Applying for this Visa

These pages provide information to help you understand and apply for this visa. Before you apply for this visa, you should also read the Partner Migration information booklet.
See: Booklet 1 Partner Migration

You must be in Australia when:

• you apply for this visa
• your Partner (temporary) visa (subclass 820) is granted.

You may be either outside Australia or in Australia when your Partner (permanent) visa (subclass 801) is granted.

Applying for temporary and permanent visas

You apply for both a temporary visa and a permanent visa by completing and lodging one application. If you:

• meet all the legal criteria for the grant of the visa, you will be eligible for the grant of a Partner (temporary) visa (subclass 820). This visa remains in effect until a decision is made on your permanent visa, which is usually considered two years after you initially applied for your visa.
• still meet all legal requirements when your application is considered after the waiting period, you will be eligible for the grant of a Partner (permanent) visa (subclass 801).

Application charge

There is an application charge for this visa. This will usually not be refunded if your application is unsuccessful, or if you decide to withdraw your application after you have lodged it. The application charge covers you and all dependent family members included in your application.
See: Charges (Fees)
Note: You pay only one application charge even though:

• by completing the application form, you automatically apply for a temporary and permanent visa at the same time
• you include dependent members of your family unit in your visa application.

You do not need to pay a further visa application charge when your permanent visa is considered.

Other costs

You will be required to pay for any health examinations. You may be required to pay a charge for obtaining police checks. This charge varies from country to country. When you are required to obtain your own police checks, you are personally responsible for all arrangements. You should also be prepared to pay other costs associated with your application, such as the cost of translations of some documents.

Application checklist

The application checklist details the information and supporting documents that you and your sponsor must provide with your visa application forms.
See: Application Document Checklist Partner visa checklist ( 53KB PDF file)
Note: This checklist is only for the processing of Partner (temporary) visa (subclass 820). If you are the holder of a Partner (temporary) visa (subclass 820), the department will provide you with a checklist when you are eligible for the Partner (permanent) visa (subclass 801).
See: After You Lodge Your Application

Application forms

Complete the application form and attach all necessary documentation.
See:
Form 47SP Application for migration to Australia by a partner (556KB PDF file)
Form 40SP Sponsorship for a partner to migrate to Australia (255KB PDF file)
Form 47A Details of child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over (238KB PDF file)

Note: These forms are to be completed only if you are applying for a Partner (temporary) visa (subclass 820). You do not need to fill in these forms if you are already the holder of a Partner (temporary) visa (subclass 820) and you are eligible for a Partner (permanent) visa (subclass 801).
See: After You Lodge Your Application

Information to help prepare your application

More information is available on certifying and translating documents, communicating with the department, using a migration agent, authorising another person to receive information from the department, and receiving assistance with your application.
See: Information to Help Prepare Your Application

Including dependent family members in your application

There is important additional information that you should read if you are lodging a visa application that includes dependent family members.
See: Including Dependent Family Members in Your Application

You must provide evidence of their dependency on you.
See: Evidence of Dependency

How and where to lodge your application

You should lodge your application by post or courier to a Partner Processing Centre. The Partner Processing Centre at which you should lodge your application will be determined on the basis of the state or territory you live in on the date of your application.
See: Partner Processing Centres

As the applicant, you must lodge the appropriate application forms, together with all necessary supporting documentation and application charges.

After you lodge your application

Information about what happens after you have lodged your application is available.
See: After You Lodge Your Application

Further details about partner visas

Further details about partner visas are available.
See: More Information