Partner Visas
820/801, 309/100, 300
Your Partner Visa, Made Easy
If you're in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or
eligible New Zealand citizen, applying for a partner visa in Australia is your pathway to
building a life together permanently.
It's also one of the most personal and most
commonly refused visa category, usually because of incomplete relationship evidence rather than the relationship itself not being genuine.
I'm Sangeeta Mahajan, a Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2518841), and every partner visa application at Immigration HQ
is assessed by me personally, not handed to a junior caseworker.
Onshore vs Offshore Partner Visa:
Which Pathway Should You Choose?
The biggest decision most couples face isn't whether to apply, but whether to apply onshore or offshore. The answer depends on where you're currently living, not on your preference.
Choose the onshore (Subclass 820) pathway: if you're already living in Australia on a valid substantive visa, want to continue living here while your application is being processed, and value the Bridging Visa A with full work rights that you receive after lodging your application.
Choose the offshore (Subclass 309) pathway: If you currently live outside Australia, don't hold a substantive Australian visa, or are comfortable having your application assessed while living apart.
A common misconception is that offshore partner visa applications take longer than onshore applications. This isn't necessarily true. Processing times depend far more on the quality of your evidence than on the visa stream itself.
Married couples and de facto applicants follow an identical process. The only difference is that married couples don't need to prove 12 months of cohabitation because their marriage certificate satisfies that requirement. They are required to provide other supporting documentation to prov their relationship
Which Partner Visa Pathway Applies to You?
Three types of Partner Visas
What is an 820/801 visa?
The 820 and 801 Partner visas are designed for individuals in a genuine and ongoing relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. These visas allow the partner of an Australian citizen or permanent resident to live and work in Australia. The 820 visa is often referred to as the 'onshore partner visa,' as the applicant must be in Australia to apply for this visa.
820 Partner Visa (Temporary)
Purpose:
The 820 visa is a temporary visa that allows the applicant to live, work, and study in Australia while their permanent partner visa application (801) is processed.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for the 820 visa, the applicant must demonstrate that they are in a genuine and continuing relationship with their sponsor, who must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Inclusion of Children: Dependent children or stepchildren can be included in the 820 visa application, and if the visa is granted, they will have the same rights as the applicant.
801 Partner Visa (Permanent)
Purpose:
The 801 visa is a permanent partner visa and is typically granted after the applicant has held the temporary 820 visa for a certain period and has demonstrated that the relationship remains genuine and ongoing.
Eligibility:
You can only apply for the 801 visa after your 820 visa application has been finalized and granted. After holding the 820 visa for two years, applicants will be assessed for the 801 visa based on their continued eligibility and the stability of the relationship.
Permanent Residency:
Once the 801 visa is granted, it provides the applicant with permanent residency in Australia, which includes access to Medicare, the ability to live and work in Australia indefinitely, and the ability to apply for Australian citizenship in the future.
Family Members:
Both the 820 and 801 visa applications can include dependent children and stepchildren. If the primary applicant's visa is granted, the children will also receive the same rights, such as the ability to live and study in Australia.
Application Process
The applicant must submit both the temporary (820) and permanent (801) visa applications at the same time. After the 820 visa is granted, the applicant can live and work in Australia while waiting for the 801 visa decision. The 801 visa application is usually processed after a waiting period (often two or more years from the submission of the 820 visa application), at which point the applicant may be granted permanent residency.
If you are in a genuine relationship and planning to move to Australia with your partner, applying for these visas is an essential pathway.
What are the key partner visa 820 requirements in Australia?
Partner visa processing times vary by pathway and how complete your evidence is at the time
lodgement. We can share the current published figures during your free consultation, rather
than quoting an outdated number here.
-
Confirm which pathway applies (see the cards above)
-
Gather and organize your relationship evidence across all four categories
-
Receive your temporary visa decision, then later your permanent visa
-
Your partner MUST be an eligible Australian citizen/permanent resident or an eligible NZ citizen
-
You must be able to prove your relationship is genuine. This is a very important aspect of the visa application, and we will ensure that we compile all the relevant information for you.
-
You must pass the health assessment, unless you have a health waiver.
-
You must provide police checks for every country that you have lived in for 12 months in the last 10 years.
Ready to apply?
-
Book a free consultation with us today. We will be able to assess your situation and provide initial advice on the visa.
Genuine Relationship Evidence:
What Do Case Officers Actually Look For?
Case officers assess de facto relationship evidence across four categories:
-
Financial aspects: Joint bank accounts, shared bills, joint loans, and leases
-
Nature of the household: A shared home and how domestic responsibilities are divided
-
Social aspects: photos over time, joint invitations and evidence that friends and family recognise you as a couple
-
Commitment: Statements confirming that your relationship is genuine, long-term, and exclusive
The most common reason for refusal isn't a lack of love; it's disorganized evidence. Under the department's 2026 processing approach, applications are expected to be "decision-ready" when lodged, meaning there's less opportunity to submit additional evidence later.
Statutory declarations from people who know you both (Form 888) carry significant weight, particularly when your financial evidence is limited.
Why Do Couples Choose Immigration HQ for Their Partner Visa?
-
You always speak to the director; every case handled personally by Sangeeta Mahajan, MARN 2518841
-
Fixed fees for your partner visa application, installments available
-
Available Saturdays and evenings
-
Honest Assessments: We'll tell you upfront if we believe your case has a genuine chance of success.