Qualifying New Zealand citizens, Australian citizens, or permanent residents are permitted to temporarily or permanently visit their companions or de facto spouses in Australia by the Department of Home Affairs. Where the application is submitted and the visa is issued, a partner visa in Australia may be classified as either offshore or onshore. The Temporary Partner Visa (subclass 820) and the Permanent Partner Visa (subclass 801) are examples of onshore partner visas.
A two-step process is required to obtain an Australian partner visa. The initial stage is to obtain a temporary partner visa 820. Subsequently, after two years of residence in Australia, you may apply for a permanent partner visa 801. You will be able to seamlessly transition from temporary to permanent resident status if you satisfy all of the eligibility criteria.
An Australian partner visa is processed in two phases. (Transitioning from a transitory partner visa to a permanent partner visa.
What is the Partner Visa 820 in Australia in 2024?
A companion visa (subclass 820) enables the partner or de facto spouse of a qualifying New Zealand citizen, Australian citizen, or permanent resident to temporarily reside in Australia. Permanent residence in Australia is permitted under this visa through the 801 subclass.
By employing this visa, you are permitted to:
- Live, learn, and work in Australia.
- Within specific time constraints, you are permitted to visit Australia and other countries an unlimited number of times.
- Have access to Medicare, a public health insurance program.
What are the eligibility requirements for an 820 Partner Visa in Australia?
The following criteria must be satisfied to register for a partner visa 820 in Australia:
- Both you and your companion must be at least 18 years of age.
- In a de facto partnership, you must have resided together for a minimum of 12 months.
- You must be the companion or de facto spouse of an eligible New Zealander, Australian citizen, or permanent resident.
- The Immigration Department has established specific health and character requirements that you and your partner must satisfy.
- The Department requires a police clearance certificate as evidence that you have not been involved in any illicit activity in the past.
- Your companion (sponsor) should not have sponsored anyone else in the past five years.
Benefits of Onshore Temporary Partner Visa
- Work Rights: While your visa application is being processed, you may be able to attain financial stability by exercising your right to work in Australia.
- Medicare Access: The public healthcare system of Australia, Medicare, offers coverage for essential medical services and treatments.
- Study Opportunities: While on this visa, you are permitted to pursue education and training in Australia, although international student fees may be applicable.
- Travel Rights: Subject to the conditions of your visa, you may be permitted to travel in and out of Australia while your application is being processed.
- Permanent Residency Pathway: The temporary companion visa is typically the first step in the process of obtaining a permanent companion Visa (subclass 801), which ultimately grants permanent residency in Australia.
- Stay with Your Companion: The visa allows you to remain in Australia with your Australian companion while your permanent visa application is being processed.
- Social Security: You may be eligible for specific social security benefits after a specific period.
How can I apply for the 820 Partner Visa in Australia in 2024?
There are numerous steps involved in the application procedure for a Partner Visa 820. The procedure for applying for a partner visa in Australia is as follows:
1. Check your eligibility.
To register for an Australian partner visa 820, you must be present in Australia. You must be the companion or de facto spouse of an eligible New Zealander, Australian citizen, or permanent resident. Additionally, to qualify for an 820 companion visa, it is necessary to obtain a substantive visa.
2. Collect and organize the required documents.
Organize all necessary and supporting documentation before submitting an application for a temporary partner visa under subclass 820.
The 820 partner visa protocol is provided below.
Personal Documents
Personal Documents for the 820 Partner Visa:
- Copies of your passport that have been certified.
- Two passport-sized photographs.
- A certified copy of your birth certificate.
- National Identification Card (NIC).
- Certified copy of name change (if applicable)
Relationship Evidence Documents
Documents that serve as evidence of relationships are summarized below.
- Copies of valid marriage or relationship registrations.
- Invoices and bills serve as evidence of shared accommodations.
- Mutual financial commitments are demonstrated through bank statements and collective insurance policies.
- Two Statutory Declarations (Form 888) from a third party to verify your relationship.
