Subclass 801 (Permanent Partner Visa Australia)

The Subclass 801 is the permanent stage of the onshore spouse visa pathway in Australia. It is the final step between a temporary partner visa and permanent residency, and it is assessed separately from the Subclass 820, roughly two years after your original lodgement date.

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Our registered migration agents prepare your Subclass 801 submission, manage your correspondence with the Department of Home Affairs, and make sure your permanent stage application reflects the current state of your relationship.

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What Is the Subclass 801?

The Subclass 801 is the permanent stage of the onshore spouse visa process under the Migration Act 1958 (Cth). It is applied for at the same time as the Subclass 820, as part of one combined application, but assessed separately.

The Department of Home Affairs assesses the Subclass 801 roughly two years after the original lodgement date of the combined application. The two-year period runs from lodgement, not from when the Subclass 820 was granted.

The relationship must still be genuine and continuing at the time of assessment. Permanent residency is not automatic. Holding a Subclass 820 does not guarantee the Subclass 801 will be granted.

Double grant:
In limited circumstances, the Department may grant both the Subclass 820 and the Subclass 801 at the same time. This is generally available where the applicant and sponsor were in a long-term partner relationship at the time the Subclass 820 application was lodged. This may apply where the couple had been in the relationship for at least two years and have a dependent child of the relationship, or where they had been in the relationship for at least three years. This is not automatic and depends on individual circumstances and the strength of the evidence at lodgement.

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Subclass 801 Eligibility Requirements

The applicant must:

Hold a valid Subclass 820 visa
Be in Australia at the time the Subclass 801 application is lodged
Continue to be in a genuine and continuing relationship with their sponsor
Continue to meet health and character requirements
Have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government
Notify the Department of Home Affairs of any changes in circumstances since the Subclass 820 was granted

The sponsor must:

Continue to be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
Continue to meet character requirements
Not have exceeded the sponsorship limits under the Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth)

What changes at Stage 2:

The Department reassesses the relationship at the Subclass 801 stage. Evidence submitted at the Subclass 820 stage alone is not sufficient. Updated evidence covering the period since the original lodgement must be provided. The Department will invite you to submit updated documents through ImmiAccount when your eligibility window approaches.

What the Subclass 801 Gives You

Once the permanent stage of your spouse visa is granted, you become a permanent resident of Australia. The visa provides:

The right to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia permanently
Full access to Medicare, Australia's public healthcare system
The ability to sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia (subject to eligibility)
Travel in and out of Australia for five years from the date of grant. After five years, a Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155 or 157) is required to maintain travel rights
A pathway to Australian citizenship, subject to meeting the residence and other requirements under the Australian Citizenship Act 2007. Generally, this requires four years in Australia with at least one year as a permanent resident

What Evidence Does the Department Require at Stage 2?

The Department of Home Affairs reassesses the spouse visa application at the Subclass 801 stage against the same four categories under Migration Regulations 1.15A or 1.09A. Evidence must be current and must cover the period since the original lodgement date.

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Financial aspects: Updated evidence of shared financial arrangements and joint commitments.

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Nature of the household: Updated evidence of shared living arrangements and domestic life.

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Social aspects: Updated evidence that the relationship continues to be recognised by family, friends, and the broader community.

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Nature of commitment: Updated evidence of a genuine, mutual, and continuing long-term commitment to a shared life.

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Evidence submitted at the Subclass 820 stage is not sufficient on its own. Our registered migration agents build up your Stage 2 evidence file to reflect the current state of your relationship and address what the Department looks for in their permanent assessment.

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Subclass 801 Application Costs

Government Application Charge
There is no separate government application charge for the Subclass 801. The combined charge of AUD $11,710 for the primary applicant, paid at the time of the original Subclass 820/801 lodgement in the 2026–27 financial year, covers both stages.

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Additional costs at this stage may include updated health examinations and updated police clearances where existing clearances have expired.

