Partner Visa Subclass 820: Eligibility, Cost, and Processing Time

 Applying for a partner visa subclass 820  is a crucial step for couples who want to reside together in Australia while building a secure future. This visa gives visa holders valuable rights and security and allows them to remain in Australia while the government assesses their permanent residency application. A clear understanding of how this subclass works, what it costs and how long it might take can help applicants to plan beforehand. Here is a guide that will help you to know more about this visa:

What Is the Partner Visa Subclass 820?

The partner visa subclass 820 permits the de facto partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to temporarily reside in Australia. This visa is the first step towards the permanent partner visa 801.

With this visa, you may be able to do the following:

• Live, study and work in Australia while your permanent partner 801 visa is being processed. 
• Travel to and from Australia as many times as you wish. 
• If found eligible, attend free English language classes provided by the Adult Migrant English Program. 
• Apply to access Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare scheme.

The 820 801 partner visa pathway allows applicants to transition from temporary residence to permanent residency after they have met the required conditions.

Who Can Apply for a Partner Visa Subclass 820?

You can apply for the partner subclass 820 when you successfully satisfy the following:

• Be in a genuine relationship with your spouse or de facto partner, who has to be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. 
• Your spouse or de facto partner has to sponsor you.

• If an applicant is outside of Australia at the time of their temporary visa application, all accompanying family members must remain in Australia during this period.

• DHA will decide on the temporary visa application while all applicants are either in (or outside of) Australia.

You can also seek advice from a migration agent Perth to assess your eligibility before lodging your application.

Eligibility Requirements for a Subclass 820 Partner visa

Here are the requirements you have to fulfil to be eligible for this visa:

• Visa history and refusals: You will not be eligible for a partner visa 820 if you do not have a substantive visa and have previously had a visa cancelled or an application refused. 
• Not hold some regional visas: You may not be eligible if you hold, or last held, certain regional visas unless minimum holding periods are met. 
• Location: You must be physically present in Australia when you lodge your visa application. 
• Have a sponsor: You and anyone who applies for the visa with you must have a sponsor, usually your partner, while applying and while you are on this visa. The DHA must approve this sponsor. 
• Prospective marriage visa holders and former holders: You will still be eligible for the visa in case your relationship ends, or your partner dies before you apply for this visa. 
• Age Requirement: Married applicants have to be 18 or older when they apply. 
• Holding a substantive visa: In case you do not hold a substantive visa at the time you apply for this visa, and you did not hold a Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa, you must explain that there are reasons that exist for the grant of a Partner visa. 
• Relationship requirements: You must be the spouse or de facto partner of your sponsor, who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. 
• Health and character requirements: You have to successfully meet the health and character requirements specified by the DHA. 
• No debt to the Australian government: You or your family members must not owe the Australian government any money or have it paid back before you apply for the visa. 
• Australian values statement: You and your family members above the age of 18 must sign the Australian Values Statement that confirms you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws. 
• Best interests of a child: This visa might not be granted if it is not in the best interests of an applicant under 18.

Before you proceed, consider consulting a visa agent Perth so that you can understand how these conditions apply to your individual circumstances.

Also Read: Skilled Nominated Visa Subclass 190: Eligibility & Application Process

Benefits of Holding a Partner Visa Subclass 820

A holder of a partner visa Australia subclass 820 can enjoy the following benefits:

• Lawful stay in Australia: The partner subclass 820 allows you to stay lawfully in Australia while your permanent partner visa is being assessed. 
• Unrestricted work rights: You can work in any occupation without limitations, with protection under Australian workplace laws. 
• Study opportunities: You can study or undertake training in Australia, giving you access to options for personal and professional development. 
• Medicare access: The partner visa 820 gives you access to Medicare, enabling you to receive healthcare services during your stay. 
• Travel flexibility: You can travel in and out of Australia freely as a visa holder. 
• Pathway to permanent residency: The subclass 820 visa also gives you a clear pathway to the permanent partner visa, offering long-term security. 
• Emotional and lifestyle stability: This visa allows couples to live together without uncertainty, enabling them to lead a settled and continuous life in Australia.

Partner visa 820 Document checklist

Here is a partner visa 820 checklist you can go through:

1. Identity documents

• Birth certificate showing the names of both parents

If you do not have your Birth Certificate, you need to submit one of the following documents:

• Family book showing parents’ names
• Government-issued identity document
• Court-issued identity document
• Family census register
• Current passport pages showing photo, personal details, and issue and expiry dates
• National identity card, if applicable
• If relevant, provide evidence of your name change, for instance:
• Marriage or divorce certificate
• Change of name documents from an Australian or overseas authority
• Provide documentation showing any other names you have previously held.

2. Relationship evidence

• Written relationship history outlining how the relationship began, developed, key milestones, time spent apart, and plans
• Marriage certificate, if married
• Evidence of a de facto relationship, if applicable
• You must demonstrate that you and your partner have been living together in a De Facto relationship for at least 12 months, unless one of the exceptions apply.
• Relationship registration certificate or written explanation of compassionate circumstances, if relevant.

3. Financial aspects of the relationship

• Joint mortgage or lease documents
• Joint loan documents for major assets
• Joint bank account statements
• Household bills in both names

4. Household evidence

• Statement explaining shared domestic responsibilities
• Documents showing shared living arrangements
• Mail or correspondence addressed jointly
• Evidence of joint responsibility for children, if applicable

5. Social aspects of the relationship

• Two Form 888 witness statements
• Evidence of witnesses’ citizenship or residency status
• Joint invitations, travel records, or shared social activities

6. Commitment evidence

• Proof of long-term commitment and mutual knowledge

• Provide evidence of how you and your partner communicated

• Wills or other documents showing long-term intentions

7. Former relationship documents

Divorce certificates, separation documents, death certificates or statutory declarations

8. Dependent children under 18

• Identity documents
• Proof of relationship
• Health and character documents, if required
• Consent Form 1229 and parental responsibility documents, if applicable

9. Prospective Marriage visa holders

Evidence for eligible family members holding or previously holding a partner visa subclass 300.

10. Dependent children over 18

• Identity documents
• Proof of dependency
• Health and character documents
• Completed Form 47a

A visa consultant Perth can also help you organise these documents correctly before submission to reduce the likelihood of delays or requests for further information.

820 Partner Visa Processing Time and Cost

Here is a table that will offer you more clarity on the partner visa 820 processing time:

The costs of this visa are:

• Starts from AUD 9,365.00 for most applicants. 
• Starts from AUD 1,560.00 for Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) holders.

Applicants who are considering an offshore pathway, such as the partner visa subclass 309, should note that overall expenses might vary depending on individual circumstances and documentation requirements.

Also Read:  How Long Does Australian Skilled Migration Visa Processing Take?

Steps to Apply for a Partner Visa Subclass 820

To submit an application for the Subclass 820 visa successfully. You must:

• Make sure that you meet all eligibility criteria, visa status and relationship requirements. 
• Create or access an ImmiAccount to lodge the 820 visa application online. 
• Ensure that your sponsor completes and submits the sponsorship form.
• The visa application may be lodged while the individual is in Australia as long as all applicable visa fees have been paid. 
• Respond quickly to any requests for additional information from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and wait for their decision.

In most cases, applicants are granted a bridging visa subclass 820 after lodgement. They can lawfully remain in Australia while their application is being processed.

Final Thoughts

You can seek guidance from an experienced migration agent Cannington to make sure your application is accurate and aligned with current immigration requirements. This preparation helps you feel more confident throughout the visa application process.