Subclass 820 Partner Visa: Apply for Your Temporary Partner Visa to Stay in Australia

The Subclass 820 Partner Visa is a temporary onshore visa that allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to live lawfully in Australia while progressing to the permanent Subclass 801 visa.

• You must be in Australia and sponsored by your partner.
• You must be in a genuine, continuing relationship.
• You must meet financial, social, household and commitment requirements.
• You must provide sufficient evidence to prove the relationship.

• The 820 visa is the temporary stage that grants full work, study and Medicare rights.
• The 801 visa is the permanent residency stage, usually assessed two years after the initial application unless long-term relationship exemptions apply.

You receive a Bridging Visa A (BVA) that activates when your current visa expires.

It usually includes full work rights.

It allows you to remain in Australia until a decision is made.

After Subclass 820 is granted, you can transition to Subclass 801 for permanent residency. 

Yes, Subclass 820 is strictly for onshore applicants.

You must be in Australia at both lodgement and grant.

Typical processing times range from 8–18 months.

Delays vary depending on evidence quality, security checks and caseload volume.

High-quality documentation can reduce delays.

Yes, you may include dependent children as secondary applicants.

They can be added at lodgement or later if circumstances change.

They must meet health and character requirements.

You must notify Home Affairs.

You may still be eligible if family violence occurred, the sponsor dies, or you share a child.

Otherwise, the visa may not proceed.

Yes, after the temporary 820 visa, you are assessed for the permanent 801 Partner Visa.

The 801 visa provides full PR rights including Medicare, work rights, travel facilities and a pathway to Australian citizenship.