Submit the application
- 6Give the Transaction Reference Number or Application ID to the sponsor
- 7Sponsor applies to sponsor the applicant using ImmiAccount
- 8Attach supporting documents to the completed application
- 9Complete health examinations if required
- 10Provide character documents and police certificates if required
- 11Respond to requests for more information if requested
- 12Stay lawful in Australia while the application is processed
- 13Wait for written decision on the subclass 820 temporary visa
- 14After the relevant period, provide additional documents for permanent Partner visa subclass 801 assessment
Visa conditions
- •Live, work and study in Australia
- •Travel to and from Australia while the visa is held
- •Obey Australian laws and visa conditions
- •Use VEVO to check visa details and conditions
- •Do not get another visa if it would affect eligibility for the permanent Partner visa subclass 801
- •You cannot add family members to the subclass 820 application after the temporary visa is granted
- •Notify the Department if circumstances change, including relationship status, contact details, passport details, or birth of a child
Risk flags
- !Relationship breakdown may affect the temporary or permanent partner visa outcome
- !Insufficient relationship evidence may delay or affect the application
- !Missing sponsorship information may make an application invalid in some circumstances
- !If the applicant does not hold a substantive visa, additional criteria may apply
- !Certain previous visa refusals or cancellations may affect eligibility
- !Certain regional visa holders may need to have held that visa for two or three years before applying
- !A no further stay condition may prevent application unless waived
- !Sponsor must be approved
- !If an immigration officer grants a New Zealand passport holder a subclass 444 visa, it may override the temporary Partner visa and affect subclass 801 eligibility
- !If another visa is granted, the applicant may no longer be eligible for the permanent Partner visa subclass 801
- !Incorrect or incomplete information may lead to delays, invalidity or refusal
English language requirements
Notes
- •The provided source text does not specify a formal English test requirement for the primary subclass 820 applicant.
Financial requirements
Notes
- •The provided source text does not specify a personal income threshold for the applicant.
- •The applicant must pay the correct visa application charge.
- •Additional costs may include health checks, police certificates and biometrics.
- •The sponsor must assist the applicant and included family members financially and with accommodation.
Status
no income threshold in source text
Relationship requirements
Spouse
Requirement
Must be in a married relationship and the marriage must be valid in Australia.
Minimum Age Note
Married applicants must, in most cases, be 18 or older when applying.
Summary
The applicant must be the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
De Facto
Notes
- •
Time spent dating or in an online relationship might not count as being in a de facto relationship.
- •
The 12-month requirement may not apply where compelling and compassionate circumstances exist.
- •
The 12-month requirement may not apply in certain humanitarian visa circumstances.
- •
The 12-month requirement may not apply if the relationship is registered with an Australian State or Territory authority.
Requirement
Must be in a de facto relationship.
Usual Minimum Duration
Usually at least 12 months immediately before applying.
Evidence Categories
Social
- •
Form 888 witness statements from people who know the relationship
- •
Joint invitations or evidence of going out together
- •
Proof of friends in common
- •
Proof of informing government, public or commercial bodies about the relationship
- •
Proof of joint sporting, cultural or social activities
- •
Proof of travel together
Financial
- •
Joint mortgage or lease documents
- •
Joint loans for major assets
- •
Joint bank account statements
- •
Household bills in both names
Household
- •
Statement about how housework is shared
- •
Household bills in both names
- •
Mail or emails addressed to both partners
- •
Documents showing joint responsibility for children
- •
Documents proving living arrangements
Commitment
- •
Knowledge of each other's background and family situation
- •
Combined personal matters
- •
Evidence of staying in touch while apart
- •
Evidence partners are not related by family
- •
Terms of wills if available
Relationship History Statement Should Cover
- •
How, when and where the couple first met
- •
How the relationship developed
- •
When the couple moved in together, got engaged or married
- •
What the couple does together
- •
Time spent apart
- •
Significant events in the relationship
- •
Plans for the future
Pathway
Stage 1
Subclass: 820
Type: temporary
Allows the applicant to live in Australia temporarily while the permanent Partner visa is processed.
→
Stage 2
Subclass: 801
Type: permanent
Allows the applicant to live in Australia permanently after permanent stage assessment.
