Your Complete Guide to Partner Visa 820: Eligibility, Process, and Tips for Success

So you are in a serious relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident and are looking to live together in Australia legally. First – Cenvats! This is a great life step. But if you already poked the Australian Immigration website, you know it’s a maze. Don’t worry – this guide breaks everything, step by step, without confusing jargon.

Let’s talk about the partner visa 820 – what it is, for who it is, how to subscribe and what you can do to ensure that your application has the best chance possible to be approved.

What Is the Partner Visa 820?

In essence, the partner aims to 820 is for married people or in a de facto relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible citizen of New Zealand. It is a temporary visa that allows you to stay in Australia while waiting for your permanent partner visa (subclass 801) to be processed.

Think about it as a two -step process:

1. First, you subscribe to 820 (temporary).
2. After two years, if the relationship is still strong, you are considered to be 801 (permanent).

Theoretically it should be easy enough.  Let’s examine the specifics.

Who Can Apply for the Partner Visa 820?

You must be inside Australia when you apply. That part is non-negotiable. You also need to hold a valid visa without any “no further stay” conditions attached (unless waived).

The most important thing? You and your partner must be in a genuine, committed relationship.

That means:

• You’re married (legally recognized under Australian law), OR
• You’ve been in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months, unless your relationship is registered in your state.

You’ll also need to prove your relationship is:

• Exclusive (you’re not in other relationships)
• Genuine and ongoing
• Supported by financial and emotional commitment
• Seen publicly (friends and family know you’re a couple)

Who Can Sponsor You?

Your partner must be:

• An Australian citizen
• A permanent resident
• Or an eligible New Zealand citizen

They’ll also need to pass character checks, and there are limits—someone can only sponsor two partners in their lifetime, and there are time limits between sponsorships.

Documents You’ll Need

This is where people often get overwhelmed, but if you stay organized, it’s manageable.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Identity & Relationship Proof

• Passport and birth certificate
• Marriage certificate (if married)
• Joint bank account statements
• Lease or mortgage showing shared address
• Bills with both names on them
• Travel records showing trips taken together
• Photos of you as a couple (with friends, family, at events)

Personal Statements

You and your partner will each write a relationship statement explaining how you met, how the relationship developed, and what your future plans are.

Statutory Declarations

You’ll need at least two declarations from people who know you both (friends, family, colleagues) saying your relationship is genuine.

The Application Process

Step 1: Apply Online

You submit your visa application through the ImmiAccount portal. Be prepared to pay a hefty fee—currently around AUD 8,850.

Once your application is lodged, you’ll typically get a Bridging Visa A, allowing you to stay in Australia legally while the 820 is being processed.

Step 2: Sponsor Applies

Your partner will need to submit a separate sponsor application. Make sure this gets done soon after your own application goes in.

Step 3: Submit Supporting Docs

Load all the documents we talked about earlier. You don’t have to do everything at once – but it doesn’t leave much time.

Step 4: Health & Police Checks

The Department of Internal Affairs will ask you to submit to health exams and send police authorizations from all countries where you have lived for over 12 months.

Step 5: Wait (Patiently)

The hardest thing is this. Processing times can vary greatly. Some applications are completed in 12 months, others may take more than two years. It depends a lot on how complete its application is.

From 820 to 801: Going Permanent

About two years after you register, you will be invited to send more documents to support your eligibility to the partner Visa 801.

This part is another check-in to confirm that the relationship is still real. If everything is in order, the 801 visa will grant you permanent residence, with full access to Medicare, work rights and more. 

Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Even legit couples can hit roadblocks with the partner visa subclass 820. Here are the most common mistakes:

• Not enough evidence: You might think a few photos and a joint bank account are enough: They are not. The more detailed and varied your evidence, the better.
• Inconsistent Time Lines: If your statement says you moved together in May, but your contract starts in July – this is a red flag.
• Absent Sponsor Form: If your partner forgets to send the sponsorship request, all your visa may be postponed or refused.
• Waiting for a long time for police checks: They can take time to arrive, especially from abroad. Don’t leave at the last minute.

Pro Tips for a Stronger Application

1. Keep a Relationship Timeline

Make a shared document where you track important dates – the first meeting, changing, holidays, birthdays. This will help you remain consistent in your paperwork.

2. Organize Documents by Category

Groups under the titles: financial, social, family, commitment. This shows the case officer that you understand the criteria.

3. Update Home Affairs Promptly

If you change your address, get married or have a baby – let them know. Silence can be suspicious.

4. Keep It Real

Do not overdo it. A casual photo at home means more than one place on vacation.

What If Things Change?

Sometimes life happens. If your relationship breaks after you register, it does not always mean that your application is over. You can still be eligible for the visa if:

• You’ve experienced domestic violence
• Your partner has passed away
• You share children

If any of these apply, seek legal advice right away. There may be options to continue your application under special provisions.

Living in Australia on a Partner Visa 820

Once granted, you’ll be able to:

• Work and study
• Access Medicare
• Travel in and out of Australia
• Apply for the 801 after two years
• Live a relatively normal life, with most of the same rights as a citizen (except voting study loans and government)

Final Thoughts

The partner Visa 820 is one of the most emotionally significant visas out there. It is not just paperwork – it is love, commitment and construction of a future together.

Although it is a long and stressful process, most couples usually experience it successfully after careful preparation with appropriate expectations. Gather your notes, be as honest and open as possible, and be prepared to ask for help if you are confused.

The key is to treat the application as a story – its story. One where your love is the base and your future together is the goal.

Author Bio:

This is Aryan, I am a professional SEO Expert & Write for us technology blog and submit a guest post on different platforms- Technooweb provides a good opportunity for content writers to submit guest posts on our website. We frequently highlight and tend to showcase guests.