Prospective Marriage (Fiancé(e)) Visa, Subclass 300
The Prospective Marriage visa lets the fiancé(e) of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen travel to Australia, marry their sponsor, and then apply for a partner visa that leads to permanent residence. It is for applicants outside Australia.
The Prospective Marriage visa lets a fiancé(e) travel to Australia to marry their sponsor. The couple must have met in person and be genuinely committed to marrying. After the wedding, the next step is to apply for the Partner visa.
- TypeTemporary
- SponsorAustralian partner
- MustMarry within the visa period
- Next stepPartner visa (820/801)
Overview
The Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) lets your fiancé(e) travel to Australia to marry you.
- After the wedding, the visa holder applies for an onshore partner visa (820/801), which leads to permanent residence.
- It is for applicants outside Australia, and the sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- The visa is temporary and tied to a clear plan: arrive, marry, then apply for the partner visa.
Who this suits
Couples who have met in person, are engaged and plan to marry in Australia
Partners living overseas who are not yet married and do not qualify for a partner visa as a de facto couple
Couples who want the wedding to take place in Australia with family and friends present
Sponsors who want a clear step-by-step route to a partner visa after marriage
Key facts
- Temporary visa, generally valid for 9 months, and in some circumstances up to 15 months.
- You must be outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is granted.
- Work and study are allowed while the visa is valid.
- You must marry your sponsor before the visa expires, then apply for the onshore partner visa (820/801).
Government application fees
Prospective Marriage (300)
Main applicant$11,710
Additional applicant 18+$5,860
Additional applicant under 18$2,935
A later partner visa application by a Prospective Marriage visa holder is charged at a lower rate. Check the current amount with Home Affairs.
These are the Department of Home Affairs charges only. They are indexed each 1 July, so confirm the current amount with the Department before you lodge. Other costs may apply, such as health examinations, police certificates, skills assessments and the Skilling Australians Fund levy. Our professional fees are separate.
What you need to qualify
- You and your sponsor are both at least 18 years old.
- Your sponsor is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, and is approved as your sponsor.
- You have met in person as adults, and you can show you know each other well.
- You are both free to marry each other under Australian law, and you genuinely intend to marry within the visa period.
- You meet health and character requirements, including police certificates where required.
How the process works
- 01Confirm eligibility for you and your sponsor, and check the plan for the wedding
- 02Prepare evidence: identity, proof of the relationship, proof you met in person, the Notice of Intended Marriage, and health and character documents
- 03Lodge the application and wait for a decision while you remain outside Australia
- 04Travel to Australia once granted and marry your sponsor within the visa period
- 05Apply for the partner visa (820/801) after the wedding
Documents you will need
- Identity: passports, birth certificates and evidence of any previous marriages ending
- Relationship: photos, messages, call records and statements from family and friends who know about the relationship
- Meeting history: travel records, tickets and photos showing you met in person as adults
- Marriage plans: the Notice of Intended Marriage and any details of the planned ceremony
- Health and character: police certificates and the health examinations the department asks for
After the visa is granted
- Plan your travel and wedding date so the marriage takes place before the visa expires.
- Once you are married, the partner visa application can be lodged onshore, so keep your marriage certificate and updated relationship evidence together.
- If the marriage does not go ahead within the visa period, the visa holder may need to leave Australia, so seek advice early if plans change.
- The rules about the validity period and the next-stage application can change, and we confirm the current position with you.
How we help
- Review your eligibility and your sponsor’s
- Organise evidence of your relationship and your meeting history
- Prepare the application and respond to department requests
- Advise on the partner visa application after the marriage
Common pitfalls
- Not enough evidence that the relationship is genuine and continuing
- Dates and statements that do not match across documents
- No realistic plan for living arrangements and finances after marriage
- Leaving the wedding too late, so the visa expires before the marriage takes place
Frequently asked questions
Where must I be when I apply?
You must be outside Australia both when you apply and when the visa is granted. Your sponsor can be in Australia. If you are already in Australia, a different visa pathway may suit you better, and we can look at the options with you.
How long is the visa valid?
It is a temporary visa, and the marriage must take place within its validity period, so it helps to plan the wedding before you travel. We explain how long your visa will be valid and what happens after the wedding.
What must I do after arriving?
You must marry your sponsor before the visa expires. After the wedding, you can lodge the onshore partner visa (820/801) if you want to stay long term. We help you time that application so there is no gap in your plans.
Do we have to have met in person?
Yes. You and your sponsor must have met in person as adults, and we will ask for evidence of that, such as photos, travel records and messages. Meeting only online is not enough. We help you assemble a clear, consistent record of how your relationship developed.
Can I work or study on this visa?
Yes, work and study are allowed while the visa is valid. Still, the visa is intended to let you marry your sponsor, so plan around that main purpose. We can confirm the conditions attached to your visa when it is granted.
What happens if we do not marry in time?
If the marriage does not take place before the visa expires, you generally cannot rely on this visa to apply for the partner visa. Your options at that point depend on your circumstances. Please speak with us early if your plans change, so we can advise on next steps.