Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300)
Bring your fiancé(e) to Australia to marry and begin your life together. The Subclass 300 visa allows you to enter Australia to marry your Australian partner, with a clear pathway to permanent residency.
Visa Benefits at a Glance
Everything you need to start your new life together in Australia
Marry in Australia
Enter Australia to marry your prospective spouse within 9–15 months of visa grant
Full Work Rights
Work for any employer without restrictions while in Australia
Study in Australia
Enrol in courses and educational programs during your stay
Unlimited Travel
Enter and exit Australia multiple times during visa validity
Medicare Access
Access Australia’s healthcare system (if eligible under reciprocal agreements)
Pathway to PR
Apply for Partner visa (820/801) after marriage with reduced application fee
Eligibility Requirements
Key criteria for visa applicants and sponsors
For Visa Applicants
Must be at least 18 years old at time of application
Genuinely engaged to marry Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen
Must have met your prospective spouse face-to-face as adults
Mutual intention to marry within visa validity period
Must be outside Australia when applying and when visa is granted
Meet Australian health standards through approved examinations
Meet character standards with police clearances
Adequate health insurance arrangements for stay in Australia
For Sponsors
Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
Must be at least 18 years old
Genuinely committed to marrying applicant before visa expires
Maximum 2 partner/prospective marriage sponsorships in lifetime
Minimum 5 years between previous and current sponsorship
Meet character requirements with statutory declarations
What Makes the Prospective Marriage Visa Special?
Benefits for both visa holders and sponsors
For Visa Holders
- Live with your partner for 9–15 months
- Full work rights from day one
- Study opportunities available
- Unlimited travel during validity
- Time to settle and plan wedding
- Experience Australian life together
- Clear pathway to permanent residence
- Reduced Partner visa fee if applied before expiry
For Sponsors
- Bring fiancé(e) to Australia legally
- Plan wedding together in Australia
- Peace of mind with proper visa arrangements
- Support partner’s transition to Australian life
- Begin married life without prolonged separation
- Streamlined pathway to permanent residence
Pathway to Permanent Residence
Clear journey from prospective marriage visa to Australian permanent residency
1 Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300)
Temporary visa valid for 9–15 months. Enter Australia and marry your partner.
2 Partner Visa (Subclass 820)
Apply after marriage, before Prospective Marriage visa expires. Temporary Partner visa granted allowing you to live, work, and study in Australia.
3 Partner Visa (Subclass 801)
Permanent visa component usually assessed approximately 2 years after lodgement. Full permanent residence with pathway to citizenship.
Required Documents
Comprehensive documentation needed for a successful application
🪪 Applicant Identity
- Valid passport
- Passport-style photographs
- Birth certificate
- Evidence of name change (if applicable)
💕 Relationship Evidence
- Photos together
- Communication records (emails, messages, calls)
- Joint documents
- Statutory declaration about your relationship
✈️ Meeting in Person
- Travel documents showing visits
- Photos together in person
- Flight tickets and boarding passes
- Witness statements confirming meetings
🔍 Health & Character
- Police clearances from all countries (12+ months since age 16)
- Medical examination results
- Divorce/death certificates (if previously married)
- Dependent children documents (if applicable)
📋 Sponsor Documents
- Proof of citizenship/residency
- Passport, driver’s license, birth certificate
- Completed Form 40SP
- Statutory declaration
📁 Sponsor Supporting
- Relationship evidence
- Police clearance (if required)
- Previous sponsorship documentation
- Financial capacity evidence (if required)
Visa Costs
Government fees and professional service charges
Government Fees
Paid to Department of Home Affairs
- Main applicant visa fee
- Additional fees for dependent children
- Health examinations (~$300–500)
- Police certificates (varies by country)
- Biometrics (if applicable)
Our Professional Service
Based on case complexity
- Initial consultation & assessment
- Complete application preparation
- Sponsorship application assistance
- Relationship evidence guidance
- Statutory declarations & statements
- Document review & certification guidance
- Application lodgement via ImmiAccount
- Ongoing case management
- DHA communication handling
- Partner visa (820/801) pathway guidance
💡 Reduced Partner Visa Fee
Marry before your Prospective Marriage visa expires and apply for the Partner visa (820/801) before expiry to benefit from a significantly reduced application fee — saving you thousands of dollars on government fees and ensuring a seamless transition to permanent residence.
Application Process
Step-by-step journey to bringing your fiancé(e) to Australia
Initial Consultation & Assessment
Comprehensive eligibility assessment for both applicant and sponsor. Review relationship history and identify any potential issues.
Evidence Gathering & Documentation
Compile comprehensive relationship evidence including proof of genuine relationship, face-to-face meetings, communication records, photos, travel documents, and intention to marry.
Application Preparation
Prepare complete visa application with Form 47SP, Form 40SP, statutory declarations, supporting statements, and document checklists.
Health & Character Checks
Arrange health examinations with panel physicians and obtain police clearance certificates from all relevant countries.
Application Lodgement
Lodge complete application through ImmiAccount with all forms, documents, and evidence correctly submitted.
Department Processing
Monitor application and respond promptly to any Department requests for further information.
Visa Grant
Receive visa grant and briefing on visa conditions, travel arrangements, and next steps for marriage planning.
