Moving From a Student Visa to a Partner Visa (820)

Many international students meet a partner who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident while studying here. The onshore partner visa (subclass 820 and 801) can be applied for while you hold a student visa, and it can open the way to permanent residence. Timing matters, and so do the conditions on your student visa. This guide explains the main points.

Check your conditions first

Condition 8534 is the first thing to check. Some student visas carry condition 8534, a no further stay condition. While you are in Australia, it only allows a protection visa, a 485 Temporary Graduate visa or a 590 Student Guardian visa to be granted. A waiver needs compelling and compassionate circumstances that arose after your visa was granted and were beyond your control. Policy does not usually treat starting a relationship or getting married as one of them. Check VEVO or your grant letter. See condition 8534.

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Applying while your student visa is valid

If you apply while you still hold your student visa, you avoid the extra Schedule 3 criteria. You must meet the usual partner visa requirements, including a genuine and continuing relationship and, for de facto partners, generally 12 months living together or registration. See the 820 and 801 partner visa and partner visas.

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If your student visa has ended

If you apply after your student visa has ended, or while you only hold a bridging visa, you may need to meet Schedule 3 criteria. These can be waived where there are compelling reasons, but it adds risk. A student visa refusal or cancellation in Australia can also bring in the section 48 bar, which still allows a partner visa application but has its own rules. See Schedule 3 criteria and the section 48 bar.

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Study and work while your 820 is processed

• While your student visa is still in effect: its conditions apply, including keeping your enrolment and attendance and the 48 hours a fortnight work limit while your course is in session. Stopping study can put your student visa at risk.
• Once your bridging visa takes over: a Bridging Visa A for a partner visa application generally has no work or study conditions.
• Medicare: you may become eligible for Medicare once you have applied for a permanent partner visa.

See working, studying and Medicare while your 820 is pending.

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Should you finish your course first?

Not necessarily. Many students apply as soon as the relationship meets the requirements. But think about your study plans, your fees and what happens if the relationship ends. If your partner visa is refused, you may not be able to apply for a new student visa in Australia. See student visa changes from 2 October 2026.

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What you should do now

• Check for condition 8534: it can stop a partner visa grant in Australia.
• Apply while your student visa is valid: to avoid Schedule 3.
• Keep studying until the bridging visa starts: your student visa conditions still apply.
• Prepare strong relationship evidence: the genuine relationship test is the core criterion.