Please note: Government visa application charges are reviewed and typically adjusted by the Department of Home Affairs each July. The figures above reflect the 2026–27 financial year. If you are reading this page after 1 July 2027, some charges may have changed. We recommend confirming current fees at the Department of Home Affairs visa pricing estimator or contacting us directly before you budget for your application.

Professional Fees
Our registered migration agents charge a professional fee for preparing and managing your Subclass 801 submission. This is separate from any government charges. Our fees are confirmed in full before you commit to anything, and we offer flexible payment plans to help you manage the cost of your application.

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Subclass 801 Processing Times

The Subclass 801 is assessed roughly two years after the original lodgement date of the combined Subclass 820/801 application. Based on data published by the Department of Home Affairs in early 2026:

50% of Subclass 801 applications are decided within approximately 6 to 10 months of becoming eligible
90% are decided within approximately 12 to 24 months of becoming eligible

Providing updated, complete, and consistent evidence when the Department invites your Stage 2 assessment is the most effective way to avoid unnecessary delay.

For the most current processing time estimates, visit the Department of Home Affairs Global visa processing times page.

Please note: Processing times are published by the Department of Home Affairs as percentile estimates and are updated monthly. The figures above reflect data available in early 2026. Actual processing times vary depending on the complexity of the application, the completeness of evidence provided at lodgement, and application volumes at the time of decision. These figures are a guide only and are not a guarantee of when your application will be decided.

How Our Registered Migration Agents Prepare Your Subclass 801 Application

Eligibility assessment

We confirm your eligibility for the Subclass 801 assessment and identify any changes in circumstances since the Subclass 820 was granted that may affect your spouse visa permanent stage application.

Stage 2 evidence file preparation

We build your updated evidence file across all four relationship categories, covering the period since your original lodgement date. We identify gaps before the Department does.

Relationship statement preparation

We prepare updated relationship statements structured to address what the Department looks for at the permanent stage assessment.

Ongoing case management

We manage all correspondence with the Department of Home Affairs from your Stage 2 submission through to the final decision, including any requests for further information.

Citizenship pathway advice

Once your Subclass 801 is granted, we can advise on the steps toward Australian citizenship where applicable.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Subclass 801 automatic after the Subclass 820 is granted?

No. The Subclass 801 is assessed separately, roughly two years after the original lodgement date. The relationship must still be genuine and continuing at the time of assessment. A granted Subclass 820 does not guarantee the Subclass 801 will be approved.

Do I need to pay further application fees for the Subclass 801?

No. The Subclass 801 fees were paid for at the same time as the Subclass 820 application. You do not need to pay again. You will, however, need to make a subsequent application for the second stage of the application, and provide updated evidence to the Department.

When does the two-year waiting period start?

The two-year period runs from the original lodgement date of the combined spouse visa application, not from the date the Subclass 820 was granted.

Can I stay in Australia while the Subclass 801 is being assessed?

Yes. You remain on your Subclass 820 visa throughout the permanent stage assessment. The Subclass 820 allows you to live, work, and study in Australia until the Subclass 801 is decided.

What happens if my relationship has changed since the Subclass 820 was granted?

You are required to notify the Department of Home Affairs of any changes in your relationship circumstances. If the relationship has ended, the Subclass 801 will generally not be granted, however there are provisions under Australian migration law which may apply in certain circumstances.

What is the five-year travel facility on the Subclass 801?

Once the Subclass 801 is granted, you can travel in and out of Australia freely for five years from the grant date. After five years, you must apply for a Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155 or 157) to maintain your travel rights.

Can same-sex couples progress to the Subclass 801?

Yes. The Subclass 801 applies equally to same-sex and opposite-sex couples. The eligibility criteria and assessment process are identical regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

When can I apply for Australian citizenship after the Subclass 801 is granted?

In most cases, you may be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship once you have lived in Australia lawfully for four years, including at least 12 months as a permanent resident immediately before applying. You must also meet the other eligibility requirements under the Australian Citizenship Act 2007, including character requirements. We can advise on your specific citizenship timeline once your Subclass 801 is granted.