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SUBCLASS 820 VISA
Subclass 820 Partner Visa (Temporary) Australia
Live, work, and build your future in Australia alongside your partner. We guide you through every stage of the partner visa 820 Australia process—evaluating subclass 820 eligibility, auditing four-pillar relationship evidence, securing onshore Bridging Visa A (BVA) work rights, and structuring your seamless transition to permanent residency.
96%
Agency Approval Rate
Onshore BVA
Full Work & Study Rights
12–22 Mo.
Typical Processing Time
PR Pathway
Leads to Subclass 801 PR
CORE CRITERIA
Subclass 820 Eligibility Requirements
Who is eligible for subclass 820 visa? The Subclass 820 partner visa is an onshore temporary visa. To lodge a valid application, both the applicant and sponsoring partner must satisfy strict Department of Home Affairs criteria.
Onshore Presence
You must be physically present in Australia when lodging your application and when the temporary Subclass 820 visa is granted.
Married or De Facto Status
You must be legally married to your sponsor under Australian law OR in a genuine de facto relationship for at least 12 months (or hold a state relationship registration).
Eligible Australian Sponsor
Your partner must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen aged 18+ who passes police character checks and sponsorship limit rules.
Substantive Visa Clearance
You should hold an eligible substantive visa that does not carry Condition 8503 ('No Further Stay') unless an official waiver has been approved prior to lodgement.
Four-Pillar Evidence Standard
Your relationship must be verified across financial aspects, household division, social recognition, and mutual long-term commitment.
Health & Character Checks
You and any included dependent children must satisfy mandatory Australian Bupa medical examinations and international police clearances.
Avoid Common Disqualifying Mistakes: Lodging an onshore 820 visa application while holding a visitor visa stamped with Condition 8503 ('No Further Stay') without a waiver, submitting insufficient cohabitation evidence for de facto claims under 12 months without a relationship registration certificate, or sponsor character check breaches can lead to immediate refusal and loss of your AUD 9,095 fee.
STEP-BY-STEP
How We Handle Your Subclass 820 Application
Our end-to-end agency management ensures your onshore application is decision-ready, securing a Bridging Visa A (BVA) with full work rights while protecting your path to permanent residency.
01
Relationship Audit & Visa Audit
We review your entry visa conditions, cohabitation history, and financial records to confirm subclass 820 eligibility and timing.
02
Four-Pillars Evidence Assembly
We structure your joint financial records, lease/address proofs, social evidence (Form 888s), and long-term commitment declarations.
03
ImmiAccount Digital Lodgement
We lodge your combined 820/801 application online, manage the AUD 9,095 government fee, and submit the accompanying sponsor form.
04
Bridging Visa BVA & Work Rights
We verify the activation of your Bridging Visa A (BVA) granting full work rights and Medicare access once your original entry visa expires.
05
820 Grant & 801 PR Transition
Upon 820 grant, we guide your temporary stay and prepare updated relationship evidence two years post-lodgement for permanent Subclass 801 PR grant.
EVIDENCE CHECKLIST
What Evidence is Needed for Subclass 820 Visa?
A successful partner visa 820 Australia application requires robust documentation across the Department's mandatory four pillars.
Financial & Household Pillar
- Joint bank account statements showing active shared household expenses
- Joint residential tenancy agreements, mortgage, or property deeds
- Utility accounts (gas, electricity, water, internet) in both names
- Written statutory statement detailing division of domestic responsibilities
Social & Commitment Pillar
- Form 888 statutory declarations from at least two adult Australian citizens
- Joint travel receipts, flight itineraries, and social photos over time
- Proof of joint social invitations, memberships, or public recognition
- Mutual wills, superannuation beneficiary nominations, and future plans
Identity, Sponsor & Legal Proofs
- Valid passport bio-data pages for applicant & Australian sponsor
- Official marriage certificate OR state relationship registration certificate
- Divorce decrees or legal separation papers from prior marriages
- International police clearances for all countries lived in for 12+ months
INVESTMENT & TIMELINES
Costs & Processing Schedule (Updated 1 July 2026)
We believe in transparent budgeting so couples understand exactly what government application charges, bridging rights, and professional fees to plan for.
Department of Home Affairs Fees
AUD 9,095
How much does subclass 820 visa cost? Subclass 820 cost is AUD 9,095 for the primary applicant. This single fee covers both the temporary Subclass 820 stage and the permanent Subclass 801 stage. Additional fees apply for dependent children (~$2,275 to $4,550).
