820/801 — Partner visas (apply in Australia) - Partner visa (temporary) (subclass 820) and Partner visa (Permanent) (subclass 801)
Updated 22 July 2026
This is general information, not migration advice. Visa rules, fees and eligibility change often — always confirm on the Department of Home Affairs website, and speak to a registered migration agent about your own situation.
Overview
This pathway allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia. It is a two-stage process with a single combined application: you apply for the temporary and the permanent Partner visas together while you are in Australia. Home Affairs first decides the temporary Partner visa (subclass 820), which lets you stay while the permanent stage is assessed; the permanent Partner visa (subclass 801) is a separate later grant, and the processing time for it starts from the date of eligibility, which is 2 years after you applied for the temporary and permanent Partner visas. How long you can stay: Subclass 820 (temporary): "Temporarily until your permanent Partner visa (subclass 801) application is finalised or you withdraw your application." Subclass 801 (permanent): "Permanently."
Step by step
Step 1: Step 1 - Before you apply: understand the requirements and, if you want help, appoint a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person (Form 956A for an authorised recipient).
Step 2: Step 2 - Gather and prepare your documents: identity documents, evidence of your relationship, sponsorship documents (including a minimum of two statutory declarations made within the last six weeks by an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen), and documents for any dependants.
Step 3: Step 3 - Apply for the visa online in ImmiAccount: log in or create an account, select 'New application', then 'Family', then 'Stage 1 - Partner or Prospective Marriage Visa'; complete the application, pay the visa application charge, submit it, give your Transaction Reference Number (TRN) to your sponsor, and attach supporting documents. You must be in Australia when you apply.
Step 4: Step 4 - After you apply: your partner lodges the 'Sponsorship for a Partner to Migrate to Australia' online form, organise health examinations and character documents, provide biometrics if asked, and tell us if your details or circumstances change.
Step 5: Step 5 - Visa outcome for the temporary Partner visa (subclass 820): we notify you in writing. If granted, you can live, work and study in Australia while the permanent stage is assessed.
Step 6: Stage 2 - Permanent Partner visa (subclass 801): you become eligible for consideration two years after you first applied. Apply through ImmiAccount by selecting 'New application', 'Family', then 'Stage 2 - Permanent Partner Visa Assessment', and attach the additional documents showing your relationship is genuine and ongoing.
Eligibility & requirements
- In most circumstances you must be the spouse (married) or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, and be in a genuine relationship.
- Your spouse or de facto partner must sponsor you, and the sponsorship must be lodged and approved.
- You must be in Australia when you apply for this visa, along with any family who apply with you; you can be in or outside Australia when we decide your temporary visa application.
- You must generally hold a substantive visa (there are limits if you hold certain regional visas, such as subclasses 475, 487, 491 or 494, or if you have had a visa cancelled or an application refused).
- You must be the right age (generally 18 or older).
- You, and family members who apply with you, must meet our health requirement and character requirement.
- You must have no outstanding debt to the Australian Government, or an approved arrangement to repay it, and if you are 18 or older you must sign the Australian Values Statement.
- For the permanent stage (subclass 801) you must hold the temporary Partner visa (subclass 820) or a Dependent Child visa (subclass 445), and in most cases continue to be in a genuine and ongoing relationship with your sponsor.
Costs
| Item | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| Application charge (covers both the temporary subclass 820 and permanent subclass 801 stages) - most applicants | From AUD11,710.00 for most applicants. Concessions apply in limited circumstances. |
| Application charge - Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) holders | From AUD1,955.00 for Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) holders. |
| Permanent Partner visa (subclass 801) charge | "You paid for this visa when you made your applications for the temporary and permanent Partner visas." (no separate charge at the permanent stage) |
| Additional applicants and other costs | Current fee is published on the Home Affairs page for this visa — see Key links. |
Key links
- Partner visas (apply in Australia) - overview (opens the official website)
- Partner visa (temporary) (subclass 820) (opens the official website)
- Partner visa (Permanent) (subclass 801) (opens the official website)
- Visa Pricing Estimator (opens the official website)
- Global visa processing times guide (opens the official website)
- Who can help with your application (opens the official website)
Contacts
- Registered migration agent (MARA)
- For advice about your own circumstances, use a registered migration agent or a legal service. This page is general information only.