Nigeria → Australia: the Partner visa (subclass 820/801) roadmap
The Partner visa (subclass 820/801) is the main onshore family-reunification pathway for the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. It is a single application charged once but decided in two stages: the temporary 820 grants residence while the case is assessed, and the permanent 801 is granted roughly two years after lodgement (or simultaneously for long-term relationships). There is no points test, salary, or funds threshold; the assessment is whether the relationship is genuine and continuing.</summary> <atAGlance">[{"label":"Key requirement","value":"Genuine, continuing relationship (married or de facto 12+ months) with an Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen sponsor"},{"label":"Government fee","value":"AUD $9,365 (primary, as at May 2026), one charge covers both stages"},{"label":"Processing time (820 temporary)","value":"50% within 16 months, 90% within 24 months"},{"label":"Processing time (801 permanent)","value":"50% within 8 months, 90% within 26 months"},{"label":"Points/salary test","value":"None (relationship-based visa)"},{"label":"Bridging visa","value":"Bridging Visa A granted on lodgement (onshore); work and study allowed"},{"label":"Path to PR","value":"801 grants permanent residence, typically ~2 years after lodgement"},{"label":"Path to citizenship","value":"Eligible after 4 years lawful residence, last 12 months as PR"}]
Moving from Nigeria
- You apply for the Partner visa (subclass 820/801) at the Australia consulate, embassy, or visa application centre that serves Nigeria, confirm the office and the current appointment wait for your region.
- Qualifications and work experience earned in Nigeria usually need a credential assessment or recognition before they count toward Australia's requirements.
- Budget for certified translation and apostille or legalisation of your Nigeria documents (degree, police certificate, civil records).
- Check whether a Nigeria passport needs a short-stay visa for any in-person biometrics or interview steps.
General guidance for any Nigeria to Australia applicant; the eligibility and fees below are set by Australia.
At a glance
Who qualifies
- Be the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who agrees to sponsor you
- Have a genuine and continuing relationship; de facto couples generally need 12 months of cohabitation (or a registered relationship)
- Be in Australia (onshore) when you apply and when the 820 is decided
- Sponsor must meet character requirements; lifetime limit of two partner sponsorships with a 5-year wait between them
- Meet health and character requirements (police checks and medical examination)
- No income, savings, or points threshold applies, but evidence of shared finances, household, and commitment is assessed
Your step-by-step roadmap
Prepare and lodge
- Gather relationship evidence across the four pillars: financial, household, social, and commitment
- Complete sponsor's application and your combined 820/801 application online via ImmiAccount
- Pay the single AUD $9,365 charge covering both stages
Temporary stage (820)
- Receive a Bridging Visa A on lodgement, allowing you to live, work, and study in Australia
- Respond to any requests for further evidence, health checks, and police certificates
- Await the 820 grant (50% within 16 months, 90% within 24 months)
Permanent stage (801)
- Roughly two years after lodgement, submit updated evidence that the relationship is still genuine and continuing
- Long-term relationships (3+ years) or couples with a dependent child may be assessed for 801 immediately
- Receive the 801 grant conferring permanent residence (50% within 8 months, 90% within 26 months)
Permanent residence and citizenship
- Hold permanent residence with full work, study, and Medicare access
- Meet the 4-year lawful residence rule, holding PR for the final 12 months
- Apply for Australian citizenship by conferral once residence and absence limits are met
Government fees
Timeline & path to citizenship
Timeline: From lodgement, the temporary 820 is typically decided within about 16 to 24 months, and the permanent 801 is assessed roughly two years after lodgement, so most couples reach permanent residence in approximately 2 to 4 years end to end.
Citizenship: The 801 grants permanent residence; Australian citizenship by conferral can then be sought once you have lived in Australia lawfully for four years with the final 12 months held as a permanent resident (and within the absence limits), so in practice roughly 4 years total from first arrival on the partner pathway.
This is general information to help you plan, not legal advice. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration professional.