* Prospective Marriage visa (300) holders pay a reduced fee of $1,515 to transition. Fees are set by the Department and subject to change.
Our Agency Service Fee
Case-Dependent
Our professional service fees are tailored to the specific complexity of your case. We evaluate your unique relationship history, cohabitation records, Condition 8503 waiver needs, and sponsor history before providing a clear, fixed-quote quotation without hourly billing.
* Our fee covers four-pillar evidence audits, sponsor applications, BVA management, and full visa representation.
Typical Processing Timelines
12 – 22 Months
How long does subclass 820 visa take? Subclass 820 processing time ranges between 12 to 22 months. However, lodging onshore grants an automatic Bridging Visa A (BVA), allowing you to live, work, and enroll in Medicare in Australia while waiting.
* Decision-ready applications with structured evidence tend to be processed significantly faster.
MARN 2619225
Why Work With a Registered Agent for Subclass 820?
What is subclass 820 partner visa? It is a high-stakes, two-stage onshore visa application representing a major financial and personal milestone. Because the government fee is AUD 9,095 and non-refundable upon refusal, lodging an onshore application requires absolute legal precision regarding entry visa conditions, 12-month de facto cohabitation evidence, and sponsor character compliance.
A frequent cause of visa refusal or extended processing delay is submitting unorganized, self-certified evidence—such as photo albums without joint financial statements, or failing to register a de facto relationship under state law when cohabitation falls short of 12 full months. Furthermore, if the applicant holds a visa with Condition 8503 ('No Further Stay'), lodging without an approved waiver will result in immediate application rejection.
As registered MARN professionals in Melbourne, we represent couples across Australia. We conduct a forensic pre-lodgement audit of your four-pillar relationship evidence, secure Condition 8503 waivers, manage Bridging Visa A (BVA) work rights, and handle international travel permissions via Bridging Visa B (BVB)—ensuring complete peace of mind throughout your journey to permanent residency.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear, direct answers regarding the Subclass 820 Partner Visa, costs, eligibility, work rights, and permanent transition.
What is subclass 820 partner visa?
The Subclass 820 Partner Visa is an onshore temporary visa that allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live, work, and study in Australia while awaiting evaluation for permanent residency.
Is subclass 820 visa temporary or permanent?
The Subclass 820 visa is a temporary visa. It is the first stage of a combined two-stage onshore partner visa application. Once granted, it remains active until a decision is made on your permanent Subclass 801 visa application, which is evaluated two years after your initial lodgement date.
Who is eligible for subclass 820 visa?
Subclass 820 eligibility requires you to be physically in Australia when applying, married to or in a genuine de facto relationship (minimum 12 months cohabitation or registered relationship) with an eligible Australian sponsor, hold an entry visa without Condition 8503 ('No Further Stay'), and meet health and character standards.
How much does subclass 820 visa cost?
The Department of Home Affairs primary applicant government application fee for the Subclass 820 visa is AUD 9,095. This combined fee covers both the temporary Subclass 820 stage and the permanent Subclass 801 stage. Additional charges apply for dependent family members included in the application.
How long does subclass 820 visa take?
Processing time for the Subclass 820 visa generally ranges between 12 to 22 months. Applications submitted with comprehensive, decision-ready 'four pillars' relationship evidence are regularly processed much faster by the Department of Home Affairs.
Can I work in Australia on subclass 820 visa?
Yes. Once your Subclass 820 visa is granted, you receive full, unrestricted work and study rights in Australia. Furthermore, while awaiting your 820 decision onshore, your Bridging Visa A (BVA) also provides full work rights after your initial entry visa expires.
What evidence is needed for subclass 820 visa?
The Department evaluates evidence across 'four pillars': Financial Aspects (joint accounts, shared leases, bills), Household Nature (domestic setup, shared address), Social Aspects (joint travel, social photos, Form 888 statements), and Mutual Commitment (wills, long-term plans, communication logs).
What happens after subclass 820 visa is granted?
After the Subclass 820 visa is granted, you can live, work, and study in Australia and enroll in Medicare. Exactly two years from your original application lodgement date, you become eligible to submit updated relationship evidence to transition to your permanent Subclass 801 visa.
Ready to Apply for Your Subclass 820 Visa Onshore?
Speak directly with registered MARN migration agents in Melbourne. Send us a message on WhatsApp to discuss Subclass 820 eligibility, four-pillar evidence, and Bridging Visa A options.