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Partner & Spouse Visa Migration Agent

Specialist advice from qualified consultants. Free consult available for married & de facto couples.

No joint evidence or joint bank account?

Stuck on your relationship statement? 

Unsure who can write your form 888s?

Book a free couple consultation with our migration agent to understand more about your eligibility, what evidence you’ll need, and what professional fees may apply. We can assist you and your partner whether you're applying for a temporary or permanent partner visa.

Get your free partner visa consultation!

Do you or your partner possess:
Australian permanent residency
Australian citizenship
New Zealand citizenship
Different citizenship / residency

 Advice for the visa sponsor & applicant

 Bilingual support for Chinese applicants

✔ Experience with limited shared evidence

✔ Experience with handling complex cases

mcsweeney immigration reviews rating shows 4.8 out of 5 stars
badge shows Yin Zhao's MARA number 2217777
badge shows Lok Ki Leung's MARA number 2519095

Meet our Partner Visa Consultants

A partner visa application isn't cheap. Mistakes can be expensive. A migration agent helps prepare strong statements and submit effective relationship evidence. 

 

We assist couples applying for Australian partner and spouse visas, whether the applicant is inside or outside Australia. This includes onshore Partner Visas (Subclass 820/801), offshore Partner Visas (Subclass 309/100), and the Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300). During your consultation, we’ll help you understand which pathway applies to your situation and what evidence is required.

Even small errors can lead to delays or complications. Here's how our migration agents help:

  • You receive migration advice from someone legally authorised to give it

  • Your documents & relationship evidence are prepared systematically & correctly

  • Avoid common mistakes like missing evidence or an incomplete form

Profressional portrait of MARA agent Joe Zhao

Joe (Yin) Zhao

MIGRATION AGENT FOR PARTNER VISAS IN AUSTRALIA
Marn: 2217777

Joe Zhao is a MARA-registered migration agent with over a decade of experience helping couples prepare strong applications. He's fluent in Mandarin. Joe is known for his clear guidance, supportive approach and ability to simplify complex requirements for both applicants and sponsors.

Profressional portrait of MARA agent Candy Leung

Candy Leung

MIGRATION AGENT & APPLICATION SUPPORT
Marn: 2519095

Candy supports our migration team with the preparation and organisation of visa documentation. She has worked in immigration advisory roles in Australia and New Zealand and helps ensure that applications are aligned with current migration requirements. Candy is a registered migration agent.

Why Choose McSweeney Immigration

Choosing the right migration agent makes a huge difference to how confident and prepared you feel throughout the partner visa journey. At McSweeney Immigration, we focus on providing clear, supportive guidance for couples who want to build their life together in Australia. 

✔ We specialise in partner visas

Partner visas are a core focus of our practice, meaning we understand the evidence, process, and common pitfalls better than generalist firms.

✔ You work directly Chinese-speaking registered migration agents

Our agents speak English and Chinese fluently, making communication easier for bilingual couples and ensuring nothing gets lost in translation.

✔ Free initial consultation to understand your options

We offer a complimentary session so you can understand your pathway clearly before committing to the process.

✔ Personalised, one-on-one service (no call centres)

You speak directly with one of our agents - the person preparing and managing your case. You always know who to contact and never repeat your story to multiple agents.

"McSweeney Immigration made the daunting partner visa process so much more manageable. From the initial consultation to the final visa grant, they were responsive, supportive, and truly knew the ins and outs of the system. Their team made us feel at ease and gave us confidence every step of the way. We couldn't be more grateful!"

