What Happens After Your 820 Visa Is Granted? A Complete Guide

Getting your Partner (Temporary) visa – subclass 820 granted is a huge milestone. For many couples, it represents the end of months (or years) of paperwork, uncertainty, and waiting. But once the celebration settles, a very common question pops up:

What happens next?

If you’ve just received your 820 visa grant, or you’re waiting anxiously for it, this guide walks you through exactly what changes, what stays the same, and what you should be doing to prepare for the next stage, the 801 permanent partner visa.

Understanding the 820 Visa in Context

The 820 visa is the temporary stage of Australia’s onshore partner visa pathway. It is granted to applicants who are already in Australia and in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.

The partner visa process usually happens in two stages:

1. Subclass 820 – Temporary partner visa
2. Subclass 801 – Permanent partner visa

When you lodged your partner visa application, you actually applied for both visas at the same time. The Department of Home Affairs assesses the 820 first. Once it’s granted, you move into a waiting period before being assessed for the 801.

Your New Rights After the 820 Visa Is Granted

Once the 820 visa is granted, your legal status in Australia changes significantly.

1. You Can Stay in Australia Lawfully

The most important change is security. You are now a temporary resident of Australia and can remain in the country while waiting for your permanent visa outcome.

Unlike bridging visas, the 820 visa:

• Is not dependent on another visa expiring
• Does not require ongoing compliance checks
• Gives you stable residency status

This alone is a massive relief for most applicants.

2. You Have Full Work Rights

After the 820 visa is granted, you can work in Australia without restriction.

This means:

• You can work full-time or part-time
• You can change employers freely
• You can start a business or be self-employed

Many people use this stage to:

• Build Australian work experience
• Improve their financial stability
• Transition into a long-term career

If you were previously on a bridging visa with limited work rights, this can feel life-changing.

3. You Can Study in Australia

The 820 visa allows you to study in Australia, though you are generally considered an international student for fee purposes.

You can:

• Enrol in university, TAFE, or private colleges
• Study full-time or part-time
• Improve your English or gain Australian qualifications

However, government-subsidised education (like domestic student fees or HECS-HELP) usually isn’t available until permanent residency.

4. You Can Travel In and Out of Australia

Yes, you can finally travel without stress.

The 820 visa includes multiple-entry travel rights, which means you can:

• Leave Australia
• Re-enter Australia
• Travel freely during the visa validity period

This is a big upgrade from many bridging visas that require special travel permission.

Just make sure your passport remains valid, and always check your visa conditions before booking long trips.

5. Access to Medicare

Most 820 visa holders are eligible for Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system.

Once your visa is granted, you should:

• Enrol in Medicare (if you haven’t already)
• Update your details if you were previously enrolled on a bridging visa

Medicare helps cover:

• Doctor visits (GPs)
• Hospital treatment
• Some specialist services
• Reduced-cost prescriptions

This can significantly reduce healthcare expenses and gives peace of mind.

What Doesn’t Automatically Change

While the 820 visa brings many benefits, it’s important to understand its limitations.

It Is Still a Temporary Visa

The 820 visa does not make you a permanent resident.

This means:

• You cannot vote
• You cannot sponsor other family members for PR
• You generally don’t have access to Centrelink benefits
• You don’t have the same security as PR or citizens

Your long-term future in Australia depends on the 801 visa.

The Waiting Period for the 801 Visa

After your 820 visa is granted, the Department of Home Affairs will assess you for the permanent 801 visa.

Standard Timeline

In most cases:

• You become eligible for the 801 visa two years from the date you lodged your original partner visa application, not from the 820 grant date

If your relationship was long-term at the time of application (for example, you had been together for several years or had children), you may be eligible for direct permanent residency, meaning the 801 could be granted sooner or at the same time.

What Happens During the Waiting Period?

During this time:

• You stay on the 820 visa
• Your relationship must continue to be genuine and ongoing
• You should continue living together or maintaining a committed partnership

The Department may contact you later to:

• Request updated relationship evidence
• Invite you to provide documents for the 801 stage

Preparing for the 801 Visa Assessment

This is where many applicants relax too much, and that can be risky.

Even after the 820 is granted, you should continue collecting evidence of your relationship, including:

• Joint bank account statements
• Lease or mortgage documents
• Utility bills in both names
• Photos together over time
• Travel records
• Social media posts
• Statutory declarations from friends and family

Think of it as telling the ongoing story of your relationship, not just proving it once.

Changes in Your Relationship: What You Must Do

If your circumstances change, you are legally required to inform the Department.

You must notify Home Affairs if:

• You move house
• Your passport changes
• Your relationship ends
• Your relationship status changes (marriage, separation, reconciliation)

If the relationship ends before the 801 is granted, your visa may be at risk, unless you qualify under special provisions such as:

• Family violence
• Having Australian children
• Death of the sponsor

Can You Include New Family Members After 820 Grant?

Generally, no new family members can be added after the partner visa application is lodged.

Children born after lodgement may be added, but other family members usually cannot.

Emotional Life After the 820 Visa Grant

Many people expect to feel instant relief and happiness and they do but it’s also common to feel:

• Emotionally drained after a long process
• Anxious about the permanent stage
• Unsure about future plans

This is normal. The 820 visa is a transitional phase. It’s okay to take time to settle, rebuild routine, and enjoy everyday life without visa stress dominating everything.

Final Thoughts: Life After 820 Is a New Chapter

Getting your 820 visa granted is not the end of the journey, but it is a major turning point.

You now have:

• Stability

• Work and travel freedom

• Time to build your life in Australia

• A clear pathway to permanent residency

Use this stage wisely. Invest in your relationship, your career, and your future. Keep good records, stay informed, and don’t hesitate to seek professional advice if your circumstances change.

A registered migration agent can help you stay compliant, prepare strong evidence for the 801 permanent visa stage, and guide you through any changes in your situation along the way.

The 820 visa is proof that Australia recognises your relationship and with the right support, the 801 visa is the next step toward calling Australia home permanently.\