Skip to content 
Onshore partner visa support for Sri Lankan couples in Australia
Partner Visa 820 Consultants
Already in Australia and married to, or in a de facto relationship with, an Australian citizen or permanent resident? The Partner (Temporary) visa subclass 820 lets you stay while your permanent 801 visa is processed. Our partner visa consultants help you build strong evidence and lodge one complete 820 and 801 application.
Speak to an advisor: +94 74 291 8914
Can you apply for the 820 from inside Australia?
Tell us your current visa and your relationship. A migration advisor will call you within one working day to check whether you can apply onshore.
Your details are used only to contact you about your partner visa. We never share them with third parties.
What Is the Partner Visa Subclass 820?
The subclass 820 is a temporary onshore partner visa for the married or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. It is the first stage towards the permanent subclass 801.
You apply for the 820 and the 801 together, in one application, and you must be in Australia when you apply and when the 820 is granted.
820 Visa Benefits
- Stay in Australia with your partner while the permanent stage is processed
- Work and study in Australia
- Travel in and out of Australia once the 820 is granted
- Enrol in Medicare after you apply
- Free English classes through the Adult Migrant English Program if eligible
- A clear pathway to permanent residence through the subclass 801
On a student, visitor or work visa? Check whether you can apply for the 820 from inside Australia.
Check my eligibilityCan You Apply for the 820 Visa From Inside Australia?
This is the first question to answer. Your current visa and its conditions decide whether you can apply onshore.
No further stay conditions
If your current visa has a condition such as 8503, you usually cannot apply for an 820 in Australia unless the condition is waived.
No substantive visa
If you are on a bridging visa or your visa has expired, you may need to meet extra requirements, which usually means showing compelling reasons.
Student and work visa holders
Many Sri Lankans in Australia on student or work visas can apply onshore, as long as their visa allows it.
Applying offshore instead
If you cannot apply onshore, the offshore subclass 309 may be the right option. See our partner visa 309 page.
Partner Visa 820 Requirements
- You are in Australia when you apply and when the 820 is granted
- You are married to, or in a de facto relationship with, your sponsor
- Your sponsor is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Your relationship is genuine and continuing
- You are 18 or older
- You meet health and character requirements
- Your sponsor meets sponsorship limits and character checks
De facto partners usually need to have lived together for at least 12 months before applying, unless an exception applies, such as a relationship registered in an Australian state or territory.
820 Visa Document Checklist
- Passports, birth certificates and identity documents for both partners
- Marriage certificate, or evidence of your de facto relationship
- Your sponsor's proof of citizenship or permanent residence
- Your current visa details
- Joint bank statements, shared bills and lease or mortgage documents
- Photos together, travel records and communication history
- Statements from both partners and from friends or family
- Australian Federal Police check and overseas police certificates
- Health examinations when requested
How to Prove a Genuine Relationship
Home Affairs looks at your relationship as a whole. Strong applications cover all four areas below, with evidence over time.
Financial
Joint bank accounts, shared bills, joint assets or loans, and how you share living costs.
Household
A shared address, lease or mortgage, and how you divide household responsibilities.
Social
Evidence that family, friends and your community know you as a couple.
Commitment
Your knowledge of each other, your plans for the future and how you support each other.
Arranged marriages are accepted. Many Sri Lankan couples meet through family introductions. Home Affairs accepts arranged marriages when the relationship is genuine, and we help you explain how your relationship has developed.
Weak relationship evidence is the most common reason for delays. Get yours reviewed before you apply.
Review my evidence820 Bridging Visa: Work, Travel and Medicare
- If you hold a substantive visa when you apply, you usually receive a Bridging visa A that keeps you lawful in Australia
- Your bridging visa conditions decide your work rights, so check them carefully
- If you leave Australia on a Bridging visa A, it ends, so you usually need a Bridging visa B before travelling
- You may be able to enrol in Medicare once your partner visa application is lodged
What Happens After the 820 Visa Is Granted?
- You can live, work and study in Australia
- You can travel in and out of Australia while the visa is valid
- About 2 years after you applied, you become eligible to be assessed for the 801
- You provide updated relationship evidence for the permanent stage
Learn more on our partner visa 801 page.
Why Use Partner Visa 820 Consultants?
Partner visas are expensive, take a long time and depend heavily on evidence. These are the real problems couples face, and where a registered migration agent helps most.
Visa conditions
Applying onshore when your visa does not allow it can lead to an invalid application and a lost fee.
Timing before your visa expires
Lodging before your current visa ends usually protects your lawful status. Leaving it late can create problems.
Sponsor history
Sponsors who have sponsored a partner before, or who have certain criminal records, may face limits.
A high government fee
The visa charge is not refunded if your application is refused, so getting it right the first time matters.
How Our Partner Visa Agents Help
As partner visa 820 consultants with our own registered migration agent and an office in Australia, we support both you and your partner from the first check to the permanent visa.
Onshore eligibility check
We check your current visa conditions and confirm whether you can apply in Australia.
Sponsor check
We confirm your sponsor meets the requirements and flag any risks before you pay the fee.
Relationship evidence plan
We give you a personalised checklist across all four evidence areas.
Relationship statements
We guide both partners in writing clear, honest statements.
Application lodgement
We prepare and lodge your combined 820 and 801 application with every document checked.
Bridging visa and 801 stage
We explain your bridging visa conditions and prepare your updated evidence for the 801.
