Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300): Fiance Visa Guide
The Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) allows you to travel to Australia and marry your Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen partner within 9 months. After marrying, you apply for the onshore Subclass 820/801 partner visa to stay permanently. The visa costs $9,095, must be applied for from outside Australia, and requires evidence that your relationship is genuine and that you've met in person. It's a single-entry visa that gives you 9 months to marry and transition to a partner visa.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Visa subclass | 300 |
| Cost | $9,095 |
| Processing time | 14–26 months |
| Validity | 9 months from grant |
| Apply from | Outside Australia |
| Entry type | Single entry (can apply for BVB for travel) |
| Work rights | Yes — once in Australia |
| Must marry within | 9 months of entering Australia |
Who Is the 300 Visa For?
The Prospective Marriage Visa is for couples who intend to marry in Australia but haven't done so yet. It's commonly used when:
- You met your Australian partner overseas or online and plan to marry in Australia
- You want to have your wedding ceremony in Australia
- Religious or cultural requirements make it important to marry in Australia
- You need time to plan the wedding after arriving
If you're already married, you don't need the 300 — apply directly for the partner visa (Subclass 309/100 offshore or 820/801 onshore).
Requirements
You Must Have Met in Person
The Department requires evidence that you and your partner have met face to face. Online relationships alone don't qualify. This meeting can have been at any time — there's no recency requirement, but recent meetings strengthen the application.
Exceptions exist in extraordinary circumstances (e.g., cultural traditions where meeting before marriage isn't possible), but these are assessed strictly.
Genuine Relationship
You must demonstrate a genuine intention to marry and live together as partners. The Department assesses this through evidence similar to a partner visa relationship assessment, though the evidentiary requirements are slightly less extensive since you haven't yet married.
Your Sponsor
Your Australian partner must sponsor you. They must be:
- An Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Over 18 years of age
- Not currently sponsoring or have recently sponsored another partner (limitations apply)
Sponsorship Limitations
Your partner can't sponsor you if they:
- Are currently sponsoring another partner visa applicant
- Have previously sponsored a partner and the sponsorship was approved within the last 5 years
- Were themselves sponsored as a partner and that visa was granted within the last 5 years
Waivers exist for compelling circumstances, but they're rare.
Application Process
Step 1: Sponsor Applies
Your Australian partner lodges a sponsorship application through ImmiAccount.
Step 2: You Lodge the Visa Application
From outside Australia, you apply for the Subclass 300 through ImmiAccount. Include:
- Passport
- Evidence of relationship (photos, communication records, travel together)
- Evidence you've met in person
- Statements from you and your partner about the relationship
- Statements from friends/family who know you as a couple
- Police clearances
- Health examination results
- Evidence of planned marriage (venue booking, celebrant arranged)
Step 3: Wait for Processing
Processing times are currently 14-26 months. During this time, you remain outside Australia.
Step 4: Visa Granted
Once granted, you have 9 months to enter Australia and marry your partner.
After Arriving in Australia
Getting Married
You must marry your partner within 9 months of entering Australia. The marriage must be legally valid under Australian law. This means:
- Both parties over 18
- Ceremony conducted by a registered celebrant or minister
- Notice of Intended Marriage lodged at least 1 month before the ceremony
- Marriage registered with the state births, deaths, and marriages registry
Applying for the Partner Visa
After marrying, apply for the Subclass 820 (temporary partner) and Subclass 801 (permanent partner) visa. This is lodged onshore in Australia.
The 820 is usually granted relatively quickly after the 300 application, since the Department has already assessed your relationship once. However, the 801 (permanent stage) takes approximately 2 years from the 820 application date.
Important: Don't delay applying for the 820 after marrying. If your 300 visa expires before you lodge the 820 application, you become unlawful in Australia.
Costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Prospective Marriage Visa (300) | $9,095 |
| Partner Visa (820/801) after marriage | $9,095 |
| Total pathway cost | ~$18,190 in visa fees |
The total cost of the 300→820/801 pathway is approximately double the cost of applying directly for a partner visa. This is because you're paying for two separate visa applications. If you can marry before your partner lodges a visa application, applying directly for the partner visa (309/100 or 820/801) is cheaper.
300 Visa vs Direct Partner Visa
| Feature | 300 (Prospective Marriage) | 309/100 (Partner Offshore) |
|---|---|---|
| Must be married? | No — marry after arrival | Yes (or 12 months de facto) |
| Apply from | Outside Australia | Outside Australia |
| Cost | $9,095 + $9,095 (820 later) | $9,095 (one application) |
| Total cost | ~$18,190 | ~$9,095 |
| Processing | 14-26 months (300) + 2 years (820/801) | 12-32 months (309) + 2 years (100) |
| Work rights | After arrival | After visa grant |
If cost is a concern and you can marry before applying, the direct partner visa pathway is significantly cheaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work in Australia on a 300 visa?
Yes. Once you arrive in Australia on the 300 visa, you have full work rights. You can also study without restrictions.
What if we don't marry within 9 months?
If you don't marry within 9 months, your 300 visa expires and you must leave Australia. There are no extensions. In compelling circumstances (illness, unforeseen events), the Department may consider a waiver, but this is exceptional.
Can I apply for the 300 visa if we're already in a de facto relationship?
If you've been in a de facto relationship for 12 months or more, you may be better off applying directly for a partner visa. The 300 is specifically for couples who plan to marry but haven't yet.
What if my 300 visa is refused?
You can seek review at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. If the refusal was based on relationship genuineness, you'll need stronger evidence for the review.
Can I bring my children on a 300 visa?
Yes. Dependent children can be included in the application. They'll need their own health examinations and police clearances (if over 16).
Do I need a wedding planned before applying?
While not mandatory, evidence of wedding plans (venue booking, celebrant, guest list) strengthens your application by demonstrating genuine intention to marry.
