The Partner Visa Subclass 820 allows eligible applicants to stay in Australia temporarily while waiting for a decision on their permanent Partner Visa (Subclass 801) application. This visa is available to the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen and is the first step toward obtaining permanent residency through the Subclass 801 visa.
The Subclass 820 visa allows you to live, work, and study in Australia, travel in and out of the country, and access Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system, where eligible. Applicants must be sponsored by an eligible Australian partner.
Requirements for Partner Visa Subclass 820
Applicants for the Partner Visa Subclass 820 must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Relationship status: You must be legally married to or in a genuine de facto relationship with your Australian partner. De facto applicants generally need to show at least 12 months of living together unless an exemption applies.
- Visa history: Certain visa refusals or cancellations may affect your eligibility.
- Current visa status: You must generally be in Australia when applying for the Subclass 820 visa.
- Proof of relationship: You must provide strong evidence that your relationship is genuine and ongoing, including shared accommodation, joint financial documents, communication records, and supporting statements.
- Age requirement: Both the applicant and the sponsor must usually be at least 18 years old.
- Health and character requirements: Applicants must meet Australia’s health and character requirements, including medical examinations and police clearance certificates where required.
- No outstanding government debt: You and any included family members should not have outstanding debts to the Australian Government.
- Sponsor eligibility: The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Processing Time for Partner Visa Subclass 820
Processing times vary depending on individual circumstances.
In many cases, Subclass 820 applications may take approximately 16 to 34 months, although some applications may be processed sooner depending on the strength of the evidence and the completeness of the application.
Factors that can affect processing times include:
- The complexity of the application
- The quality of relationship evidence
- Missing or incomplete documents
- Previous immigration history
- Delays in responding to requests from the Department of Home Affairs
Many onshore Partner Visa applications are processed over a period of approximately 23 to 30 months. After the required assessment period, eligible applicants may proceed to the Subclass 801 permanent Partner Visa stage.
Steps to Improve the Application Process
A well-prepared application can help reduce unnecessary delays.
At Shanovia Immigration, our experienced migration professionals carefully review all forms and supporting documents before submission. We help applicants prepare strong relationship evidence, including:
- Joint financial documents
- Shared asset records
- Household documents
- Communication records
- Travel history
- Social evidence of the relationship
We also assist with responding to requests from the Department of Home Affairs and provide regular updates throughout the application process.
Rights and Benefits of Partner Visa Subclass 820
The Subclass 820 visa allows applicants to remain in Australia while their permanent Partner Visa application is being assessed.
Key Benefits
- Live in Australia: Stay lawfully in Australia while awaiting a decision on your Subclass 801 visa.
- Full work rights: Work in Australia without employment restrictions.
- Study rights: Study in Australia, although government-funded education assistance may not be available.
- Travel flexibility: Travel to and from Australia while the visa remains valid.
- Medicare access: Access Australia’s public healthcare system where eligible.
- English language support: Eligible applicants may access English language programs available through the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP).
- Include dependent children: Eligible dependent children can generally be included in the application.
Partner Visa Subclass 820 Document Checklist
A complete and organised application is essential for a smooth assessment process.
At Shanovia Immigration, we help prepare a detailed Partner Visa Subclass 820 document checklist tailored to your circumstances.
Applicant Documents
- Passport biodata page
- Birth certificate
- National identity documents
- Name change documents (if applicable)
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Divorce documents (if applicable)
- Relationship evidence
- Details of dependent children (if any)
- Relationship history
- Joint financial documents
- Lease agreements
- Property ownership records
- Joint household bills
- Jointly addressed correspondence
- Evidence of shared household responsibilities
Documents for Dependent Children
Dependents Under 18
- Identity documents
- Birth certificate
- Health examination reports
- Parental responsibility documents
- Adoption papers (if applicable)
- Character documents for children aged 16 or 17 where required
- School or education enrolment documents
Dependents Over 18
To include a dependent child over 18 years of age, they generally must be financially dependent on the applicant and meet the relevant Australian immigration requirements.
Common documents include:
- Form 47A (where applicable)
- Birth certificate
- Financial dependency evidence
- Identity documents
- Health examination reports
- Character documents where required
Why Choose Shanovia Immigration for Your Partner Visa Subclass 820?
Applying for a Partner Visa requires careful preparation and detailed supporting evidence.
At Shanovia Immigration, we provide personalised assistance throughout the entire process, including:
- Eligibility assessment
- Relationship evidence preparation
- Document organisation
- Application preparation
- Lodgement support
- Ongoing communication during processing
Our team stays updated with Australian immigration legislation and provides tailored strategies based on your individual circumstances.
Whether your case is straightforward or more complex, Shanovia Immigration is committed to making your Partner Visa Subclass 820 application as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Conclusion
The Partner Visa Subclass 820 is an important pathway for eligible partners who wish to build their future together in Australia. With the right preparation, strong relationship evidence, and professional guidance, the application process can be managed with greater confidence.
At Shanovia Immigration, we are dedicated to helping couples navigate every stage of the Partner Visa journey, from the initial application through to permanent residency under the Subclass 801 Partner Visa.
