Australian Onshore Partner Migration: Get PR through 820 + 801 in One Application
If you are already in Australia and have established a stable relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, partner migration is typically the most direct pathway to PR.
The Partner Visa (subclass 820 and 801) is the most mainstream visa combination for Australian partner migration, taking a “two step” approach: Stage 1 is the 820 provisional visa; Stage 2 is the 801 permanent residency visa (PR).
Compared with other migration pathways, partner migration is not about points or occupation — it is about whether your relationship is genuine and continuing. Newstarsec NewStars helps you systematically design your relationship evidence, avoid refusal risk, and provides professional support across the entire process.
Free Assessment →Why Choose 820 / 801 Partner Migration?
The Partner Visa (subclass 820 and 801) is the most mainstream visa combination for Australian partner migration, taking a “two step” approach:
Stage 1: 820 Provisional Visa
Once your application is lodged, it enters the assessment stage. While waiting, you can obtain a Bridging Visa, allowing you to lawfully live, work, and study in Australia.
Stage 2: 801 Permanent Residency Visa (PR)
Typically, around 2 years after lodging the 820 application, the Department of Home Affairs assesses whether your relationship is continuing and decides whether to grant the 801 visa, formally awarding PR status.
Compared with other migration pathways, partner migration is not about points or occupation — it is about whether your relationship is genuine and continuing.
A Detailed Look at the Two Stage 820 / 801 Visas
The 820 and 801 visas are not two separate applications — they are two stages within the same application process.
This pathway suits:
- Applicants already onshore in Australia
- Those in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen or PR
- Anyone hoping to obtain PR through their relationship
Stage 1: 820 Visa (Provisional)
Once granted, you can lawfully live, work, and study in Australia while waiting to progress to the next stage.
Stage 2: 801 Visa (Permanent)
Typically, around 2 years after lodging the 820 application, the Department of Home Affairs assesses whether your relationship is continuing, and decides whether to grant the 801 visa.
Key Comparison: 820 vs 801
| Comparison | 820 Visa | 801 Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Visa nature | Provisional | Permanent residency (PR) |
| Lodged separately? | No (lodged together) | No (but Stage 2 is required) |
| Assessment focus | Genuine and continuing relationship | Genuine and continuing relationship |
| Rights | Can work and live | Full PR rights |
820 is the “bridge”, 801 is the final goal.
820 / 801 Eligibility and Core Assessment Logic
The core of an 820/801 application is the relationship, not your personal background.
You need to meet the following:
- Be in a legally recognised marriage or de facto relationship with your sponsor
- Your sponsor is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Your relationship is genuine and continuing
- Meet the health and character requirements
Core Assessment Logic
When assessing partner visas, the Department of Home Affairs focuses on whether your relationship is genuine — not on the formality of a “marriage certificate”.
Officers usually weigh the following dimensions together:
- Living arrangements together
- Financial relationship (joint accounts or shared expenses)
- Social relationship (recognised by family and friends)
- Future plans (shared plans together)
Put simply, partner visas are not won on the volume of paperwork, but on whether the logic of your relationship holds together.
The 820 / 801 Six Step Application Process
The 820/801 application process is relatively clear, but the timeline is long.
Confirm relationship type and eligibility
First, confirm whether yours is a marriage or de facto relationship, and make sure you meet the eligibility criteria.
Prepare relationship evidence
Systematically organise your relationship evidence — cohabitation records, financial transactions, photos, message logs, and more — to form a complete narrative chain.
Lodge the 820 visa application
Lodge your application onshore in Australia and enter the assessment stage. While waiting, you can typically obtain a Bridging Visa.
Receive 820 provisional visa grant
Once granted, you can lawfully live and work, while moving into the waiting period for the 801 assessment stage.
Lodge 801 supporting documents
Once you meet the timing requirements, submit updated relationship evidence to demonstrate the relationship is still continuing.
Receive 801 permanent visa grant
Once the Department of Home Affairs confirms your relationship is continuing, the 801 visa is granted and you are formally awarded Australian PR status.
820 / 801 Application Cost Estimate
Partner migration costs are concentrated at the visa application stage — one fee covers both stages.
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Fee Range (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application fee (820+801) | $9,000+ | One off payment |
| Medical examination fees | $300 – $500 | — |
| Documents and notarisation fees | $500 – $1,500 | — |
| Legal or service fees | Tailored | — |
Fees shown are reference figures as at June 2026 — the latest officially published rates prevail.
Partner visas follow a “one fee covers both stages” model. Exact fees are subject to the Department of Home Affairs schedule for the relevant year.
Common Partner Visa Risks and Reasons for Refusal
Partner visas may look straightforward, but the risks are concentrated in relationship evidence. Common issues include:
Unsystematic evidence
Scattered evidence with no logical structure fails to build a complete relationship narrative.
Insufficient cohabitation time
Cohabitation periods that are too short, or gaps that are poorly explained, fail to meet assessment requirements.
Weak financial and social ties
A lack of joint accounts, shared expenses, or social recognition from family and friends.
Suspicions about authenticity
Inconsistent statements or a lack of emotional logic trigger doubts at the Department of Home Affairs about whether the relationship is genuine.
Many refusal cases are not about a relationship being unreal, but about applicants “not knowing how to prove it”.
How Newstarsec NewStars Helps You
The key to a partner visa is not “whether you are married” — it is:
- →How you prove the relationship is genuine
- →How you avoid being questioned
Newstarsec NewStars can help you to:
- Assess whether your relationship meets the requirements
- Design the structure of your relationship evidence
- Avoid refusal risk
- Provide complete application services
Get in touch today for an assessment of your partner visa success rate.
Free Assessment Now →Related Complex Success Cases
Real visa-grant outcomes — how we handle complex, high-difficulty Subclass 820/801 onshore partner migration cases.
Partner Visa 820 / 801 FAQs
Do 820/801 and 309/100 need to be lodged separately?
No. The 820 and 801 are lodged in the same application, but split into 2 stages. Stage 2 can only be applied for two years after the 820 is lodged, and you must hold the 820.
Do you have to be married for a partner visa?
Not necessarily. As long as you can prove a stable de facto relationship, you can still apply. However, you typically need to prove a certain period of cohabitation.
How long do you need to live together for a partner visa?
At least 12 months is generally recommended, but the specific requirement varies depending on circumstances — for example, a registered relationship can waive part of the time requirement.
Can you work during the 820 visa period?
Yes. While holding an 820 or a Bridging Visa, applicants can usually work lawfully.
How long does it take to receive the 801 visa?
Typically you progress to the 801 stage around 2 years after lodging the 820 application, though exact timing varies case by case.
Can partner visas be refused?
Yes. If the Department of Home Affairs considers the relationship not genuine or the evidence insufficient, the visa may be refused. Evidence preparation and logical presentation are therefore critical.
Do you have to be onshore in Australia to apply?
You must be physically in Australia when the 820 application is lodged — this is the basic requirement for an onshore application.
Ready to Start Your Partner Migration?
Newstarsec NewStars supports you fully, from relationship assessment all the way to the full 820/801 application. Get a free assessment today and find out your success rate.
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