820 Visa Overview

This visa lets the de facto partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen live in Australia temporarily. Getting this visa is the first step towards a permanent Partner visa (subclass 801). You apply for the temporary and the permanent partner visas together.

Subclass: 820 Visa
Stay Duration: Temporarily, until the permanent Partner visa (subclass 801) is granted or the application is withdrawn
DoHA Fee: From AU$7,715 for most applicants.
From AUD1,285 for Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) holders.
This fee covers the visa fee for permanent Partner visa (subclass 801) as well.

About the 820 Visa

Visa Conditions

As the visa applicant, you must,

  • be in a genuine relationship with your spouse or de facto partner who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
  • be in Australia when you apply for this visa and when DoHA decides your temporary visa application. Family who apply with you must also be in Australia

Visa Eligibility

  • You must be the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian Citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand Citizen
  • You must have a sponsor when you lodge your application and when you are on this visa.
  • Married applicants must usually be 18 or older when they apply. This is because usually, you must be 18 or older to be married under Australian law. Applicants in de facto relationships must be 18 or older when they apply.
  • You must maintain adequate health insurance for the period of your stay.
  • You must meet all the health and character requirements
  • You must not have any debt to pay to the Australian government.
  • With under 18 applicants, it must be in the best interest of them.

Note: If you have had a visa cancelled or previous application refused, you may not be granted a Partner Visa.

Visa Benefits

  • Stay in Australia until we decide your permanent Partner (Migrant) visa (subclass 100) or the application is withdrawn
  • Work in Australia
  • Study in Australia (you will not receive government support)
  • Travel to and from Australia as many times as you want
  • Attend up to 510 hours of free English language classes provided by the Adult Migrant English Program
  • Enroll in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare

General Notes

  • Your relationship can be with someone of the same or different sex.
  • You might still be eligible for the visa if your relationship breaks down or your sponsor dies while your application is being considered by DOHA.
  • You can’t change your sponsor. The person who sponsors you when you apply for the visa must be same person who sponsors you for 2 years after DOHA grants your temporary 820 Partner visa.
  • You can include a dependent child or children in your application. You can include them when you lodge your visa application or add a dependent child after you lodge your application but before your temporary visa has been granted by DOHA. You can also add a dependent child after DOHA grants the temporary visa.
  • Applicants who hold or have held a Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) can also include a member of the family unit in their application. You can’t add these family members after you submit your visa application.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Subclass 820 Partner visa allows the partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia temporarily while waiting for permanent residency. It is the first stage of the onshore partner visa process.

No. The Subclass 820 visa is a temporary visa. Applicants who hold this visa may later become eligible for permanent residency through the Subclass 801 Partner visa.

Applicants may be eligible if they:

  • Are married to or in a de facto relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
  • Are in Australia when the visa application is lodged
  • Have a sponsor who is their partner
  • Meet health and character requirements

Yes. The 820 visa allows holders to live and work in Australia without restrictions while their permanent partner visa is being processed.

Yes. Visa holders can study in Australia, although they may not be eligible for government student loans or financial assistance.

Yes. Applicants can include eligible dependent children in the partner visa application.

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