Joint bank account, shared lease, utility bills in both names, statutory declarations, photos together over time, joint travel bookings
Sucblass 820 Onshore Partner Visa
Partner Visa Lawyers
Apply in Australia. Stay in Australia. Permanent next.
The Subclass 820 is the temporary stage of Australia's onshore partner visa. It lets you remain lawfully in Australia while your relationship is assessed, with the Subclass 801 permanent visa to follow.
2-Day Cooling-Off Period
No Pressure to Sign
Transparent Fees
Payment Plans Available
LGBTIQ+ Welcome
Licensed & Registered Migration Law Practice
How the 820 Partner Visa Works
Our Guarantee
No Visa?
No Fee.
We're so confident in our work that if your standard partner visa application is refused, you don't pay our professional fees.
This isn't a gimmick — it's our commitment to only taking on cases we believe in and doing the work properly. When we accept your matter, we're invested in your success.
The MML Guarantee
Visa refused? Full fee refund
- Covers standard Partner Visa 820/801 applications
- Covers standard Partner Visa 309/100 applications
- Covers Prospective Marriage Visa 300 applications
- Professional fees refunded if visa refused
- Government fees are non-refundable (paid to Dept)
Applies to standard applications
This guarantee applies to straightforward partner visa applications without Schedule 3 issues, character concerns, or health-related complications. Complex matters are assessed individually. Full terms provided at engagement.
Key Eligibility Requirements
Genuine Relationship Evidence
The Department assesses four categories: financial, household, social, and commitment. Evidence across all four is required.
Examples
Sponsorship Eligibility
Your sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, aged 18 or over, with no more than one prior partner sponsorship on record.
Examples
Australian passport, citizenship certificate, or permanent visa grant letter.
Health & Character Requirements
You and all secondary applicants must pass a medical examination and provide police clearances from every country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
Examples
Panel physician health exam, AFP check, overseas police clearances for all applicants aged 16 and over.
Financial Aspects
The Department looks for evidence that your finances are genuinely shared, not simply that you share an address.
Examples
Joint bank account, shared lease or mortgage, joint ownership of a vehicle or property, shared insurance or loans.
Onshore Application Requirement
You must be in Australia at lodgement and when the 820 is decided. If you travel before the 820 is granted, you must hold a Bridging Visa B before departing.
Examples
Bridging Visa A grant letter, Bridging Visa B if travel is required before decision.
De Facto vs Married Pathways
Married couples are not subject to a minimum relationship duration. De facto couples must demonstrate a genuine de facto relationship of at least 12 months before lodging.
Examples
Marriage certificate, or for de facto: lease, bills, and bank statements spanning 12 months, or a state/territory relationship registration.
12 Client Commitments
These are enforceable operational standards — not aspirational statements.
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2-Day Cooling-Off Period
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After receiving engagement documents, you have two full business days to review everything carefully, understand the costs, and decide whether you're comfortable proceeding. You can seek independent advice or discuss with family without pressure.
Most firms expect immediate sign-ups. We deliberately slow the process so decisions are made calmly, not under pressure.
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No Pressure to Engage
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We do not push clients to sign or pay during consultations. No urgency language, no fear-based messaging, no emotional pressure. Your consultation is about understanding your situation, not being pushed into signing.
No discounts for signing "today". No countdown timers. Payment requested only after you've decided, not during consult.
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Fee Installments Available
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You don't need the full fee available upfront. We offer payment plans that spread costs across key stages, making professional legal representation more financially manageable. No interest charges, processing fees, or admin penalties.
Migration legal services shouldn't be accessible only to those who can pay $10,000+ upfront.
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Suitability-First Advice
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We do not accept every matter. If we believe your case is not suitable to proceed — because evidence is too weak, risks are too high, or it would cause more harm than benefit — we tell you clearly and early, even if you're willing to pay.
We reject borderline matters rather than take uncertain fees. Income is sacrificed for professional integrity.
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Care Beyond Engagement
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Once you engage us, you're not left chasing your lawyer. Your calls are returned, your emails are answered, and important dates are watched carefully. Even during long waiting periods, your matter receives attention — not forgotten after payment.
We deliberately control how much work we take on so matters already in progress are properly looked after.
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Fee Transparency
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Staged fees tied to specific milestones with clear deliverables. You know exactly what you're paying for at each step, when payment is required, and what is not included. No opaque fixed fees paid upfront.
Every dollar is defensible and linked to completed work. Full fee transparency before engagement.
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Fair & Clear Refund Policy
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You know upfront how refunds work. Our refund policy is provided before you engage, not after a dispute arises. Refund decisions are based on milestones completed, not emotion or negotiation.
Milestone completion determines entitlement, not pressure. Policy is published and applied consistently to every client.
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Transparency Before We Start
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Before you commit, you receive a complete information pack: fees and milestone schedule, refund policy, complaints policy, privacy and cybersecurity summary, service level standards charter, how we manage your matter, and scope & suitability policy.
