Partner Visa 801 is ultimately the last step, which is also considered to be the most crucial step in the process of obtaining a permanent residence in Australia for a partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. Forget the temporary status in Australia, the partner visa 801 is the permanent visa that lets you officially put down roots, work without restriction, and truly call Australia home. This visa follows the grant of the temporary Subclass 820 visa and permits the holder to have unlimited residential rights, full- or part-time work rights, and the right to study in Australia.
While both the 820 and 801 visas have their application jointly made, the permanent partner visa 801 will be made available for an individual only after you have held the temporary visa for a minimum period of two years or more. The main aim of the second-stage assessment in Partner Visa is to make sure that the relationship is still genuine and continuing for the time being thus, the documentation and timing become critical in determining your success.
Hence, this ultimate guide by BJay helps you break down the eligibility, the process, the costs involved, and key legal safety nets required to be addressed that is related to the Subclass 801 Partner Visa, which then helps in providing the definitive and exact checklist and the required expert insights required for a successful application.
What is Partner Visa 801? Understanding the Onshore Partner Visa Pathway
The Permanent residency (PR) can be obtained using the two-stage onshore Australian Partner Visa, also known as the Partner Visa.
- Stage 1: The Partner Visa 820 Partner (Temporary) Visa is another name for the Stage 1 visa. Usually granted first, this visa enables the applicant to dwell in Australia while their application for permanent residency is being processed.
- Stage 2: The Partner Visa 801 (Permanent) is another name for the Stage 2 visa is also known as Visa. This is the permanent residency outcome. You become eligible for the Partner Visa 801 Partner Visa two years from the date you lodged your original combined 820/801 application.
For most applicants, the long two-year waiting period which is often known as the “relationship test period,” is non-negotiable and essential to proving to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) that the commitment shows their sincerity and long-term.
| Feature | Partner Visa 820 (Stage 1) | Partner Visa 801 (Stage 2) |
|---|---|---|
|
Status |
Provisional |
Permanent Residency |
|
Location |
Onshore |
Onshore assessment |
|
Duration |
~2 years |
Indefinite |
|
Work Rights |
Full |
Unlimited |
|
Next Step |
DHA Stage 2 invitation |
Citizenship eligible |
Source: Department of Home Affairs (DHA) Subclass 820 & 801 Visa Guides.
Partner Visa 801 Eligibility
Congratulations, you are one step closer to a PR if you’ve already cleared up getting the 820. Now, for the Partner Visa 801 visa grant, the key focus is continuity and compliance.
Partner Visa 801 eligibility requires updated evidence across DHA’s four pillars, focusing on the post-820 grant period. Partner visa Australia requirements demand progression proof.
The following criteria should be met for eligibility:
- Already should have a Subclass 820 Visa: You must presently possess the temporary Partner Visa (Subclass 820) to be eligible for the Partner Visa 801.
- The Relationship of the couple should have Continuation: This is a crucial component of your path. To the exclusion of everyone else, your relationship with your sponsor must be sincere and continuous.
- Shared Life: You must continue to either live together, or you must not be living separately on a permanent basis.
- Sponsorship: Your sponsor must maintain their sponsorship (unless one of the legal exceptions in Section VI applies).
- Character and Health: You and all dependents must continue to meet Australia’s health and character requirements.
The Essential Partner Visa 801 Visa Second Stage Checklist
This is the most critical part: the second-stage evidence submission. The DHA will invite you to provide updated evidence via ImmiAccount at your two-year eligibility date. You need to prove your life together has continued and evolved since the 820 grants.
You must provide latest and updated evidence that shows authenticity across the four key legal pillars, covering the entire period since your temporary 820 visa was granted.
- Financial Aspects (The Money Aspect of the Relation)
- Joint Bank Account Statements which show consistent, active use for daily expenses and shared financial transactions.
- Joint Assets which show the evidence of joint ownership of major assets (e.g., house, land, car, major investments).
- Shared Debt/Commitments which can be New Joint Loan, Mortgage Documents, or Joint Insurance Policies.
- The Nature of the Household (Shared Life Experiences)
- Shared Address which includes updated Lease Agreements or Title Deeds showing both names at the same address.
- Joint Bills which can have New Joint Utility Bills (electricity, gas, internet) or correspondence addressed to both partners at the shared address.
- Shared Duties which show authenticity in the shared life of a couple, and they should contain a written statement explaining how household tasks and responsibilities (chores, finances, pet care) are shared.
- Social Aspects (Public Recognition Aspect)
- Statutory Declarations (Form 888): For the Checklist, you should at least have two fresh declarations which should be obtained from Australian citizens or permanent residents who are in favor and familiar with you both and can support for the sincerity of your ongoing connection between the couple.
- Recent Photos & Travel: To demonstrate social closeness and the bond of the relationship, the couple should have pictures of the couple from recent holidays, family get-togethers, or social events that are clearly dated.
- Joint Membership: As a couple most probably have shared and joint memberships. The couple should present proof of shared membership, such as invites sent to you both as a couple or social media tagging.
- Nature of Commitment (The Future)
- Updated Statements: New Statutory Declarations from both the applicant and sponsor detailing the progress of the relationship since the 820 grant and your definite future plans.
- Combined Affairs: The Couple should have the evidence of combined personal affairs (e.g., Wills, Superannuation beneficiaries).
Partner Visa 801 Processing Time:
The clock for the permanent Partner Visa 801 processing time in starts ticking the day you become eligible—two years after your original application date.