Subclass 820 is the temporary stage and subclass 801 is the permanent stage of the onshore Partner visa pathway.
Permanent stage assessment generally starts from the date of eligibility, usually 2 years after applying for the temporary and permanent Partner visas.
Permanent stage 801
Cost
Paid when applying for the temporary and permanent Partner visas
Risks
- •
Permanent stage generally cannot be assessed until 2 years after initial partner visa application
- •
Relationship breakdown may affect the permanent visa outcome, though some exceptions may apply
- •
Domestic and family violence provisions may be relevant in some circumstances
- •
Incomplete documents may delay processing
- •
Incorrect information may affect the application
- •
Expired police certificates may need to be replaced
- •
If permanent Partner visa is refused, the person may no longer hold a temporary Partner visa
Stage
permanent
Subclass
801
Visa Name
Partner visa (Permanent)
Stay Period
Permanently
Family Members
Cannot Add After Grant
Family members cannot be added after the permanent Partner visa subclass 801 is granted.
Dependent Child 445 Pathway
To include a dependent child in the permanent Partner visa application after subclass 820 grant, the child must usually hold a Dependent Child visa subclass 445 and be in Australia.
Visa Conditions
- •
Permanent residency
- •
Must obey Australian laws
- •
Travel facility valid for 5 years from grant date
- •
Resident Return visa may be needed to re-enter Australia as permanent resident after travel facility expires
- •
Cannot add family members after the permanent Partner visa is granted
Key Requirements
- •
Hold a temporary Partner visa subclass 820 or Dependent Child visa subclass 445
- •
In most cases, continue to be in a genuine and ongoing relationship with the sponsor
- •
Two years must usually have passed since applying for the subclass 820 and 801 visas
- •
Continue to meet health requirements
- •
Have no debt to the Australian Government or have arranged repayment
- •
Visa grant must be in the best interests of any applicant under 18
Application Steps
- •
Check current visa status using VEVO
- •
Wait until eligible for permanent stage assessment, generally 2 years after applying for the temporary and permanent Partner visas
- •
Gather updated identity, character and relationship evidence
- •
Log in to ImmiAccount
- •
Select New application
- •
Select Family
- •
Select Stage 2 - Permanent Partner Visa Assessment
- •
Complete the application
- •
Attach supporting documents
- •
Submit documents for permanent stage assessment
- •
Track and manage the application in ImmiAccount
- •
Respond to requests for more information if requested
- •
Wait for written decision
Documents Required
- •
Most recent passport identity pages
- •
Current Australian police certificate if required
- •
Overseas police certificates if required
- •
Evidence that the relationship with the sponsor is continuing
- •
Commonwealth statutory declaration completed by sponsor
- •
Marriage certificate if married
- •
Proof of de facto relationship if applicable
- •
Financial evidence
- •
Household evidence
- •
Social evidence
- •
Commitment evidence
- •
Form 888 witness statements
- •
Family member documents if applicable
- •
Translated documents for non-English documents
Rights And Benefits
- •
Live, work and study in Australia permanently
- •
Access Medicare
- •
Sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia
- •
Travel to and from Australia for 5 years from grant date
- •
Apply for Australian citizenship if eligible
- •
Attend free English language classes through the Adult Migrant English Program if eligible
Processing Time Note
Processing time starts from the date of eligibility, generally 2 years after applying for the temporary and permanent Partner visas.
Relationship Evidence
Summary
Applicant must provide evidence they continue to be the spouse or de facto partner of the same person who sponsored the temporary Partner visa.
