Visa 820 Australia: Complete 2026 Guide to Partner Visa 820/801 eligibility, costs & processing
- VEM | Tư vấn định cư Úc, di trú Úc
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Visa 820 Eligibility Requirements And Application Guide For 2026
Are you wondering what Visa 820 means for your relationship with an Australian partner? With 40,500 Partner visas planned for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and processing times reaching 17-24 months, understanding the onshore partner visa pathway is critical. VEM provides this comprehensive guide to help you navigate the Subclass 820/801 application successfully.
Additional Information: Visa 820
Visa 820 Overview And What It Means
The Partner Visa 820/801 enables Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to sponsor their spouse or de facto partner to live in Australia. This two-stage onshore visa pathway is designed specifically for applicants already living in Australia.
The Subclass 820 is a temporary partner visa that allows you to live, work, and study in Australia while awaiting the permanent visa 801 grant. After 2 years from your 820 application date, you can apply for the Subclass 801 permanent partner visa.
For those applying from outside Australia, the offshore Subclass 309/100 visa (often called the 309 spouse visa) serves as the equivalent pathway.
Benefits You Get With Partner Visa 820/801
A Partner visa allows you to live together and plan your future in Australia with significant advantages:
With Visa 820 temporary status, you can:
Work freely with protections under Australian employment law
Study without restrictions
Travel in and out of Australia
Access Medicare for healthcare
Once granted Subclass 801 permanent visa, additional benefits include:
Full Medicare access for you and your family
Paying domestic student fees for higher education
Eligibility for Australian citizenship after meeting residency requirements
The ability to sponsor eligible family members for visas
Visa 820 Eligibility Requirements You Must Meet
Under Australian migration policies, you must satisfy these 820 visa requirements:
Your sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
You must be at least 18 years old in most cases
Show that your relationship is genuine and ongoing
Be in Australia at the time you apply and when the visa is decided
Your sponsor must be legally recognised as your spouse or de-facto partner
You must meet Australia's health and character requirements
If you hold a Prospective Marriage visa (Subclass 300), you must apply for Partner visa 820 before the 300 visa expires.
Relationship Assessment For 820/801 Visas
To qualify for the temporary Partner visa Australia 820/801, your relationship must fall into one of two recognised categories: married or de facto.
Married relationship eligibility:
Your marriage is legally recognised in Australia
You and your partner are committed to a shared life together
Your relationship is genuine and ongoing
You live together or are not permanently living apart
De facto relationship eligibility:
You are in a genuine de facto partnership under Australian law
You and your partner share a committed life together, with exclusivity
Your relationship is ongoing and genuine
You live together or are not separated permanently
Show at least 12 months of living together, unless an exemption applies
Exceptions to the 12-month requirement include:
Strong, compassionate, or compelling circumstances
Your partner holds (or previously held) a permanent humanitarian visa and declared the relationship before it was granted
Your partner has lodged an application for a permanent humanitarian visa
Your relationship is officially registered with an Australian state or territory authority
Visa 820 Checklist Of Required Documents
Applying for a Partner visa requires substantial evidence showing your relationship is genuine and ongoing. The 820 visa checklist includes:
1. Required forms:
Form 80 Character Assessment of Applicant
At least 2 Form 888s statements from family or friends supporting your relationship
2. Personal Documents:
Passport
Birth Certificate
Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
Proof of Name Change (if applicable)
Divorce Certificate (if applicable)
National Identity Card
3. Character Documents:
Australian Police Certificate
Overseas Police Certificate(s)
Military Service Records (if applicable)
Military Discharge Papers (if applicable)
4. Relationship Evidence:
Nature of Household: Proof of shared living arrangements and domestic responsibilities
Joint lease agreement
Bond payment receipt
Mortgage documents
Joint property ownership documents
Utility bills with both names
Photos of your home together
Financial Aspects: Shared finances, joint assets, financial support
Joint bank accounts
Joint credit or debit cards
Joint insurance policies
Shared rental payments
Other shared financial commitments
Social Aspects: Evidence of recognition as a couple by family, friends, and community
Nature of Commitment: Relationship history, long-term intentions, level of commitment
5. Additional Documents for Dependent Children:
Parental consent or custody documents for children under 18 (if required)
Adoption documents (if applicable)
Extra eligibility requirements may apply for children aged 18 and over
Form 80 for dependent children aged 16+
Australian police clearance for dependents aged 16+
Overseas police clearances for dependents aged 16+
Working with a registered migration agent can help ensure your documents meet requirements and improve approval chances.
820/801 Visa Application Steps With VEM
Step 1: Initial ConsultationConsult with VEM's registered migration agent, Mr. Peter Cao. The team reviews your situation, explains visa options, and confirms support for your case. Eligibility assessment covers relationship status, visa history, health, and character criteria.
Step 2: Document PreparationVEM guides you through collecting and organising all required documents, including identity papers, relationship evidence, health checks, and character records. Everything meets legal and policy requirements.
Step 3: Application LodgementOnce ready, VEM submits your application to the Department of Home Affairs through ImmiAccount. Forms are accurate, fees are paid, and all supporting documents are attached correctly.
Step 4: Ongoing Support & Visa OutcomeAfter submission, VEM monitors your application, assists with additional Department requests, and keeps you updated. If approved, the team guides you through transitioning from temporary to permanent visa status.
During this time, you can check your visa status as the DHA may require additional documents.
Costs Of Partner Visa 820/801 In 2026
According to the latest Department of Home Affairs update, the Partner visa 820 fee is AUD 9,365 for most applicants.
Fee types (in AUD):
For the visa applicant:
If not yet had a Subclass 300 visa: AUD 9,365
If already had a Subclass 300 visa: AUD 1,980
For additional applicants (most applicants):
From and over 18 years of age: AUD 4,685
Under 18 years of age: AUD 2,345
For Subclass 300 visa holders:
From and over 18 years of age: AUD 990
Under 18 years old: AUD 500
Health, police checks, and biometrics fees: Approximately AUD 300
Note: Fees do not include a 1.4% surcharge.
Visa 820 Processing Time In 2026
As of May 2026, processing time for Subclass 820 onshore temporary partner visa is usually between 17 and 24 months. Some applications process within 8 to 18 months, while complex cases or incomplete applications can take over 24 months.
Contact VEM for expert preparation of your visa application. The registered migration agent (MARN: 1577877) guides you through the entire application process. VEM provides ongoing support for your Subclass 801 visa application after your Partner visa subclass 820 is granted.
Applicants exploring work options during this period may also consider the 482 visa or temporary pathways, such as a working holiday visa, to gain Australian work experience while waiting.
Start Your Visa 820 Journey Today With VEM Expert Support
Got questions about Visa 820 eligibility or application timing? VEM's registered migration agents provide personalised guidance through every stage, from initial consultation to permanent visa 801 transition. Don't let documentation delays extend your 17-24 month processing timeline.
Vietnam Office: SAV.6-03.06 The Sun Avenue, 28 Mai Chi Tho Street, Binh Trung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Australia Office: Level 24–25, 108 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000, AustraliaVietnam Hotline: 0909 112 310
Australia Hotline: (+61) 865 578 833
Website: https://vemvisa.com
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