Subclass 801(Partner Visa)

Permanent Partner Visa (Subclass 801)Settle in Australia

The Permanent Partner visa (subclass 801) is the final step in your Australian partner visa journey. It allows the spouse or de facto partner of an eligible Australian citizen,permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live permanently in Australia.

This visa follows the Temporary Partner visa (subclass 820) and is typically granted two years after you apply for both the temporary and permanent stages.

Stay:Live in Australia Permanently

The subclass 801 visa gives you permanent residency in Australia. With this visa, you can:

Live in Australia indefinitely.

Work and study without any restrictions.

Travel in and out of Australia as often as you like.

Sponsor eligible family members for Australian visas.

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Cost of the Visa:

There is no additional charge for the permanent Partner visa (subclass 801), as the visa application charge is paid at the time of applying for the combined 820/801 partner visa application.

However, if circumstances change and a separate application is required later, a new fee may apply in some cases.

Processing Times:

The processing of the subclass 801 visa starts from your eligibility date, which is two years after the date you submitted your combined subclass 820/801 application.

To check the most up-to-date processing times, use the Visa Processing Time Guide Tool.

Note: The timeline is an estimate and can vary depending on your personal situation and the completeness of your application.

Eligibility Criteria:

To be granted a Permanent Partner visa (subclass 801), you must:

Hold a Temporary Partner visa (subclass 820) or Dependent Child visa (subclass 445).

In most cases,continue to be in a genuine and ongoing relationship with your sponsoring partner.

Continue to meet health and character requirements.

Respond to any requests for additional information or updated evidence of your relationship, if required by the Department of Home Affairs.

What You Can Do on a Subclass 801 vs. 820 Visa?

In addition to the rights you had under the temporary subclass 820 visa (such as working, studying, and accessing Medicare), the subclass 801 gives you:

Permanent resident status.

The ability to sponsor others, including your partner's children or other close family.

A clear pathway to Australian citizenship.

What You Can Do on This Visa?

As a permanent resident holding the 801 visa, you are entitled to:

Live, work, and study in Australia without restriction

Access Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system

Sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia

Travel freely to and from Australia for 5 years (see below)

Attend free English language classes through the Adult Migrant English Program (if eligible)

Apply for Australian citizenship, if you meet the eligibility requirements

This visa gives you the same rights as other Australian permanent residents.

How Long You Can Stay?

This is a permanent visa. You officially become a permanent resident on the date your visa is granted.

As a permanent resident, you have ongoing rights to live in Australia, but your travel rights have a limited validity (explained below).

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Travel on Your Visa:

Your subclass 801 visa includes a 5-year travel facility. This means you can:

Travel in and out of Australia as many times as you like for 5 years from the date your visa is granted.

After 5 years, the travel facility will expire. If you wish to continue travelling internationally and return to Australia as a permanent resident, you must apply for a Resident Return Visa (RRV).

Use the VEVO system to check when your travel facility ends.

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If you hold a New Zealand passport and you are granted the subclass 801 visa:

Tell the immigration officer at the border that you are a permanent visa holder and do NOT want to be granted a Special Category visa (subclass 444).

If you are granted a subclass 444 visa on arrival, it may override your 801 visa and affect your eligibility for Australian citizenship.

Sponsoring Family Members:

Once the subclass 801 visa is granted, you cannot add family members to your visa application.

However, as a permanent resident, you may be able to sponsor eligible family members (such as a partner, children, or parents) to migrate to Australia through separate family visa streams.

Need Help with Your Application?

Getting support from a registered migration agent can make your journey smoother and help avoid delays. If you're getting assistance, ensure your representative is registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA).

Learn more: Who can help with your visa application.

What’s Next?

If you're already holding a subclass 820 visa and approaching your 2-year eligibility date, now is the time to:

Prepare updated relationship evidence (if required).

Stay informed about timelines and requirements.

Reach out for professional guidance if you need support with the transition to permanent residency.

Contact us today or book a consultation to secure your future in Australia.