Onshore Partner Visa Subclass 820
Already in Australia and want to stay? Matilda's immigration lawyers manage your complete 820 application from start to finish.
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What is the partner visa subclass 820?
The 820 lets you stay in Australia while your permanent residency is being assessed. You apply for both the 820 and the permanent 801 at the same time - and from the moment you lodge, a Bridging Visa keeps you here legally, with the right to work.
Want the full details? Read our complete 820 visa guide.
Are you eligible for the Subclass 820?
You can apply if you are the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen - and you are currently in Australia on a substantive visa.
Married or spouse
You are legally married to your Australian partner and your marriage is recognised under Australian law. You must be in a genuine and ongoing relationship at the time of application.
What you’ll need:
- Your marriage certificate
- Evidence your relationship is genuine and continuing
- Health and character checks
De facto partner
You have been in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months before lodging, with some exceptions. Your relationship must be genuine, ongoing, and to the exclusion of all others.
What you’ll need:
- Evidence that you are de facto
- Evidence your relationship is genuine and continuing
- Health and character checks
De facto evidence: what the Department of Home Affairs looks for
To approve a partner visa, the Department of Home Affairs needs to be satisfied that your relationship is genuine and ongoing. To make that assessment, they look at your life together across four distinct areas: financial, household, social, and commitment.
This isn't a simple checklist. The Department of Home Affairs is looking for a coherent picture of two people who have genuinely built a shared life - and they're experienced at spotting applications that feel thin or unconvincing in one or more areas. A strong application tells a consistent story across all four categories, with each one reinforcing the others.
That's why how you present your evidence matters as much as what you include. An immigration lawyer who regularly prepares partner visa applications understands what the Department of Home Affairs expects to see, where applicants commonly fall short, and how to frame your relationship in a way that holds up to review.
*If your relationship is newer than 12 months, long-distance, or involves complex circumstances - previous relationships, children from prior relationships, short cohabitation - Matilda's immigration lawyers will assess your specific situation and advise on whether your application is strong enough to lodge.
Your complete 820 partner visa application - handled by Matilda's immigration lawyers
A partner visa application is not just a form- it is a legal case that needs to convince the Department of Home Affairs that your relationship is genuine. Matilda's immigration lawyers build that case for you from start to finish.
1. Take the eligibility quiz
Answer a few simple questions to find which visa is right for you and whether you're eligible to apply with Matilda.
2. Have a consult with an immigration lawyer
Attend a 20 minute, obligation-free call with one of our case managers.
3. Get your personalised evidence plan
Receive a personalised plan for how to secure your visa, covering evidence requirements, timelines and more.
4. We’ll do the heavy lifting for you
You provide the basic info, then we do the heavy lifting - drafting your relationship statements, building your evidence, creating evidence albums and completing all legal forms.
5. Final review and lodgement
Your application undergoes multiple reviews from our immigration lawyers before being lodged with the Department of Home Affairs.
6. Receive post-lodgement support
We'll keep you updated on your visa processing time and support you with post-lodgement tasks like organising your medical exam and Medicare enrollment.
Get your visa!
Why our clients choose Matilda for their 820 Partner Visa
Immigration lawyers - not migration agents
Your 820 application is handled by qualified immigration lawyers at every stage. You work directly with a lawyer who knows your case.
No visa, no fee
If your Subclass 820 application is unsuccessful, Matilda refunds our legal fees. We offer this because we assess every application thoroughly before we start - if your application isn't strong enough, we'll tell you honestly before taking any payment.
Your full application built for you
We don't give you a task list and leave you to it. We assess your situation, build the evidence, review every document, and lodge the application. You focus on your relationship; we focus on your visa.
De facto specialists
De facto applications require a different legal approach to married couple applications. Our immigration lawyers understand what case officers look for, what evidence is legally sufficient, and how to present complex relationship histories including newer relationships, long-distance situations, and previous relationships.
Complex cases and refusals
If your 820 application was previously refused, or your situation is complicated - previous visa issues, short relationship, offshore circumstances - speak to our lawyers before assuming the door is closed.
Unlimited support
If your 820 application was previously refused, or your situation is complicated - previous visa issues, short relationship, offshore circumstances - speak to our lawyers before assuming the door is closed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I stay in Australia while my 820 visa is being processed?
Yes - this is the core purpose of the onshore partner visa pathway. Once your Subclass 820 application is lodged, you'll receive a Bridging Visa A if your current visa expires during processing. This lets you remain in Australia lawfully, work, and study while the Department assesses your case. Matilda's immigration lawyers organise your Bridging Visa A as part of the lodgement process.
Can I work while waiting for my partner visa?
In most cases, yes. Your Bridging Visa A typically includes full work rights, allowing you to continue working without restriction. The exact conditions depend on the visa you held when you lodged your 820 application. Your Matilda immigration lawyer will confirm your specific work entitlements at lodgement so there is no ambiguity.
How long does the Subclass 820 take to process?
820 visa processing times vary widely. The Department does not publish guaranteed timelines, and onshore partner visa applications are currently taking anywhere from 12 to 29 months depending on individual circumstances and the Department's caseload. The completeness and quality of your application affects processing - a decision-ready application prepared by an immigration lawyer is less likely to generate requests for further information, which can add months to the process.
What evidence do I need for a de facto partner visa?
De facto evidence covers four categories: financial (joint accounts, shared bills, financial interdependence), household (shared lease, utility bills, evidence of living together), social (statutory declarations from people who know you as a couple, photographs), and commitment (relationship statements, shared plans, travel records). The legal sufficiency of your evidence matters more than the quantity. Matilda's immigration lawyers give you a personalised plan for your specific relationship, not a generic checklist.
We haven't been together long - can we still apply for the 820?
Possibly - but the requirements are more complex for newer de facto relationships. There is no strict minimum duration for an 820 de facto application, but the Department will scrutinise the evidence more closely when the relationship is recent. Your Matilda immigration lawyer will assess your specific situation and advise honestly on whether your application is legally strong enough to lodge - and what you can do to strengthen it if not.
Can I travel while my 820 application is being processed?
Not without first obtaining a Bridging Visa B. A standard Bridging Visa A does not allow you to leave Australia and return - if you depart without a BVB, your bridging visa ceases and you will not be able to re-enter. If you need to travel during processing, speak to Matilda before booking any flights. Our lawyers will manage your Bridging Visa B application.
My partner visa application was previously refused. Can I apply again?
A refusal does not automatically bar you from applying again, but the pathway forward depends on the reason for the refusal, whether you pursued a review at the Administrative Review Tribunal, and your current circumstances. Matilda's immigration lawyers work with complex cases including previous refusals and ART appeals. We will assess your situation honestly and tell you whether a fresh application is legally viable and what would need to be different.
Ready to apply for your onshore partner visa?
Matilda's immigration lawyers handle your entire Subclass 820 application - evidence, lodgement, and everything in between. No visa, no fee.
