PARTNER & FAMILY MIGRATION
Prospective Marriage Visa
Subclass 300
For people intending to come to Australia to marry their prospective spouse and then apply for a Partner visa.
VISA TYPE
Temporary → Partner pathway
APPLY FROM
Outside Australia
GOVERNMENT VISA CHARGE
From AUD $11,710*
ESTIMATED PROCESSING TIME
14 - 26 months*
*Government charges and processing times are indicative and subject to change. Current at September 2026.
Who is the Prospective Marriage 300 visa for?
Engagement. Marriage in Australia. A pathway to a Partner visa.
The Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) is for people who are engaged to an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen and intend to marry after travelling to Australia.
The applicant must be outside Australia when the subclass 300 application is lodged. If granted, the visa allows the applicant to come to Australia to marry their prospective spouse.
After the marriage, an eligible subclass 300 holder can apply for the Partner visa (subclasses 820 and 801) in Australia. The subclass 300 is therefore the first stage of the pathway rather than a permanent Partner visa itself.
Key requirements for a Prospective Marriage 300 visa
01
Genuine intention to marry
The couple must genuinely intend to marry and continue their relationship as spouses.
02
Have met in person
The couple must generally have met each other in person as adults rather than having a relationship conducted solely online.
03
Eligible sponsor
The prospective spouse must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen and meet the applicable sponsorship requirements.
04
Apply outside Australia
The applicant must be outside Australia when the subclass 300 visa application is lodged.
05
Marriage plans
The application should include evidence of the couple's intention and arrangements to marry within the relevant visa period.
06
Health & character
Health and character requirements apply, and sponsor character requirements may also be relevant.
01
Assess eligibility
Check the relationship, sponsorship, previous meeting and offshore application position.
How the Prospective Marriage 300 visa process works
02
Prepare the application
Build the relationship evidence, marriage plans and supporting documents for applicant and sponsor.
03
Lodge the subclass 300 application
Submit the Prospective Marriage visa application while the applicant is outside Australia.
04
Travel & marry
If granted, the applicant travels to Australia and marries their prospective spouse within the visa's validity period.
05
Apply for the Partner visa
After marriage, lodge the onshore 820/801 Partner visa application within the required timeframe.
Things to check before applying for a subclass 300 visa
Have you met in person?
Online communication alone is not enough for this pathway. The circumstances in which the couple met and developed their relationship should be established before lodging.
Marriage arrangements
The proposed marriage should be realistically capable of taking place within the visa period. Evidence of the intended ceremony and arrangements should be prepared as part of the application.
Evidence of the relationship
Although the couple is not yet married, the application still needs persuasive evidence of a genuine relationship and the history and development of the commitment.
Planning the 820/801 stage
The subclass 300 is temporary. After marrying, an eligible visa holder can apply in Australia for the subclass 820/801 Partner visa. A reduced Partner visa application charge applies to eligible subclass 300 visa holders — currently from AUD $1,995*
*Government charges and processing times are indicative and subject to change. Current at September 2026.
Not sure whether the subclass 300 or another Partner visa pathway is right for you?
The appropriate Partner visa pathway depends on your relationship, where you are when applying and your plans to marry and live together in Australia. We can assess whether the Prospective Marriage visa or another Partner visa pathway better fits your circumstances.