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SUBCLASS 801 VISA
Subclass 801 Partner Permanent Visa Australia
Secure your future together by transitioning from temporary to permanent residency. Our registered MARN migration agents guide you through Subclass 801 eligibility, expertly audit your 801 visa relationship evidence, and manage your Stage 2 onshore partner visa Australia lodgement to ensure a smooth transition.
Registered
Migration Professionals
2 Years
Eligibility Wait Period
8–26 Mo.
Stage 2 Processing Time
PR
Permanent Residency Outcome
CORE CRITERIA
Subclass 801 Eligibility Requirements
The 801 visa Australia is the second and final stage of the onshore pathway. To qualify for the Partner Permanent Visa Australia, you must satisfy the Department of Home Affairs that your relationship is ongoing.
Current Visa Status
You must already hold the temporary Subclass 820 visa, or have been granted a Subclass 820 visa before being assessed for the permanent stage.
Two-Year Waiting Period
You are eligible to be assessed for the 801 permanent visa exactly 2 years (24 months) after the date you lodged your initial combined 820/801 application.
Genuine & Continuing Relationship
You must prove that your marriage or de facto relationship with your Australian sponsor is still genuine, continuing, and exclusive of all others.
Updated Relationship Evidence
You must provide updated four-pillar evidence detailing your shared life and financial commitments during the time since your temporary visa was granted.
Sponsor Approval Maintained
Your sponsor must continue to meet character requirements and remain eligible to sponsor you for permanent residency.
Character Clearances
You may be asked to provide an updated Australian Federal Police (AFP) check or overseas police certificates before the final decision is made.
Avoid Common Disqualifying Mistakes: Assuming the permanent stage is granted automatically after two years without submitting an updated Stage 2 assessment, or failing to promptly notify the Department if your relationship breaks down, can result in immediate visa refusal or cancellation.
STEP-BY-STEP
How We Handle Your Stage 2 Assessment
We manage your complete transition to permanent residency, ensuring your updated evidence cleanly proves an ongoing commitment.
01
Eligibility Date Tracking
We confirm the exact date you become eligible—24 months from your original combined lodgement—to begin preparing your Stage 2 assessment.
02
Evidence Assembly
We compile your updated four-pillar evidence covering the entire period since your temporary 820 visa was granted.
03
Statutory Declarations
We secure fresh Form 888 witness statements and draft updated sponsor and applicant declarations detailing your shared life.
04
Stage 2 ImmiAccount Lodgement
We formally submit the Stage 2 Permanent Partner Visa assessment through your ImmiAccount, attaching all recent documentation.
05
Permanent Residency Grant
We liaise with the Department to finalize any remaining character checks, securing your Subclass 801 grant and indefinite stay in Australia.
EVIDENCE CHECKLIST
801 Visa Relationship Evidence
Your Stage 2 assessment requires proof that your relationship has continued to develop. Below are the key documents needed to finalize your residency.
Updated Financial & Household Proofs
- Recent joint bank statements showing shared expenses
- Current joint lease agreements, property titles, or mortgage documents
- Recent utility bills issued in both names at your shared address
- Updated statements regarding the division of domestic responsibilities
Social Context & Commitment
- New Form 888 statutory declarations from eligible Australian witnesses
- Photographs from recent holidays, family gatherings, and social events
- Proof of major joint purchases, shared assets, or updated wills
- Evidence of communication during any periods of separation
Personal & Legal Records
- Updated applicant and sponsor statutory declarations confirming the relationship
- Current passport bio-data pages for all applicants
- New Australian Federal Police (AFP) national police checks if requested
- Birth certificates of any children born since the 820 visa was granted
INVESTMENT & TIMELINES
Partner Visa Australia Processing Time & Costs
Understanding the final stage timelines helps couples plan their long-term future and citizenship applications in Australia.
Department of Home Affairs Fees
No Extra Stage 2 Fee
Do I need to reapply for the 801 visa separately? You do not pay a new application charge for Stage 2. The combined visa fee is AUD $9,385, which was paid when you lodged your initial 820/801 application.
* You must still formally submit the Stage 2 assessment to finalize the permanent visa process.
Our Agency Service Fee
Case-Dependent
Our professional service fees are tailored to the complexity of your Stage 2 assessment. We evaluate the strength of your recent cohabitation records, financial updates, and any potential changes in circumstances before providing a fixed quote.
* Our fee covers evidence audits, updated statutory declarations, and ImmiAccount submission.
Typical Processing Timelines
8 – 26 Months
How long does the 801 partner visa take? Processing times typically range from 8 to 26 months from the date you submit your Stage 2 documents (after reaching your two-year eligibility date).
* Clean, decision-ready applications with strong updated evidence tend to be processed significantly faster.
MARN 2619225
Why Work With a Migration Agent for the 801 Visa?
What's the difference between 820 and 801 visa? While the 820 visa grants temporary residency, the Subclass 801 is the critical final hurdle that secures your indefinite stay in Australia. Many couples mistakenly believe the permanent stage is granted automatically once two years have passed. Failing to proactively submit updated evidence can result in significant processing delays or Departmental requests for further information.
A frequent cause of Stage 2 complications is providing thin or uneven evidence across the four pillars for the period after the temporary visa was granted. Case officers expect to see that your financial integration and social recognition have deepened over time. Furthermore, if a relationship breakdown or family violence has occurred since the 820 grant, specific legal provisions must be navigated immediately to protect the applicant's permanent residency pathway.
As registered MARN professionals, we represent couples transitioning to the permanent stage. We conduct a thorough audit of your updated relationship documentation, draft compelling statutory declarations, and ensure your Stage 2 assessment is decision-ready—securing your permanent residency and paving the way for your future citizenship application.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear, direct answers regarding the permanent stage of the onshore partner visa process.
What is the Subclass 801 visa?
The Subclass 801 visa is the second and final stage of the onshore partner visa process. It grants full permanent residency to the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
What's the difference between 820 and 801 visa?
The 820 visa is the temporary stage that allows you to live in Australia while your permanent visa is evaluated. The 801 visa is the permanent stage that grants you indefinite residency. Both are applied for simultaneously, but evaluated sequentially.
Is the 801 visa automatic after 2 years?
No. Exactly two years after your combined application was lodged, you become eligible for the permanent stage. However, you must actively submit updated 801 visa relationship evidence to prove your relationship is still genuine and continuing.
Do I need to reapply for the 801 visa separately?
You do not submit a completely new application or pay a new Department fee. However, you must log into your ImmiAccount and submit a 'Stage 2 - Permanent Partner Visa Assessment' with fresh evidence spanning the time since your 820 visa was granted.
How long does the 801 partner visa take?
Partner visa Australia processing time for the 801 stage typically ranges from 8 to 26 months after the two-year eligibility date is reached, depending on the completeness of the updated evidence provided.
Can I apply for citizenship after the 801 visa?
Yes. Once your Subclass 801 visa is granted, you are an Australian permanent resident. Once you meet the general residence requirements (usually 4 years of lawful stay in Australia, including at least 12 months as a PR), you can apply for Australian citizenship.
Ready to Finalize Your Permanent Residency?
Speak directly with registered MARN migration agents in Melbourne. Send us a message on WhatsApp to discuss your two-year eligibility date, updated relationship evidence, and Stage 2 lodgement strategy.