The onshore partner visa is for a married partner or a de facto partner of an Australian citizen or permanent resident or an eligible Newzealand citizen, who wants to live in Australia permanently.
Similar to the Offshore partner visa, this is also sequential in which the temporary visa (Subclass 820) is granted first and the permanent visa (Subclass 801) is granted within the next two years on successful application.
You must be in Australia while lodging the application for this visa and also at the time of granting this visa. In order to successfully obtain this visa, you need to prove your relationship is genuine and ongoing.
Your sponsoring partner must also lodge a sponsorship application to prove they are qualified to be your sponsor. Here are the general requirements to apply for the onshore partner visa.
To obtain this visa as a married applicant:
- you and your spouse must both be committed to a shared life together to the exclusion of all others
- your relationship with your spouse must be genuine and continuing
- you must live with your spouse or do not live apart on a permanent basis
- your marriage must be valid under Australian law
To obtain this visa as a de facto partner
- you and your partner are in a de facto relationship if all these apply:
- you are not married to each other
- you are committed to a shared life to the exclusion of all others
- your relationship is genuine and continuing
- you live together or do not live separately and apart on a permanent basis
- you are not related by family
Your de facto relationship must have been at least 12 months long, immediately before you apply for the visa. You can be exempted from this 12-month requirement if you have compelling and compassionate circumstances to be granted the subclass 820 visa.
How to apply for the onshore partner permanent visa (Subclass 801)?
You need to apply for both visas combined. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will be granted the temporary visa first and in the next two years, your permanent visa application will be assessed. In some cases, if you have been in a longtime relationship with your sponsoring partner, you could be immediately granted the permanent visa.
General eligibility for Subclass 820:
- You must be 18 years of age or older
- You must be a spouse or a de facto partner of an Australian citizen or permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen
- Your de facto relationship must have existed for at least 12 months immediately before you apply for the visa
- If you are married, your marriage must be valid under Australian law
- You or your relatives have no outstanding debts to the Australian government
- You must meet health and character requirements
What can you do with this visa?
- You can stay in Australia until a decision on your permanent Partner visa (subclass 801) is made or the application is withdrawn
- You can work in Australia
- You can study in Australia (you will not receive any government support)
- You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want
- You can enrol in Medicare, Australia's public health care scheme
Cost of Application
If you are a Prospective Marriage visa (Subclass 300) holder, the cost of the application is AUD1,310. If you held the prospective marriage visa but did not apply for an onshore partner visa, then the fee is AUD1,660. For all other applicants, the fee is AUD 7850 for the main applicant and it covers both visas (Subclass 820 and 801).
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