Partner Visa Pathway
After marriage, assistance with transition to permanent residence through Partner visa (820/801) application.
Why Choose VisaTasker?
Expert migration assistance for your prospective marriage visa
100% Success Rate
Perfect track record for all prospective marriage visa applications
No Win, No Fee
If refused, you don’t pay our professional fees
MARA Registered
Registered migration agents (MARN 2318017) with professional expertise
Partner Visa Specialists
Extensive experience in relationship-based visa applications
Responsive Service
Timely updates throughout the entire process
Comprehensive Support
From initial assessment to visa grant and beyond
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between a Prospective Marriage visa (300) and a Partner visa (820/801)?
The Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) is for people who are engaged to an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen and intend to travel to Australia to marry their partner. It is a temporary visa valid for 9 to 15 months.
The Partner visa (subclass 820/801) is for people who are already married to or in a de facto relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. The 820 is the temporary component and the 801 is the permanent component.
2. Do we need to be formally engaged to apply?
Yes, you and your Australian sponsor must have a mutual intention to marry each other before the visa expires. While a formal engagement ring or ceremony is not required, you must demonstrate that you are genuinely committed to marrying each other.
Evidence of intention to marry includes:
- Engagement announcements
- Wedding planning correspondence
- Communications discussing marriage plans
- Venue bookings or enquiries
- Witness statements from family and friends
- Statutory declarations from both parties
3. Do we need to have met in person to apply?
Yes, this is a strict requirement. You and your prospective spouse must have met in person and be personally known to each other. The Department requires evidence that you have met face-to-face as adults (since both turning 18 years old).
Evidence of having met in person includes:
- Travel documents showing visits to each other’s countries
- Photos together in person over time
- Flight tickets and boarding passes
- Hotel bookings
- Witness statements from people who saw you together
- Joint activities and outings
4. Can I include my children in the application?
Yes, you can include your dependent children in your Prospective Marriage visa application. Your children must meet the definition of dependent child, which generally means they are:
- Under 18 years old, unmarried, and dependent on you
- 18 to 23 years old, unmarried, financially dependent on you, and a full-time student
- Over 18 years old with a substantial physical or mental disability that prevents them from working
All children included in the application must meet health and character requirements and be outside Australia when the visa is granted.
5. How long can I stay in Australia on this visa?
The Prospective Marriage visa is valid for 9 to 15 months from the date of grant. During this time, you must enter Australia and marry your prospective spouse. The exact validity period will be specified in your visa grant letter.
6. What happens if I don’t marry before the visa expires?
If you do not marry your prospective spouse before your Prospective Marriage visa expires, you will need to leave Australia unless you hold another valid visa. You cannot extend the Prospective Marriage visa.
If circumstances change and you are unable to marry within the visa validity period (for example, due to illness, family emergency, or unforeseen circumstances), you should seek professional migration advice immediately.
7. Can I work and study on a Prospective Marriage visa?
Yes! The Prospective Marriage visa comes with full work and study rights. This means you can:
- Work for any employer in any occupation without restrictions
- Be self-employed or start a business
- Enrol in educational courses and study programs
- Access vocational training and tertiary education
These unrestricted rights allow you to settle into Australian life, gain work experience, and support yourself financially while planning your wedding.
8. Can my sponsor have sponsored someone else before?
Your sponsor cannot have successfully sponsored more than two people for partner or prospective marriage visas in their lifetime. Additionally, if they have sponsored one person previously, at least 5 years must have passed since that sponsorship was approved.
There are limited exceptions to this rule in compelling or compassionate circumstances. If your sponsor has previously sponsored partners, we can assess your specific situation and advise on your options.
Prospective Marriage (300) vs Partner Visa (309/100)
Choosing the right visa for your situation
| Aspect | Prospective Marriage (300) | Offshore Partner (309/100) |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship Status | Engaged (not yet married) | Married or de facto |
| Visa Type | Temporary (9–15 months) | Provisional → Permanent |
| Location When Applying | Must be outside Australia | Must be outside Australia |
| Application Fee | $9,365 | $9,365 |
| Work & Study Rights | Yes – full rights | Yes – full rights |
| Pathway to PR | Apply for 820/801 after marriage (reduced fee) | Automatic progression to subclass 100 |
| Key Requirement | Must marry within visa validity | Must be in genuine relationship |
Ready to Bring Your Fiancé(e) to Australia?
Our experienced MARA-registered migration agents are here to guide you through every step of your Prospective Marriage visa application with our 100% success record and no win, no fee guarantee.
Book Your Consultation TodayRelated Partner Visa Options
Explore our other partner visa resources to find the right pathway for your situation:
- Partner Visa Australia — Complete Guide — Comprehensive overview of all Australian partner visa options
- Offshore Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100) — For applicants currently outside Australia
- Onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801) — For applicants currently in Australia
Not sure which partner visa pathway is right for you? Contact VisaTasker for a personalised consultation with our MARA-registered migration agents.
Reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services
MARA Registered Migration Agent · MARN 2318017
This page is written and reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services, a MARA-registered migration agency based in Australia. As registered agents, we are bound by the Migration Agents Code of Conduct and required to provide accurate, up-to-date advice based on Australian migration legislation. Information is reviewed against the latest Department of Home Affairs policy.