Prospective Marriage Visa | Subclass 300
Prospective Marriage Visa
The Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) is a temporary visa designed for individuals who intend to come to Australia to marry their fiancé(e). This visa is the first step for couples who have met but are not yet living together, allowing you to enter Australia, get married, and then transition to a permanent Partner visa.
Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa – At a Glance
| FEATURE | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Visa Type | Temporary |
| Stay | 9 to 15 months |
| Cost | From $11,7101 |
| Processing Time | Approx. 13 – 31 months2 |
| Key Requirement | Intent to marry within visa validity |
Fees are subject to change by the Department and other concession fees may apply.
To view our professional services fees click here.
Key Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the 300 visa, you must meet several key criteria set by the Department of Home Affairs to ensure the integrity of the marriage pathway.
1. Sponsor Eligibility
You must be sponsored by your fiancé(e), who must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. Your sponsor must also be approved by the Department, and they cannot have a history of significant criminal offences or recent sponsorships for other partners.
2. Met in Person as Adults
A fundamental requirement is that you and your prospective spouse have met in person and are known to each other personally as adults (since turning 18). Online relationships that have not involved a physical meeting do not satisfy this requirement.
3. Genuine Intent to Marry
You must provide evidence that you genuinely intend to marry your fiancé within the 9 to 15-month period of the visa. This usually requires a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) from an authorised marriage celebrant in Australia.
4. Age, Health, and Character
Both you and your sponsor must be at least 18 years of age. You must also meet Australia’s health and character requirements, which include medical examinations and police clearances from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more over the last 10 years.
How to Apply for the Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa
A Step-by-Step Guide
Please note: The subclass 300 application is a particularly complex process that requires meticulous preparation of evidence. The advice of a Registered Migration Agent is highly advised.
Step 1: Initial Consultation & Strategy
The first step is a comprehensive assessment of your relationship history and sponsor eligibility. We ensure that the subclass 300 is the most effective pathway for your specific circumstances.
Step 2: Prepare the Decision-Ready Evidence
We assist you in gathering all required documents, including the NOIM, witness statements (Form 888s), and proof of your ongoing relationship.
Step 3: Lodge the Visa Application (Offshore)
You must be outside Australia when you apply for this visa and when the decision is made. We lodge the application through your ImmiAccount to ensure all data is correctly synchronised.
Step 4: Health and Character Checks
After lodgement, you will be requested to undergo medical exams and provide police checks. We monitor these requests to ensure no deadlines are missed.
Step 5: Final Grant and Arrival
Once the visa is granted, you can travel to Australia. You must then marry your fiancé(e) before the visa expires to remain eligible for the subsequent Partner visa.
Being on a Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa means…
What You Can Do on the Subclass 300 Visa
While on the Prospective Marriage visa, you have several key rights:
- Work and Study: You have full rights to work and study in Australia.
- Travel: You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you like.
- Transition to PR: Once you marry, you become eligible to apply for an onshore Partner visa (subclass 820/801) at a significantly reduced cost.
Your Visa Obligations
The most critical obligation is that you must marry your sponsor before the visa expires. If the marriage does not take place, your visa may be cancelled, and you may be required to depart Australia.
The Pathway to Permanent Residency
The subclass 300 is designed as a bridge. After your marriage, we will advise you in the lodgement of your Subclass 820 Partner (Temporary) visa and thereafter, the Subclass 801 Partner (Permanent) visa lodgement. Whilst this process takes a number of years, we advise you on the pathway from the outset – you’re in safe hands with the experts at Visa Advisory Australia.
Your Best Chance of Success with Visa Advisory Australia
The Prospective Marriage visa is heavily scrutinized for genuineness. A single inconsistency in your statements or a missing piece of evidence can lead to a refusal. Our expert team navigates this for you.
Our Subclass 300 Services include:
Comprehensive Eligibility Audit to ensure you meet the “met in person” and age requirements.
Evidence Optimization to present your relationship in the strongest possible light to the Department.
Celebrant Liaison to ensure your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) meets all legal migration standards.
Decision-Ready Lodgement to minimize processing delays and avoid unnecessary requests for information.
Future Pathway Planning for your subsequent transition to the subclass 820/801 Partner visa.
And much, much more.
Don’t risk your future together. Talk to an expert today.
Related Visas
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the
Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa
Q: Can I apply for the 300 visa while I am in Australia?
A: No. You must be outside Australia when you apply for the subclass 300 visa. If you are currently in Australia, you may want to consider Subclasses 820 and 801 Partner visas.
Q: Do we have to get married in Australia?
A: No. You can get married in any country, provided the marriage is legally recognised in that country and under Australian law.
Q: What happens if we don’t get married within the visa period?
A: If the marriage does not occur, you will likely lose your legal status in Australia. However, if there are compassionate or compelling reasons (such as domestic violence or the birth of a child), you may have other options. Contact us immediately for advice.
Q: Can I access Medicare on a 300 visa?
A: No. Subclass 300 holders are generally not eligible for Medicare. You must maintain adequate health insurance during your stay until you lodge your subclass 820 application.
- Base application charge only. Prices are subject to change. Source: Department of Home Affairs. ↩︎
- Visa processing time current as of 17 April 2026. For the latest processing time click here. ↩︎
