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Partner visa (Permanent)
The permanent residency stages for onshore (801) and offshore (100) partner visa holders, offering full work, study, and living rights in Australia.
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For Partner Visa(Permanent)
Move from temporary to permanent residency
The Subclass 801 visa is the permanent stage of the onshore Partner visa pathway for people who already hold, or applied for, a Subclass 820 Partner (Temporary) visa and remain in a genuine, ongoing relationship with their Australian partner.
Pathway to Australian citizenship
Time spent on your temporary 820 visa generally counts towards the permanent residency and citizenship residence requirements, meaning the 801 visa is a key step towards becoming an Australian citizen.
Live in Australia indefinitely with your partner
Once granted, the 801 visa gives you full permanent residency – you can live in Australia indefinitely, work in any occupation, study at domestic rates where eligible, and enrol in Medicare.
No new visa charge, just updated evidence
You don’t pay a new government visa application charge for the 801 stage. Instead, the Department reassesses your combined 820/801 application, usually around the two-year mark, based on fresh relationship, character and compliance evidence.
Requirements for Partner visa(Permanent) Subclass 801 & 100
Your sponsor must be your spouse or de facto partner who is an Australian citizen,Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, and their sponsorship must still be valid(no sponsorship bans or limitations).
You must have previously lodged a combined Subclass 820/801 Partner visa application while in Australia andusually hold the temporary Partner visa (Subclass 820) when the 801 stage is assessed.
You and your sponsor must still be in a genuine, continuing married, de facto or registered relationship,with shared financial, household, social and commitment evidence since your 820 grant.Limited exceptions apply (e.g. family violence, death of the sponsor, or where you share a child together).
In most cases, at least 2 years must have passed since you lodged the combined 820/801 application before theDepartment starts assessing you for the permanent 801 stage.This waiting period may be waived for long-term relationships or certain compassionate circumstances.
Department can make a decision on your visa whether you are in Australia or overseas at that time.
You must have complied with Australian laws and any conditions on your temporary 820 or bridging visa, and you andyour sponsor must continue to meet character requirements.The Department can refuse the 801 if there is serious non-compliance or misleading information.
Applicants and family members must maintain OSHC for the entire stay.Any outstanding debts to the Australian Government must be paid in full or you must have a formal repaymentarrangement in place before the 801 can be granted.
We’re in Our Clients’ Hearts
Excellence speaks for itself—our clients’ emotions tell the story.
Knowbal Migration's spouse visa services were handled with patience, consistency, and genuine commitment throughout. Referred by a trusted family friend, the experience exceeded expectations in every way. Their professionalism and dedication to each case embody exactly what their name implies — they are truly knowledgeable.
Knowbal Migration's support during the spouse visa process was exceptional from start to finish. Trushenbhai and his team handled everything efficiently, ensuring the visa was approved without a single issue. Their reliability and professionalism make them a highly recommended choice for any migration matter.
Knowbal Migration's expertise and unwavering dedication made a significant difference throughout the wife's visa journey, even when paperwork confusion arose. Trushen Bhai's patience and clear explanations were instrumental in navigating the process successfully. Their professionalism and attention to detail are deeply appreciated and unreservedly recommended.
Trushen Bhai at Knowbal Migration and Education provided remarkable support throughout the wife's visa process — offering clear guidance, answering every question, and ensuring all documentation was submitted correctly. His expertise and dedication turned what could have been a stressful journey into a smooth and successful experience.
Trushen Bhatt and Knowbal Education provided outstanding, transparent support throughout the wife's visa process. His professionalism, in-depth knowledge, and patient guidance made every step smooth and stress-free. All documentation was handled with precision, ensuring the process felt organized and efficient. Genuinely recommended for anyone needing visa assistance.
Exceptional support from Niravbhai and Aleeha for our partner visa. Professional, responsive, and detail-oriented throughout the process. Their clear communication made everything stress-free. Highly recommend Knowbal Migration.
The Knowbal Visa Application Process
We start by reviewing your study history, current visa status, and eligibility for the Temporary Graduate Visa. This personalised consultation helps us understand your situation and plan the best application approach for you.
Once we assess your case, you’ll be assigned a dedicated migration expert. This professional will be your main point of contact, guiding you through each step and answering your questions promptly.
Gathering and organising your documents correctly is critical. Knowbal helps you prepare all necessary paperwork, including your Confirmation of Enrolment, academic transcripts, proof of completion, health insurance, and identity documents to avoid delays or errors.
We lodge your visa application on your behalf with the Department of Home Affairs, ensuring everything complies with visa requirements and your information is accurately presented.
Throughout the processing period, Knowbal monitors your application and keeps you informed. Should the Department request additional information, we will assist you promptly to ensure a smooth process.
Frequently Asked Questions
In many cases the Department will email you when it’s time to provide updated information, but this can easily be missed or delayed. If it’s been around two years since you lodged your combined 820/801 application and you haven’t heard anything, it’s smart to:
- log in to ImmiAccount and check for messages or “Further information required”, and
- prepare updated relationship, police and travel evidence in case the file is picked up.
We can review your file and, if needed, help you lodge a front-loaded 801 submission so the officer has everything they need when they open your case.
This is sensitive but important. If your relationship has broken down while you’re on the 820, you mustn’t just ignore it. In some situations (for example, where there is family violence or you share a child with your sponsor) you may still be eligible to continue with the 801 on your own. In others, it may be safer to withdraw and explore another visa or return strategy. The key is to get confidential advice early, before the Department makes a decision based on incomplete or outdated information.
You don’t usually resubmit everything from your 820, but the Department expects fresh evidence covering the period since your 820 was granted – bank statements, lease, bills, travel together, photos, social evidence, future plans, etc. Think of it as telling the “second half” of your relationship story. We help you sort what to keep, what to update, and how to present it so the officer can quickly see that your relationship is still genuine and ongoing.
Yes, you can travel overseas while your 801 is being assessed. There’s usually no bridging visa between the 820 and 801 stages, because your 820 stays valid until the 801 decision is made.
Just make sure your 820 travel facility is still active for your trip, and keep basic evidence that your relationship continued while apart (tickets, messages, call logs, photos). If you want, we can quickly check your 820 travel validity before you book.
Name changes are common, but they must be properly recorded. Make sure your passport, driver licence and key documents match, and upload evidence of the name change (marriage certificate, change-of-name certificate) to ImmiAccount. Getting this right now helps avoid problems later with citizenship, Medicare, ATO, super, banking and university records. We can review your identity documents and suggest what to update before the 801 is granted.
The 801 stage focuses more on the genuine relationship than your partner’s current salary, but big changes (job loss, Centrelink, relocation to another city or state) can raise questions about how you manage your life together. It’s important to explain these changes clearly in your 801 submission and show how you’re handling finances, housing and future plans as a couple. We help you frame this so normal life changes don’t look like relationship problems.
Once your 801 is granted, you become a permanent resident, and your time on the 820 usually counts towards the residence requirement for citizenship. That means the way you manage travel days, work, study and tax residency now can affect when you’re eligible to apply for citizenship later. During the 801 stage we often map out a post-grant plan with you – including travel, study/HECS, home-loan plans and eventual citizenship – so your migration pathway supports your broader life goals, not just the visa grant.
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