How a MARA Agent Helps With Your Partner Visa Application

Partner visa applications require detailed and structured evidence. Our migration agents at McSweeney Immigration have systems for successfully processing cases - from document prep to application lodgment. The process is similar whether you apply onshore or offshore:

a large number one to depict the first step in the New Zealand immigration process

Document Preparation

One of our agents will assist you and your partner with:
 

  • Collecting and preparing relationship evidence

  • Financial and household documentation

  • Photos and communication records

  • Joint commitments

  • Travel history

  • Identity and character documents

  • Sponsor requirements

a large number two to depict the second step in the New Zealand immigration process

Statements & Statutory Declarations

We help you express your relationship clearly and truthfully:
 

  • Your personal statements (relationship story)

  • Sponsor statements

  • Statutory declarations

  • Guidance for the supporting witnesses

a large number three to depict the third step in the New Zealand immigration process

Application Lodgement & Ongoing Support

After preparing and checking all documents:
 

  • We complete and lodge the application for you

  • We assist with bridging visa information (for onshore applicants)

  • We support you with any additional information requests from the Department

  • We provide ongoing advice until a decision is made
     

Our goal is to help you present a well structured, well-documented application that reflects your genuine relationship. This takes time and effort.

820/801 Partner Visa: Basic Eligibility Checklist

To successfully apply for this visa using a migration agent, you'll need to tick a few boxes. If you meet the below criteria, that means you could be eligible for a successful application. If you've had a visa cancelled or application denied, you may not be eligible - it doesn't mean you won't have a successful outcome. A MARA agent helps you with the details, and explains all partner visa eligibility requirements.

✔  There needs to be an eligible sponsor
They must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to sponsor the visa application.


✔  Apply from inside Australia
The 820/801 visa is an onshore application. This means you need to be physically in Australia when you lodge. Your sponsor can be anywhere, as long as the applicant's onshore, you can still apply for the visa.
 
✔  Currently hold a valid Australian visa
Most applicants apply while holding a visitor, student or another temporary visa. If your visa expired, special criteria may apply.
 
✔  Married or de facto partner
Your relationship must be genuine, continuing and exclusive. You'll need to start collecting relationship evidence to support your case and display legitimacy.

Ticking the boxes?  Book a free consultation now. A MARA agent can help with your visa application.

Your Partner Visa Option in Australia: Subclass 820

Partner Visa 820/801

Our migration agent can help you apply for this visa if you're in Australia on an eligible visa.

You can stay in Australia, look for work and even apply for medicare (Australia's public healthcare plan) while an agent helps you with your permanent 801 application.

How the partner visa application process works (subclass 820/801)

To apply for the 820 Partner Visa, you must be in Australia on a valid visa, be married or in a genuine de facto relationship, and have an eligible sponsor. 

You also apply for the 801 permanent visa when you apply for subclass 820. This is your pathway to permanent residency in Australia. A migration agent supports you both until the permanent visa application is approved.

Diagram shows partner visa application process using an agent - from initial consult to ongoing support after applying

How long does it take to get a partner visa?

Processing times vary.


You can access trusted and updated processing time estimations at the department of home affairs​. If you're onshore, select the 'partner visa (subclass 820)' visa type.  Use the visa processing times guide.

Speaking to a MARA agent can also help you get an idea of up to date processing times. 
Using a MARA agent helps you submit a clear and compliant visa application, reducing risk of delays caused by incomplete or incorrect documents.​ 

Benefits After Lodging an Onshore 820/801 Application

After you lodge your application, your migration agent cannot influence processing time or outcomes - those are controlled by the Department of Home Affairs. What they can do is help you stay organised, respond effectively to any requests for further information, and ensure that all documents submitted later in the process remain correct and complete.

 

After applying for the partner visa (820/801), you may gain access to:

  • A Bridging Visa A (BVA) allowing you to stay in Australia

  • Work rights (in most cases)

  • Medicare access, Australia's healthcare system, once eligible

  • Study rights

  • The ability to remain with your partner in Australia during processing

Keep in mind these benefits don't start immediately, you continue the conditions of your existing visa until it expires before the BVA comes into effect. Using an agent means you can focus on getting started in Australia, while they keep you on track promptly responding to department requests.

Questions For a Partner Visa Agent

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