Current DHA Timeline (June 2025 Data):
- 50% of applications: Finalized within 8 months.
- 90% of applications: Finalized within 15 months.
| Processing Timeline | Duration |
|---|---|
|
Original 820 Lodgment → Invitation |
~24 months |
|
Form 801 Submission → Grant |
8-15 months (DHA Target) |
|
Fast Track (Decision-Ready) |
8-15 months |
Source: Department of Home Affairs Global Visa Processing Times (June 2025 figures)
Acceleration factors that can help in Partner visa Australia processing time:
- Complete checklist at invitation
- No RFIs (each adds 28+ days)
- Strong progression evidence
Partner Visa 801 Cost
| Applicant Type | Total Cost (Both Stages) | July 2025 Fee |
|---|---|---|
|
Main Applicant |
AUD $9,365 |
Covers 820 + 801 |
|
Adult Dependent |
AUD $4,685 |
Same coverage |
|
Child Under 18 |
AUD $2,345 |
Same coverage |
Source: Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator (Based on 1 July 2025 published fees).
Stage 2 Expenses Only (AUD $500-1,500):
- Police checks: AUD $40-200 per country
- Medicals: AUD $350-500 per person
- Document translations: AUD $50-100 each
The Exception Partner Visa 801 Visa Granted Immediately (The Fast Track)
Did you know you might skip that two-year wait? Under specific, limited circumstances, the DHA can grant both the temporary (820) and permanent (Partner Visa 801) partner visas at the same time. This is the “Partner Visa 801 granted immediately” provision.
This fast-track award is only available to you if your relationship was long-term at the initial phase of your 820/801 application:
- You and your partner were in a long-term relationship for a minimum of three years, and you and your partner were in a sincere and committed relationship for a prolonged period.
- You and your partner had a dependent kid and you and your partner were in a sincere and continuous connection for at least two years.
Kudos to you if you meet the eligibility check! You can bypass the standard relationship test period and jump straight to permanent partner visa subclass 801 status.
Partner Visa 801 Relationship Breakdown Solutions
Life is unpredictable. If your relationship ends after lodging the application but before the permanent Partner Visa 801 is granted, your application is not automatically refused. This addresses the urgent legal query: “Partner Visa 801 visa relationship breakdown.”
You still remain as an eligible candidate for the permanent Partner Visa Subclass 801 if your relationship is not valid due to one of the following three protected legal exceptions provided:
- If the relationship has ended and you or a family member have experienced family violence enforced by the sponsor, then you can still be an eligible candidate.
- If your sponsor dies before the permanent visa is granted. You must demonstrate the relationship was genuine and continuing up until the death, and that you have established close ties in Australia. This condition being verified can also help in the eligibility criteria.
- If the relationship unfortunately ends, but you and your sponsor have a child together who is still a minor, and you retain joint custody, access, or parental responsibility for that child under Australian law. Hence, you can be a eligible candidate.
Crucial Advice: If your relationship breaks down due to any reason, you are legally and compulsorily having to notify the Department of Home Affairs immediately (Form 1022). You should not try to hide this change, consult a migration agent immediately to understand your rights under these exceptions which can help you further in the process.
What Happens After Partner Visa 801 is Granted?
Permanent partner visa 801 unlocks comprehensive PR rights:
- Indefinite residency anywhere in Australia
- Unlimited work/study (no restrictions)
- Immediate Medicare access
- Centrelink benefits (after waiting periods)
- Sponsor family (after 3 years PR)
- 801 visas to citizenship: Eligible after 4 years total residency
Partner Visa Subclass 801 FAQ
Usually, no. However, if there are children under 18 included in the application, or if the sponsor has had new legal issues since they have been granted the 820 visa, the DHA will mandate a new AFP check for the process.
Yes, you can apply for the Partner Visa subclass 801 Visa outside of Australia. While 801 visa is an onshore visa, 2025 policy allows you for the grant to be made while the applicant is briefly overseas (e.g., on holiday), provided the initial 820 was applied for while onshore.
The most common reason for delays in the application process of the Partner Visa subclass 801 is the problem of stale evidence. Many couples upload documents from their 820 applications. For 801, the Case Officer wants to see what has happened since that grant. Using old photos or bank statements from three years ago will trigger an RFI.
The long-term Relationship fast-track works if you can prove you have lived together for 3+ years (or 2+ years with a child) at the time of the initial 820 lodgment, the 801 is often granted within days of the 820.
Yes, you can add a dependent child to your Partner Visa subclass 801 visa but the process depends on the child’s current visa status. If your child was not included in the original Stage 1 (Subclass 820) application, you cannot simply add them to 801 easily. Instead, the child must first apply for a Subclass 445 (Dependent Child) visa.
To secure your permanent residency in Australia, the transition towards the Permanent Subclass 801 from the temporary Subclass 820 requires a lot more than just a continuing relationship between two people, it requires a meticulously and proper documented papers that meets the Department’s highest standards of evidence which can lead to a positive outcome in your application process.
We here at BJay Education and Visa Services, specialize in transforming your married and shared life together into a Decision-Ready application which can change the outcome in a positive manner. With over a decade of experience and a team led by Registered Migration Agents (MARN 1570827), we don’t just fill out forms, we protect your future and secure your stay in Australia. Get a free and non-obligation Consultation today!
Related: Subclass 300, Partner visa 309, Partner Visa 100
