Partner Visa (820/801) Second Stage
Securing your permanent future in Australia.
Overview
The second stage of the onshore partner visa process is the assessment for the permanent Subclass 801 visa. This occurs approximately two years after you lodged your initial 820/801 application. The Department of Home Affairs will invite you to provide evidence that your relationship with your sponsoring partner is still genuine and continuing. I specialise in preparing this crucial submission, ensuring you meet the final requirements to become an Australian permanent resident.
Many people underestimate the second stage assessment. It is not an automatic grant. You must proactively provide fresh evidence covering the two-year period since your initial application. This includes proof of continued cohabitation, financial interdependence, social recognition of your relationship, and your ongoing commitment. Simply stating that you are still together is not enough; you must prove it with documentation. I help you organise this evidence into a clear and convincing submission.
The Department will assess the same four pillars as the initial application: financial, household, social, and commitment. I work with you to gather updated evidence, such as recent joint bank statements, utility bills in both names, photos from the last two years, and statements from friends who can attest to your continuing relationship. My role is to ensure there are no gaps in your evidence and that the submission paints a consistent and genuine picture of your life together.
If your circumstances have changed, such as a relationship breakdown, the birth of a child, or if you have experienced family violence, it is critical to get expert advice before proceeding. There are specific provisions that may still allow you to be granted a permanent visa. I provide confidential and strategic advice in these sensitive situations to protect your interests and secure your future in Australia wherever possible.
Key Facts
How I Work — Step by Step
Eligibility Date Monitoring
I proactively monitor your case and notify you when you become eligible to submit your second stage evidence.
Second Stage Evidence Workshop
We work together to gather and review all the documentation required to prove your relationship has continued for the past two years.
Submission Preparation
I prepare a comprehensive submission, including updated forms and all supporting evidence, addressing all four pillars of the relationship assessment.
Lodgement and Finalisation
I lodge the submission with the Department and manage the process until you receive the exciting news of your permanent residency grant.
What I Do
- Track your eligibility date for the second stage permanent visa.
- Provide a detailed checklist of evidence required for the Subclass 801 submission.
- Assist in preparing updated statutory declarations from you, your sponsor, and witnesses.
- Compile and organise your evidence for the preceding two-year period.
- Prepare and lodge the second stage submission with the Department of Home Affairs.
- Advise on complex situations, including relationship breakdowns or family violence.
- Manage all communication with the Department until your permanent visa is granted.
Who Is This For?
- ›Holders of the temporary Partner Visa (Subclass 820) who are approaching their second stage eligibility date.
- ›Applicants who need assistance in gathering and presenting the required evidence of their ongoing relationship.
- ›Couples whose circumstances have changed and need advice on how to proceed.
- ›Anyone who wants to ensure their final step to permanent residency is handled professionally and without error.
Common questions about
When exactly can I submit my second stage evidence?+
What if we have separated temporarily during the two years?+
Do we need to provide the same amount of evidence as the first time?+
How long does the 801 visa take to process after we submit the evidence?+
Free Guide: Preparing a Strong Partner Visa Application
This guide walks you through the evidence the Department actually looks at, the most common reasons partner visas get refused, and how to avoid a genuinely concerning relationship finding. Written from 27 years of experience.
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The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Thoughts only — not legal advice.