All 7 documents provided before any decision is required. Nothing important is hidden or deferred until after payment.
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Regular Updates Guaranteed
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Defined update cadence by matter stage. Even when there is no news from the Department or Tribunal, you receive updates at defined intervals so you know your matter is being monitored. Update standards are documented in our Service Level Standards Charter.
Silence during waiting periods is the #1 complaint in migration. We eliminate it. Generic "we're working on it" messages are banned.
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Professional Cybersecurity
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Your data is protected through secure systems, access controls, and professional protocols. Migration matters involve sensitive identity documents, personal histories, and financial information. We use professional-grade systems, not consumer tools.
Multi-factor authentication enforced. Document access is role-based and logged. Cybersecurity is an operational priority, not an afterthought.
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Formal Complaints Process
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If something goes wrong or you are unhappy, there is a clear and fair way to raise concerns. Complaints are acknowledged within 2 business days, reviewed by management, and responded to in writing within defined timeframes.
We treat complaints as serious professional matters, not personal disputes. Every complaint is logged, reviewed, and tracked for systemic improvements.
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What We Won't Do
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We explicitly reject common industry practices: promising outcomes we can't control, pushing you to sign on the spot, taking unsuitable cases, charging before explaining costs, going silent during waiting periods, and taking more clients than we can properly serve.
These prohibitions are enforceable operational rules, not aspirational goals. We put them in writing because they matter.
Ready to Start?
Book Your Assessment
Schedule a 45-minute visa assessment with our team. We'll review your situation, explain your options, and give you a clear understanding of the pathway forward.
Detailed eligibility assessment for your situation
Clear explanation of visa options and pathways
Identification of any potential issues or risks
Transparent fee estimate with no hidden costs
No pressure to proceed — decision is always yours
$300
45-minute consultation
Credited towards your matter if you proceed - $30 separate booking fee applies
Lives, Not Files.
We’ll Fight For Yours.
Your visa isn’t just paperwork. It’s your future, your family, your life in Australia. At My Migration Lawyers, we treat it that way. No Pressure. No false hope. Just honest advice and proper service from migration lawyers who actually care about getting it right.
Before you sign
Complete Transparency Before You Decide
Before you engage us, you'll receive a complete information pack covering every aspect of our engagement. Read it at your own pace. Make your decision with full knowledge, not assumptions.
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7 documents delivered before engagement
Ready for a Different Experience?
Book a visa assessment and see how migration law should work.
Partner Visa FAQs
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Can I apply for the 820 if my visa is about to expire?
Yes, provided your visa is still current at the time you lodge. Once a valid application is lodged, a Bridging Visa A is automatically granted, keeping you lawful even if your substantive visa expires before the 820 is decided.
Do I need to be living with my partner when I apply?
Not necessarily. The Department recognises that genuine couples sometimes live apart due to work, study, or family obligations. You will need to explain the arrangement and provide evidence the relationship has remained genuine throughout any period of separation.
Can my partner visa be granted if my sponsor dies during processing?
Yes, in certain circumstances. The Migration Regulations contain provisions allowing a partner visa to be granted following the death of a sponsor where the relationship was genuine. Legal advice specific to your circumstances is essential if this situation arises.
What is a Bridging Visa B and when do I need one?
A Bridging Visa B allows you to travel outside Australia and return while your 820 application is pending. You must apply for one before you depart. Leaving on your Bridging Visa A without first obtaining a Bridging Visa B causes your Bridging Visa A to cease, and you may be unable to return.
Can I include my children from a previous relationship in the application?
Yes. Dependent children of either the applicant or the sponsor can generally be included as secondary applicants. They must also meet health and character requirements. Disclose any children you intend to include to your lawyer from the outset.
We met online and have never lived in the same country. Can we still apply for the 820?
Possibly, but it is complex. The 820 requires you to be in Australia at lodgement and at the time of decision, and de facto couples must demonstrate 12 months in a genuine relationship. Long-distance relationships require carefully structured evidence showing ongoing genuine commitment. Seek legal advice before lodging.
What happens if the Department requests more information during processing?
The Department may issue a request for further information (a section 56 request). You will have a set timeframe to respond. Failing to respond, or responding inadequately, can result in refusal. If you are represented, your lawyer handles this on your behalf.
Can I change my address or move states after lodging the 820
Yes. You are not required to remain at the same address after lodging. You should update your address with the Department through ImmiAccount. Moving interstate does not affect your application, but ensure your records remain consistent with the evidence you submitted about shared living arrangements.
Is there any circumstance where the 801 permanent visa can be granted sooner than two years?
Yes. Where the couple had been in a registered relationship or had been together for three or more years at the time the original application was lodged, earlier consideration of the 801 may be possible. There are also provisions for earlier grant where a child is born to the couple during the temporary stage. Your lawyer should assess whether any early pathway applies to your situation.
Still have questions?