Evidence Categories
Social
- •
Form 888 witness statements
- •
Joint invitations
- •
Proof of friends in common
- •
Proof of informing government, public or commercial bodies about the relationship
- •
Proof of joint sporting, cultural or social activities
- •
Proof of travel together
Financial
- •
Joint mortgage or lease documents
- •
Joint loans for major assets
- •
Joint bank account statements
- •
Household bills in both names
Household
- •
Statement about how housework is shared
- •
Household bills in both names
- •
Mail or emails addressed to both partners
- •
Documents showing joint responsibility for children
- •
Documents proving living arrangements
Commitment
- •
Knowledge of each other's background and family situation
- •
Combined personal matters
- •
Evidence of staying in touch while apart
- •
Evidence partners are not related by family
- •
Terms of wills if available
Sponsor Statutory Declaration Should Cover
- •
Whether the couple has mutual commitment to the exclusion of all others
- •
Whether the relationship is genuine and continuing
- •
Whether the couple lives together or does not live permanently apart
- •
When the relationship began and how long the couple has lived together
- •
Financial commitments shared by the couple
- •
Nature of the household including joint responsibility for children
- •
Social aspects of the relationship
- •
Nature of commitment to each other
- •
Plans for the future
Sponsor requirements
Summary
The sponsor is usually the applicant's partner and must be approved.
Sponsor Age
Sponsor must be 18 or older. If under 18 and married to the applicant, a parent or guardian might be able to sponsor.
Sponsor Risks
- •
Sponsorship may not be approved if character requirements are not met
- •
There are sponsorship limitations for certain offences involving children
- •
Sponsor can withdraw sponsorship before the permanent Partner visa subclass 801 decision
- •
Sponsor cannot withdraw as sponsor for subclass 820 after the visa is granted
Who Can Sponsor
- •
Australian citizen
- •
Australian permanent resident
- •
Eligible New Zealand citizen
Sponsor Documents
- •
Evidence of Australian citizenship, Australian permanent residence, or eligible New Zealand citizenship
- •
Passport copy
- •
Birth certificate copy
- •
Photo of face
- •
Evidence of usually living in Australia if Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
- •
Australian police certificate
- •
Overseas police certificate if required
- •
Written consent for disclosure of relevant convictions to the visa applicant
Sponsor Obligations
- •
Sponsor the partner and included family members
- •
Assist the partner and included family members financially
- •
Assist the partner and included family members with accommodation
Sponsorship Duration
Sponsorship generally ends 2 years after the temporary partner visa is granted if applicants are in Australia at grant, or 2 years after next arrival in Australia if applicants are outside Australia at grant.
Sponsor 801 requirements
Summary
The sponsor must be the same person who sponsored the applicant for the temporary Partner visa and must continue to be married or in a de facto relationship with the applicant.
Obligations
- •
Sponsor the partner and included family members
- •
Assist financially and with accommodation
- •
Tell the Department if circumstances change
Withdrawal Note
Sponsor cannot withdraw after the visa is granted, but may be able to withdraw sponsorship before the permanent Partner visa decision.
Documents Required
- •
Personal details page of most recent passport showing signature or Australian driver licence
- •
Completed Commonwealth statutory declaration about the relationship
Family members
Notes
- •
A dependent child can be included when lodging or after lodging but before the temporary visa is decided.
- •
Family members applying with the applicant must be in Australia.
- •
Family members must meet health and character requirements.
- •
After subclass 820 grant, family members cannot be added to the subclass 820 application.
- •
A dependent child may need to apply for a Dependent child visa subclass 445 before being included in the permanent partner visa application.
Can Include Dependent Child
Yes
Domestic and family violence
Notes
- •
If experiencing domestic and family violence, the applicant may still be eligible for temporary and permanent Partner visas.
- •
The source recommends online safety steps such as changing ImmiAccount and email passwords.
Summary
The source notes that family violence provisions may apply and information is confidential.
FAQ summary
Withdrawal
Applicants can withdraw online using ImmiAccount; adult applicants included in the withdrawal must consent.
Health Exams
Health examinations can be completed after applying and are usually valid for 12 months.
Review Rights
If refusal is reviewable, the notification will explain how to apply for review.
Progress Updates
The Department does not provide progress updates within standard processing times; applicants can check ImmiAccount.
Urgent Processing
Priority processing may be considered for compelling and compassionate circumstances, but there is no guarantee.
Online Application
Applications must generally be lodged online using ImmiAccount. Paper applications are only available in limited circumstances and by invitation.
Permanent Stage Documents
If two years have passed since first applying and the applicant holds subclass 820, they may complete Stage 2 Permanent Partner Visa Assessment in ImmiAccount.
Source snapshots
This page provides general information only. It does not provide migration advice or legal advice. For personalised advice, speak with a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner.