Australian Partner Visa. Helping You Reunite with Loved Ones

An Australian Partner Visa lets the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen live in Australia. If your relationship is genuine and ongoing, you may be eligible to apply for an Australian Partner Visa. We can help you understand how to apply for an Australian Partner Visa and what comes next.

Whether you’re applying for a Partner Visa 820 (also known as the Subclass 820 or Visa Subclass 820) or looking to transition to the Subclass 801 permanent visa, we can provide detailed insights into the application process and requirements. See how Immigration Gurus can assist you today.

Partner Visa Australia - You deserve to be together

Immigration Gurus have a wealth of knowledge and experience in helping our clients attain a Fiancé or Partner Visa for Australia. We understand and value the importance of you and your loving partner being together.

The Australian immigration system recognises the need for de-facto partners, fiancés and spouses to be together, whatever corner of the world they may come from. The partner visa scheme allows eligible persons to sponsor their de-facto partner, fiancé or spouse to join them in Australia on a temporary or permanent basis.

Why choose Immigration Gurus to assist with your Partner Visa?

  • We will prepare your complete Australia partner visa file
  • Quality, expert advice on partner visas
  • Honest and accurate assessment service
  • High Success rate for partner visas
  • Partner visa specialists

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How Immigration Gurus Cairns can help

The Immigration Gurus have helped hundreds of Australian citizens or permanent residents sponsor a partner or family member to relocate to Australia. We handle your whole application and take the stress out of the complicated immigration process. As your trusted Partner Visa agent, our experienced team can assist with document preparation, application lodgement and communication with the Department of Home Affairs.

What you need to know before applying for an Australian Partner Visa

Under Australian migration law, Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens are able to sponsor their partner (spouse, fiancé, defacto or interdependent partner) to migrate to Australia on a Partner Visa. There are two types of Partner Visas – a Spouse Visa or a Fiancé Visa.

To apply for an Australian partner visa, start by ensuring your relationship evidence is up to date and include clear copies of supporting documents. You can actually apply online via the Department of Home Affairs website.

De-Facto or Spouse Visa

To be eligible, you must be married, in a de-facto or interdependent relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. If your application for a Spouse Visa is approved, you or your spouse will be granted a provisional visa for two years, after which the application will be assessed against the criteria for a permanent visa. Spouse Visa Australia requirements include demonstrating the genuineness and ongoing nature of your relationship. You can do this by providing a range of documents and statements in support of your application. You and your spouse may also be required to attend an interview.

De Facto Visa Australia requirements

If you are in a de facto relationship, the De Facto Visa requirements are similar to those for the Spouse Visa in Australia. However, to prove you meet the requirements of a defacto relationship you must prove you have been living together for at least 12 months or be able to prove you have a legally registered defacto relationship to prove your relationship you will need to provide evidence such as joint financial accounts, shared living arrangements and social recognition of your relationship.

Fiancé Visa

In order to qualify for a fiancé visa (as well as meeting other criteria) you must be engaged to an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. Both the applicant and sponsor must undergo character checks as part of the Partner Visa Requirements, the applicant and any dependents will also need to satisfy the health criteria.

The Partner Visa application process

Regardless of whether you are applying as a spouse or de facto partner, the Partner Visa process typically involves two stages:

  • Offshore applicants — Subclass 309 (Temporary Partner Visa) followed by Subclass 100 (Permanent Partner Visa)
  • Onshore applicants — Subclass 820 (Temporary Partner Visa) followed by Subclass 801 (Permanent Partner Visa)

The Temporary Partner Visa Australia allows you to live and work in Australia in the meantime, while your application for permanent residency is being assessed.

After meeting specific requirements and maintaining your relationship for a certain period (usually two years after the temporary partner visa has been lodged), you can apply for a permanent Partner Visa.

What constitutes evidence of the relationship?

Evidence of a relationship is the supporting material used to show the Department of Home Affairs that your partnership is genuine and continuing. Strong evidence should reflect your shared life, not rely on one document alone.

  • Financial aspects, such as joint accounts, bills, loans or shared expenses.
  • Household arrangements, including leases, mail, living arrangements and shared responsibilities.
  • Social aspects, such as travel, invitations, mutual friends and activities together.
  • Your commitment to each other, including ongoing communication, knowledge of each other’s lives and plans for the future.

We help organise this evidence clearly and consistently for your application.

How to apply for the Australian Partner Visa (Step-by-step)

Applying for the 820 Visa (Temporary Partner Visa)

The 820 Visa Australia is a temporary visa that allows you to stay in Australia while your permanent visa (Subclass 801) application is processed. You apply for both visas together. Here’s how the process works:

  • Gather your supporting documents. Prepare evidence of your relationship, identity documents and other required information. You may also need health examinations, character documents or biometrics as part of the process. Use the Partner Visa Australia Checklist provided by the Department of Home Affairs to help prepare a complete application.
  • Submit your Partner Visa application. We help you complete and lodge your Subclass 820 and 801 applications online through ImmiAccount, with accurate information and supporting evidence to reduce the risk of avoidable delays.
  • Pay the visa application charge. Pay the applicable Department of Home Affairs visa application charge when lodging your application. Fees can vary depending on your circumstances.
  • Complete the sponsorship application. Your Australian partner will generally need to submit their Partner sponsorship through ImmiAccount and provide the required supporting information.
  • Respond to any further requests. The Department may ask for additional documents, health examinations, biometrics or other information while assessing your application. Keep an eye on your ImmiAccount and respond promptly to requests.
  • Await the decision. You can monitor your application and Department messages through ImmiAccount while your Subclass 820 application is assessed. Once a decision is made, the Department will notify you.

The Partner Visa Australia processing time for the Visa 820 can vary, but it typically takes between 20 to 24 months. During this time, you may be required to provide additional documentation.

Transitioning to the Subclass 801 (Permanent Partner Visa)

Once your Visa 820 in Australia is granted, we can help you apply for the Subclass 801 permanent visa. This visa permits you to live in Australia on a permanent basis and access further benefits such as Medicare and Social Security.

Please note that this information is general in nature and should not be considered legal advice. Immigration laws can change, and individual circumstances may vary.

Choose Immigration Gurus for all your visa application needs

From understanding your Partner Visa options to exploring our immigration services, we’ve got you covered. Ready to start your Australian adventure? Let Immigration Gurus be your partner in this exciting journey. Whether you’re looking into a General Skilled Visa, need detailed visa information or are seeking advice from a Partner Visa migration agent about a work visa, we are here to help.

FAQs

The Subclass 820 (also known as the 820 Partner Visa) is a temporary visa that permits you to remain in Australia while your permanent Subclass 801 visa application is being processed. Once the Subclass 801 is granted, it allows you to reside in Australia permanently.

The time it takes to process a Partner Visa application can vary. For the 820 Visa, it generally takes between 20 to 24 months for approval. After that, the Subclass 801 permanent visa usually takes around 12 months to process.

Partner Visa sponsor requirements include being an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. They must also meet certain character requirements.

When applying for a Partner Visa, you’ll need to gather several documents, including evidence of your relationship, identity documents and health and character checks. A comprehensive list of required documents can be found in the Partner Visa Australia checklist provided by the Department of Home Affairs.

Common reasons for refusal include insufficient evidence of a genuine relationship, failure to meet character or health requirements and providing false or misleading information.

While living together is strong evidence of a genuine relationship, it is not always required. Couples who are temporarily separated due to work, study or other valid reasons can still apply, provided they can prove that the relationship is ongoing and committed.

If your relationship ends while your Partner Visa application is being processed, it is important to notify the Department of Home Affairs. Depending on the circumstances, your application may be refused or if the relationship ended due to domestic violence or other serious reasons, you might still be eligible to continue the application.

No, the 820 Visa in Australia is not a Permanent Residency Visa. The 820 Visa is a Temporary Partner Visa. The 820 visa leads to the 801 visa which is permanent residency.

To apply for an Australian Partner Visa, you generally need to be the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. Your relationship must be genuine and continuing, and you must meet health, character and other visa requirements set by Home Affairs.

Processing times vary by visa subclass and individual circumstances. As of June 2026, the Department of Home Affairs lists a median processing time of 17 months for provisional or temporary Partner Visas. Your application may take longer depending on its complexity, supporting evidence, checks required and current Department processing priorities.

Yes. If you are in Australia and meet the eligibility requirements, you may be able to apply for the onshore Partner Visa pathway, Subclasses 820 and 801. Your current visa conditions and immigration status can affect whether you can lodge a valid application, so these should be checked carefully first.

Find the right Visa pathway for you

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“The Immigration Gurus are reliable, effective and helped us to get our partner visa. They closely followed our case which made us feel they were very professional and made us feel relieved. They always updated our case situation and progress. If someone is looking for a good quality immigration consultation service, we have no doubt to recommend the Immigration Gurus to them. We are very happy that we chose them.”

ZoePartner Visa

“The Immigration Gurus were fantastic in helping me obtain the right visa. The team were very organised and professional during the application process and made sure that I was given the best chance of success. Their expert advice gave me confidence from the lodgement date until my visa was granted. I would highly recommend the Immigration Gurus to anyone looking for top quality immigration advice.”

JuliaPartner Visa

“The Immigration Gurus made me feel comfortable asking questions and when the government changed the rules during my application, they bent over backwards to help me and my partner get our submission in. I appreciate everything the Gurus did, thanks for helping us get our de-facto partnership visa!”

RachelPartner Visa

“Thank you so much to the Immigration Guru team, you are all such genuine, professional and approachable individuals. We had a great feeling about Nat and his team and we weren't disappointed, they guided us all the way. I will definitely be recommending you to everyone!”

EmiliaPartner Visa

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