Partner (Temporary) Visa (subclass 820)
The Subclass 820 Partner (Provisional) Visa is a temporary visa that allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia. It serves as the initial step in a two-part process toward permanent residency, leading to the Subclass 801 Partner (Permanent) Visa.
With the Subclass 820 visa, you can stay in Australia while awaiting the assessment of your permanent residency application. This visa is designed for applicants already in Australia, helping couples begin their life together while moving toward a more stable, long-term status
Benefits of the Subclass 820 Visa
Temporary Residency
Reside in Australia temporarily while waiting for your permanent residency application (subclass 801).
Healthcare Scheme
Access Australia’s public healthcare scheme - Medicare
Work and Study
You have work and study rights in Australia while holding the 820 visa
Permanent Residency Pathway
The Subclass 820 visa is the first step toward gaining permanent residency in Australia through the Subclass 801 visa.
Travel Rights
Travel in and out of Australia during the visa’s validity period.
Subclass 820 Visa
MAIN REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible for the Subclass 820 Temporary Partner Visa, applicants must meet several essential criteria:
Visa application History in Australia
To be eligible for the Subclass 820 Partner (Provisional) Visa, you must meet the following criteria:
- Not had a visa canceled or an application refused
- Not holding certain regional visas
- You must be inside Australia when you apply
- You must have an approved sponsor
Current Location Requirement
You must be in Australia when you apply for this visa.
Sponsorship
You must have a sponsor both when you apply and throughout the time you hold this visa. Your sponsor will be your fiancé(e), and they must be approved by us to qualify as your sponsor. Your prospective spouse must be an:
- Australian Citizen
- Australian permanent resident or;
- Eligible New Zealand citizen
Age Requirement
You and your sponsor must be 18 years old or older when you apply for this visa.
Substantive visa
If you don’t hold a substantive visa when you apply and haven’t previously held a Prospective Marriage (Subclass 300) visa, you’ll need to show that there are compelling reasons for granting a Partner visa.
Meet relationship requirements
In most cases, you must be the spouse or de facto partner of an:
- Australian citizen
- Australian permanent resident or
- eligible New Zealand citizen
Health and Character
You and any family members included in your application must meet Australia’s health and character requirements, including medical exams and police checks.
- Not had a visa canceled or an application refused
| You are not married to each other | You and your spouse are mutually committed exclusively to each other. | Your relationship is genuine and continuing | you either live together or don't live permanently apart | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Married | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| De facto partners | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
The 12-month requirement may not apply if you can demonstrate compelling and compassionate reasons for being granted the Partner visa (Temporary) (subclass 820). Also, it will not apply if you are in these circumstances:
your de facto partner holds or held a permanent humanitarian visa and
your de facto relationship existed before the DHA granted their visa and
your de facto partner told the DHA about the relationship before their visa was granted
you are in a de facto relationship with a partner who is an applicant for a permanent humanitarian visa, or
you have registered your relationship with an Australian State/Territory authority
Supplementary information
Your relationship can be with someone of the same or different sex.
If you are experiencing domestic and family violence, You can apply for consideration to be granted your temporary and permanent visa. More information about the Family Violence Provisions.
Steps to apply for the Subclass 820 Visa
Gather Required Documents
Collect evidence of your relationship, such as marriage or de facto status, joint finances, shared living arrangements, photos, and statements from friends or family. Prepare identity documents, health insurance proof, and police clearance certificates.
1
Lodge the Application
Submit your combined Subclass 820 (temporary) and Subclass 801 (permanent) visa application online through the ImmiAccount portal on the Department of Home Affairs website. Include all required documents, such as proof of relationship and identity.
2
Provide Sponsorship Details
Your partner (sponsor) must submit their sponsorship application and provide necessary documentation. This is typically done concurrently with your visa application.
3
Health and Character Checks
Undergo medical examinations and submit police clearance certificates as part of the health and character requirements.
4
Wait for a Decision
The Department of Home Affairs will assess your application. While waiting for your Subclass 820 visa to be processed, you can remain in Australia on a bridging visa.
5
Transition to Permanent Visa (Subclass 801)
Once your Subclass 820 visa is granted, you will be eligible to transition to the Subclass 801 Permanent Partner Visa. This can take an additional 2 years after your Subclass 820 application is lodged.
6
Current Processing Time: Subclass 820 Visa
When it comes to the processing timeline, several factors can impact your application. These include the quality of submitted documents and the volume of applications received by the Department.
| 50% applications are processed in | 90% applications are processed in |
|---|---|
| 12 Months | 26 Months |
Frequently
Asked
Questions
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No, you must be in Australia when applying for the Subclass 820 visa and when the decision is made.
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You can stay in Australia indefinitely while waiting for your permanent Partner Visa (Subclass 801) decision.
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Yes, you have full work rights on a Subclass 820 visa.
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Yes, you can include dependent children or stepchildren in your Subclass 820 visa application. They must meet specific health and character requirements.