PR Pathway via the Partner Visa 820/801 (Married, De Facto)
The onshore partner visa is a pathway to permanent residence (PR) through a married or de facto relationship with an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. This is a two-stage pathway: you lodge one application but it is assessed across two stages — the temporary 820 visa first, then the permanent 801 visa. This article summarises the pathway and the numbers you need to check for yourself on official sources.
Who is this pathway for?
The 820/801 pathway suits people already in Australia who have a genuine, long-term married or de facto relationship with an eligible sponsor. The focus of this stream is not skills or points, but evidence of a genuine relationship — you need to show that the two of you live together as a committed couple, to the exclusion of others.
If you are outside Australia, the corresponding pathway is the offshore partner 309/100. If you intend to marry but have not yet married and your partner is not yet in Australia, read about the Prospective Marriage visa 300.
The starting point
The starting point of this pathway is an eligible relationship with the sponsor and evidence that the relationship is genuine and ongoing. You need to establish whether you are eligible to apply onshore (820/801) or should go offshore, and to start gathering relationship evidence as early as possible — because this is the part scrutinised most closely. To understand which kinds of evidence are persuasive, see the guide to relationship evidence for partner visas.
The steps to permanent residence
Step 1 — Prepare your relationship evidence. Assemble evidence across the four aspects of the relationship commonly assessed: the financial aspect, the nature of the household, the social aspect, and the nature of your commitment to each other.
Step 2 — Lodge the partner application (820/801). You lodge one application for both visas, together with the sponsor’s sponsorship application and the evidence of your relationship.
Step 3 — Be granted the temporary 820 visa. If the first stage is met, you receive the 820 visa — a temporary visa allowing you to stay, work and study in Australia while the second stage is assessed.
Step 4 — Assessment of the 801 stage. After a period of time, Home Affairs assesses the permanent stage. You will usually need to update your evidence to show the relationship is still ongoing.
Step 5 — Be granted PR (801). If the second stage is met, you receive the 801 visa — a permanent visa, allowing you to live and work anywhere in Australia.
Fees and the numbers to check
The main application fee for the onshore partner stream for the primary applicant currently sits at 11,710 AUD. This is the first instalment for most applicants; in some cases there may be a further second instalment arising at the later stage. This figure also does not include fees for accompanying dependants, health examinations, translations and the cost of preparing your file — so budget for a wider total cost.
The remaining elements of this pathway change over time, so this article does not state fixed figures:
- The interval from the grant of the 820 to the point the 801 is assessed — check on Home Affairs.
- The English-language requirement (where applicable) — check on Home Affairs.
- Conditions and limits on the sponsor — check on Home Affairs.
- Processing times — check the updated figures on Home Affairs.
The decisive factor
The single biggest decisive factor of the 820/801 pathway is the quality of your evidence of a genuine relationship, at both stages. A genuine relationship that is poorly documented can still run into difficulty; conversely, consistent evidence that spans time and covers all the aspects makes the file robust. Because the 801 stage is assessed later, maintaining and updating your evidence throughout the waiting period is just as important as the initial lodgement.
Risks and common mistakes
- Thin or one-sided relationship evidence. Focusing only on finances while neglecting the social aspect, or vice versa, makes the file unconvincing.
- Forgetting to update for the 801 stage. Many people prepare carefully for the 820 but become complacent when the 801 assessment comes around.
- An ineligible sponsor. The sponsor’s eligibility and sponsorship history can affect the file.
- Inconsistent declarations. Information about the relationship must match the evidence and the statements of both parties.
When to consult an RMA
You should consider consulting a Registered Migration Agent (RMA) registered with OMARA when: your relationship has complicating factors (a short relationship, a prior divorce to address, geographical distance, or cultural differences that need explaining); your file has sensitive factors around health, character or visa history; or you are not sure whether your evidence is strong enough yet. An RMA assesses your actual case — this article does not.
Learn more
- Partner visa 820/801: how to build relationship evidence
- Offshore partner visa 309/100
- Overview map of PR pathways
The 820/801 pathway rewards couples who document their relationship methodically and consistently. Start gathering evidence early, maintain it across both stages, and check every condition against official sources before you lodge.
Last updated: 13/06/2026. Migration rules change frequently — always check official sources.