- Statutory declarations from the sponsor that verify the legitimacy of your relationship with your partner.
Health and Character Requirements
- Proof of health insurance coverage.
- Evidence of an inspection conducted by the Australian Federal Police.
- Police certificates from each country in which you have lived for more than a year after the age of sixteen.
Apply for a visa after compiling all of the aforementioned documentation.
Nevertheless, if you are perplexed or apprehensive about the process of acquiring and compiling all of these documents to ensure that your application is decision-ready, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at The Migration.
3. Apply for Partner Visa 820.
When applying visa, adhere to the following steps:
- Access the ImmiAccount website by logging in.
- Select “New application” and then “Family.”
- Select “Stage 1: Prospective Marriage Visa or Partner Visa.”
- Please download and complete the application form.
- Please ensure that all necessary documentation is included with your application.
- Complete the form and pay the visa application fee.
- Please forward the transaction reference number (TRN) to your sponsor.
Additionally, it is possible to submit a consolidated application for both temporary and permanent visas (subclass 820/801).
4. Wait for the Visa outcome.
You must wait patiently for the visa’s conclusion after paying the 800 application charge for the partner visa. Your application’s status will be communicated to you by the Department of Home Affairs.
If your visa application is approved, you will receive:
- Visa grant number.
- Commencement and conclusion dates.
- Additional visa requirements.
When your visa application is denied or canceled you will be notified of:
- Justifications for visa denial and rejection.
- If you have the opportunity to reevaluate the decision.
After two years of spending less than $820, you may petition for the 801 permanent visa if you were granted an 820 temporary partner visa.
The processing time for an 820 Partner Visa in Australia in 2024?
In general, 820 companion visa applications are processed within two years. At present, the majority of temporary companion visa applications are processed within 22 months, with a processing period that spans from 23 to 26 months.
Nevertheless, the processing time can fluctuate based on a variety of factors, such as:
- Unique circumstances.
- An incomplete application form.
- The intricacy of each circumstance.
- The quantity and volume of applications that are currently being processed.
- Processing times are subject to change based on a variety of factors.
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What Happens After an 820 Visa Is Granted?
Initially, the companion visa 820 is contingent upon your presence in Australia. While your 801 visa is being processed, you will be permitted to reside in Australia if your Australian partner visa 820 is approved.
The following will be accessible to you upon the receipt of an 820 visa:
You and your companion have the option to temporarily reside, study, and work in Australia.
- Additionally, Medicare, Australia’s healthcare system, will be accessible to you.
- You will have the opportunity to accumulate evidence regarding your partnership.
- Apply for the perpetual visa (subclass 801) after two years of holding the 820 visa.
Cost of applying for an Australian Partner Visa in 2024?
The current application fees for filing a combined application for both subclass 820 and 801 visas are presented in the following table.
The primary applicant and any additional applicants are subject to visa application fees.
| Visa class | Application fees for Main Applicant | For Additional Applicants |
| Subclass 820/801 visa | $8,085 | Under 18: $2,025Over 18: $4,045 |
Please be advised that all fees are subject to change; therefore, you must consult the official website prior to submitting your application.
Conclusion:
Therefore, that concludes the discussion regarding the 820 companion visa. You have now acquired knowledge regarding the eligibility requirements, application procedures, processing periods, and fees associated with a partner visa in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can you apply for a partner visa onshore from Australia?
This visa is obtained while onshore in Australia, and a bridging visa can be granted to allow you to stay in Australia while the visa is processed.
What is the waiting time for visa 820?
If you are applying for an onshore partner visa (Subclass 820) in Australia, you can expect a processing time between 23 and 30 months, according to the Department of Home Affairs.
What are the new rules for partner visas in Australia?
Australia’s Partner Visa Program has recently undergone significant changes, aiming to simplify the process for applicants. Effective November 25, 2023, these updates eliminate the distinction between ‘onshore’ and ‘offshore’ applicants, making it easier for couples to navigate the visa application process.