What you get in your free assessment
- Whether you can apply onshore with your current visa
- An honest view of your eligibility and any risks
- A personalised relationship evidence checklist
- A clear breakdown of government and other costs
- A realistic timeline for your case
Our promise to you
- Advice from our own registered migration agent
- A written fee quote with no hidden charges
- One dedicated advisor for both partners
- No false visa guarantees, because only Home Affairs decides
- Your personal documents kept private and secure
What happens after you fill in the form
Book my free assessmentHow to Apply for the 820 Visa
Free assessment
We confirm you can apply onshore and check your eligibility and sponsor.
Gather evidence
You and your partner collect documents from your personalised checklist.
Lodge your application
Your combined 820 and 801 application is lodged online while you are in Australia, and the charge is paid.
Bridging visa
If eligible, you receive a bridging visa that lets you stay lawfully while you wait.
Sponsorship and checks
Your partner completes the sponsorship, and you complete health and police checks.
820 grant
The temporary visa is granted while you are in Australia.
801 stage
About 2 years after you applied, you provide updated evidence for the permanent visa.
820 Visa Application Fee in 2026
Home Affairs charges for applications lodged from 1 July 2026. One charge covers both the 820 and the 801.
| Applicant | Visa application charge |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | AUD 11,710 |
| Each additional applicant aged 18 or over | AUD 5,860 |
| Each additional applicant under 18 | AUD 2,935 |
A reduced charge applies if you hold a Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) and married your sponsor. Also budget for medicals, police certificates and translations. A card payment surcharge may apply.
The visa charge is not refunded if refused. Make sure your application is ready first.
Get my free review820 Visa Processing Time
Processing times change often. At the time of writing, Home Affairs reports that half of 820 applications are decided within about 18 months and 90% within about 32 months. Complete applications with strong evidence are generally processed faster.
820 vs 309 Partner Visa
| Feature | 820/801 | 309/100 |
|---|---|---|
| Where you apply | Inside Australia | Outside Australia |
| Where it is granted | Inside Australia | Outside Australia |
| Main applicant charge | AUD 11,710 | AUD 11,710 |
| Permanent stage | Subclass 801 | Subclass 100 |
Common Reasons for Refusal or Delay
- Applying onshore when your visa conditions do not allow it
- Relationship evidence that is thin or only recent
- De facto relationships without 12 months of living together
- Sponsorship limits or sponsor character issues
- Missing police certificates or medicals
- Inconsistent statements between partners
Lessons From Sri Lankan Couples
- Checking visa conditions first avoids invalid applications
- Lodging before a student or work visa expires keeps you lawful
- Applying for a Bridging visa B before visiting Sri Lanka avoids losing your bridging visa
- Keeping monthly evidence makes the later 801 stage much easier
Exploring other Australian visas? See the 482 visa, 186 visa and 189 visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the best partner visa 820 consultant?
Choose partner visa consultants who work with a registered migration agent you can check on the official register, explain fees in writing and check your visa conditions before you apply. Avoid anyone who guarantees a visa, because only Home Affairs decides.
Is the 820 visa permanent residency?
No. The 820 is temporary. The permanent stage is the subclass 801, which is part of the same application.
Can I apply for an 820 visa on a visitor visa?
Sometimes. If your visitor visa has a no further stay condition such as 8503, you usually need a waiver first. We check your visa conditions before you apply.
Can I apply for an 820 visa on a student visa?
Usually yes, if your student visa does not have a condition that stops you applying for another visa in Australia.
How much is the 820 visa application fee?
From 1 July 2026, the charge is AUD 11,710 for the main applicant, AUD 5,860 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over and AUD 2,935 for each child under 18. This covers both the 820 and the 801.
What is the 820 visa processing time?
At the time of writing, Home Affairs reports about 18 months for half of applications and about 32 months for 90%. Times change, so we check the current figure for you.
Can I work on a bridging visa while my 820 is processed?
It depends on your bridging visa conditions. Many partner visa applicants can work, but you should check your grant notice or ask us to check it.
Can I get Medicare on an 820 visa?
You may be able to enrol in Medicare once your partner visa application is lodged. Check with Services Australia for your situation.
Can I travel while my 820 visa is processed?
If you are on a Bridging visa A, it ends when you leave Australia, so you usually need a Bridging visa B before travelling. Once your 820 is granted, you can usually travel in and out of Australia.
What happens after the 820 visa is granted?
You can live, work and study in Australia. About 2 years after you applied, you are assessed for the permanent 801 visa.
What happens if we break up on an 820 visa?
In most cases the application cannot continue, but there are exceptions, such as family violence, the death of your partner or a child of the relationship. Speak to a registered migration agent about your situation.
Do de facto partners need 12 months together?
Usually yes. Exceptions include a relationship registered in an Australian state or territory, or compelling circumstances.
Can I buy a house on an 820 visa?
Temporary visa holders can generally buy property, but foreign investment rules and approvals may apply. Check with the relevant authority before buying.
What is the difference between the 820 and 801 visa?
The 820 is the temporary first stage and the 801 is the permanent second stage. You apply for both together, and the 801 is usually assessed about 2 years later.
Where are your offices?
We have an office in Australia and our Sri Lanka office at 36/3/2 Pavilian Building, Gamini Mawatha, Galle. We also offer online consultations.
Start Your Partner Visa 820 Application Today
Talk to our partner visa 820 consultants. We will check whether you can apply onshore, review your relationship evidence and prepare a complete application with our own registered migration agent. Your first assessment is free.
