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.
✔ Advice for the visa sponsor & applicant
✔ Bilingual support for Chinese applicants
✔ Experience with limited shared evidence
✔ Experience with handling complex cases

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:
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You receive migration advice from someone legally authorised to give it
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Your documents & relationship evidence are prepared systematically & correctly
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Avoid common mistakes like missing evidence or an incomplete form

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.

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.
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:
Document Preparation
One of our agents will assist you and your partner with:
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Collecting and preparing relationship evidence
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Financial and household documentation
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Photos and communication records
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Joint commitments
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Travel history
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Identity and character documents
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Sponsor requirements
Statements & Statutory Declarations
We help you express your relationship clearly and truthfully:
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Your personal statements (relationship story)
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Sponsor statements
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Statutory declarations
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Guidance for the supporting witnesses
Application Lodgement & Ongoing Support
After preparing and checking all documents:
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We complete and lodge the application for you
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We assist with bridging visa information (for onshore applicants)
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We support you with any additional information requests from the Department
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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.
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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:
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A Bridging Visa A (BVA) allowing you to stay in Australia
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Work rights (in most cases)
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Medicare access, Australia's healthcare system, once eligible
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Study rights
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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
How do I get a spouse visa faster?
You can’t speed up Department decision times, but submitting a complete, well-documented application helps avoid unnecessary delays.
What does a partner visa specialist actually do?
A partner visa specialist (also known as a 'MARA agent' or 'migration agent' in Australia) guides you through visa eligibility, evidence, preparation and lodgment in line with updated migration law.
Do I need a migration agent for a partner visa?
You don't have to use a migration agent to help with your application. We recommend you use one, because the partner visa has a very complex application process. As a couple you face strict legal requirements, high scrutiny and a big document list to get through. An agent can help you avoid common mistakes and assist with meeting all of the requirements. Contact a migration agent to learn more about how a MARA agent can assist you.
Can I get a free consultation for my partner visa?
Yes, we offer a complimentary initial consultation to outline your options.
How much does a partner visa agent near me cost?
If you're wondering exactly how much consultants near you charge to assist with a couple/spouse visa - professional fees vary. We provide a transparent quote tailored to your situation.
Migration agent fees for a partner or spouse visa typically depend on the level of support required and the complexity of your circumstances.
Costs vary based on factors such as:
Complexity of your relationship history (e.g. long-distance, limited evidence, short relationship duration)
Whether your visa status is straightforward or requires additional considerations (e.g. expired visa, Schedule 3 issues, prior refusals)
The completeness of your documentation at the start
Whether statutory declarations or detailed relationship statements need drafting
Amount of guidance required for the sponsor (including character checks and evidence obligations)
Whether multiple dependants or children are included
Level of ongoing communication and follow-up needed
The tasks that most influence cost include:
Building a compliant evidence portfolio (the most time-intensive step)
Preparing a structured “relationship story”
Guiding multiple Form 888 witnesses
Resolving document gaps or inconsistencies
Assisting with bridging visa explanations and sponsor obligations
Addressing common partner visa mistakes
What counts as strong evidence for a partner visa?
Strong evidence shows that your relationship is genuine, ongoing and mutually committed. You'll be assessed on four key areas: financial, household, social and long-term commitment.
Useful evidence includes (but isn't limited to):
Financial connections: joint bank accounts, shared expenses, bills, loans, insurance, remittances
Shared household: joint lease or property, utility accounts, mail to the same address, evidence you genuinely live together
Social recognition: photos, invitations, travel records, social media history (used carefully), statements from friends or family
Commitment over time: relationship statements, communications, travel itineraries, plans for the future, evidence of ongoing contact during time apart
Our internal knowledge base shows that the most common causes of refusals include:
incomplete or inconsistent documentation
insufficient evidence of cohabitation
poorly structured personal statements
missing statutory declarations (Form 888)
relying too heavily on photos instead of objective documentation
Many couples underestimate the Department’s expectation of structured, chronological, well-presented evidence. This is where guidance from an agent is key. Our partner visa MARA agents Joe and Candy ensure your documents clearly demonstrate your relationship across all required categories.
What should I look for in a partner visa agent near me?
When comparing partner visa migration agents in your area, look for a registered migration agent (MARA) with experience in partner visas, clear communication, and a track record of supporting both applicants and sponsors. Make sure to check whether or not they've linked to their MARA profile - which tells you that they're legitimate. It’s also helpful to choose an agent who offers a detailed consultation, explains evidence requirements in plain English, and provides one-on-one support rather than passing you between staff. These factors make the process clearer and more organised from the start. If one of you needs language support - consider an agent who speaks your partners native language. Our MARA agents support Australian-Chinese couples seeking visa advice in Mandarin. If you have a complex case or need help appealing a rejection, make sure your agent is experienced in those areas. Some process straightforward cases, and refer complex cases to those with more experience. Our team recommends that you call an agent ahead of paying for any services. Find out what visas they specialize in assisting with. Make sure their expertise is suitable for your situation.
Who can sponsor a partner visa in Australia?
A sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who meets character and sponsorship rules. Learn more about sponsor character and eligibility rules from the Department of Home Affairs.
What happens after a partner visa agent lodges your application?
After a partner visa agent lodges your application, the Department of Home Affairs issues a lodgment confirmation showing your application has come in. If you applied onshore, you may be granted a Bridging Visa A that comes into effect when your existing visa expires. Your sponsor then completes their sponsorship application, and the Department will start assessing your relationship evidence, identity documents, police checks and health examinations. They may request further information from you at any time. A good partner visa agent helps you stay organised, understand each stage, and respond clearly to any requests, without being able to influence processing times or outcomes.



