Partner Visa (820/801)

What is a Partner Visa in Australia?

A partner visa in Australia lets a person come, work and study in Australia if the person is a spouse or a de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. The visa system is the only way that partners and fiancees who have the need to develop their family lives in Australia can be granted temporary visas at the beginning of their stay and then be given permanent ones further down the line.

This visa recognises and encourages family integrity, and increases and develops family ties with Australia, highlighting this country’s dedication to multicultural families. It covers any couple who are legally married with a spouse visa as well as those civil partnerships including the same sex. Partner visa is also a two-visa scheme where the applicant first gets a temporary visa (subclass 820) followed by a permanent visa (subclass 821) if he or she meets certain requirements within the temporary visa period.

This way, Australia avails itself of this visa to maintain family unity and love ones and, at the same time, offer an opportunity for successful integration into Australian society.

Types of Partner Visa

In Australia, applicants use one application for a temporary partner visa Subclass 820, and a permanent partner visa Subclass 821. These visas are composed of a two-part sequence with the temporary visa being the first step toward gaining a permanent resident visa. Let us explore the two subclasses in detail:

Partner Visa (Temporary) Subclass 820

The partner visa can be applied for in two primary categories and thus the first one is called the Subclass 820 Visa. This visa enables applicants to be in Australia temporarily as they wait for a permanent visa decision to be made. The purpose of this visa is to primarily provide temporary status where the applicant expects to gain eligibility for permanent status in the near future. At this time they are allowed to work and enjoy many other privileges in Australia provided they meet certain conditions.

Nonetheless, with Subclass 820, applicants are allowed to live in Australia while waiting for the partner visa subclass to be processed. This visa takes 6-28 months to process depending on the case a client presents and how detailed the application is. This visa also entitles the applicants to access Medicare – Australia’s universal health care system, work and study during the time the decision is being processed.

Partner Visa (Permanent) Subclass 821

The Subclass 821 Visa is the second and last part of the partner visa categories that allow the applicant to permanently reside in Australia. Once the applicant has proven the continuing relationship and undergone all the legal requirements, the applicant migrates from a temporary Subclass 820 visa to a Subclass 821 visa.

Further, the Subclass 821 visa enables visa holders to live in Australia permanently together with the privilege of working and studying within the country. Along with full Medicare entitlement, this visa brings social security and a chance to apply for Australian citizenship after meeting living residency. Although times to process the permanent partner visa differ, they usually take between 10 to 26 months within which the applicant must meet the necessary requirements.

Eligibility Criteria for Temporary Visa

As for the Subclass 820 visa, the couple is required to prove the existence of their relationship. This includes substantiation of finance issues, living together and other socially acceptable documentation that received parties are in a relationship. If applicants are in a de facto relationship, they must have lived together for at least one year before applying unless there are circumstances beyond the parties control.

Its rules anticipate that the applicants live together or, if apart, demonstrate that they are apart temporarily and are not experiencing relationship problems. Moreover, they have to satisfy both the health and character requirements for entry into Australia or applying for a visa request, having medical tests and police reports.

Eligibility Criteria for Permanent Visa

Permanent visa applicants need to satisfy the requirements which have been set down regarding the Subclass 821 visa at the temporary visa stage. It has to produce fresh documents to confirm a continued relationship to prevent the accounts from being fabricated and fake.

Another requirement of the permanent partner visa is compliance with the law in Australia, and provision of new character reports where necessary. The applicant and their sponsoring partner have to maintain their relationship from the period in which the permanent visa is being processed.