Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300)
Plan your marriage and your future together
Our immigration lawyers help engaged couples prepare a subclass 300 application and plan the next steps towards a partner visa.
Regal Migration Services
15 Min Free Consultation
About the Prospective Marriage Visa
The subclass 300 visa is a temporary pathway for eligible applicants who intend to marry their Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen partner. You apply outside Australia. It is distinct from the married or de facto partner pathways under subclasses 820/801 and 309/100.
Who can apply?
You and your prospective spouse must be at least 18 at lodgement, have met in person as adults and know each other personally. You must genuinely intend to marry within the visa period and live together as spouses. Your prospective spouse must be an eligible, approved sponsor. We also review previous sponsorships, relevant convictions and immigration history.
Evidence of your relationship and marriage plans
Your application should explain how you met, how the relationship developed, time spent together and your future plans. Evidence may include visits, communication, photographs, statements from people who know you, and arrangements for the intended marriage. Where either partner was previously married, evidence that the earlier marriage has ended may be needed. We help address gaps and inconsistencies before lodgement.
Visa duration, work and travel
The grant normally allows a stay of nine to fifteen months from grant, as specified in your visa letter. You can work and study in Australia and travel while the visa remains valid. Check the first-entry date and every condition in your grant notice. You must enter Australia on the visa and marry your prospective spouse before expiry. The marriage can take place in any country if valid under Australian law.
After marriage: subclasses 820 and 801
If you want to settle in Australia, apply for the onshore partner pathway after marriage and before the 300 expires. This requires a new application and a separate visa charge; eligible 300 holders applying in time pay a reduced partner visa charge. Marriage does not automatically extend the 300 or grant permanent residence. Prepare the partner evidence and timing well before the expiry date.
Family, health and changes in circumstances
Eligible family members may be included and must satisfy applicable health and character requirements. Family applying with you must also be outside Australia at lodgement. Health insurance is recommended because a 300 grant does not itself establish general Medicare eligibility. Tell Home Affairs about changes to your relationship or family; marrying during processing can change the appropriate pathway. Family violence or a sponsor’s death may require advice about specific provisions.
Our immigration lawyers assist with pathway selection, sponsorship, evidence and Department requests. Fees and processing times change. Read current Home Affairs guidance.
Am I Eligible?
Eligibility criteria for subclass 300
Genuine Relationship:
The applicant must be in a genuine relationship with their prospective spouse, who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Age and Personal Meeting
You and your prospective spouse must be at least 18 and have met in person as adults before applying.
Intention to Marry and Live Together:
The applicant must demonstrate their intention to marry within the granted visa period and their commitment to living together as a married couple.
Sponsor Eligibility:
The prospective spouse must meet eligibility criteria to sponsor the applicant, including age, criminal record, past sponsorship history, and visa history.
Health and Character Requirements:
The applicant must satisfy health and character requirements as set by the Department of Home Affairs.
Choose the right relationship pathway
We assess whether prospective marriage, onshore partner or offshore partner requirements best fit your circumstances.
Your Journey: Marriage and the Partner Visa
Plan the prospective marriage grant and the later partner application as separate steps.
1. Prepare the Application
Apply outside Australia with evidence of your relationship, personal meeting and genuine intention to marry.
2. Sponsorship and Assessment
Confirm your prospective spouse’s eligible status and sponsorship history, and respond to Department requests.
3. Enter and Marry
Enter Australia on the 300 visa and marry your prospective spouse before expiry. The marriage can occur in any country if valid under Australian law.
4. Check Your Grant Conditions
The stay normally lasts nine to fifteen months from grant. Check your first-entry date, visa expiry, work and travel conditions.
5. Prepare Partner Evidence
Keep evidence of your shared life after marriage and organise the documents required for the next application.
6. Apply for 820/801 in Time
To settle in Australia, lodge the further partner application after marriage and before the 300 expires. A separate application and visa charge apply.
Plan Your Healthcare
Health insurance is recommended. A subclass 300 grant does not itself establish general Medicare eligibility.
Keep Details Current
Tell Home Affairs about relevant relationship, passport and family changes. Seek advice promptly if circumstances change.
Consultation
We’ll arrange an in-person or online consultation to review your case, assess your eligibility for the 300 visa, and advise you on any better visa options if applicable.
Service Agreement
If you choose our services, we’ll sign a service agreement clearly outlining the scope and terms of our assistance with your visa application and representation.
Document Guidance
We’ll provide a full document checklist and guide you through gathering all required documents and information, supporting you every step of the way.
Application Preparation
Our experienced team will prepare your visa application, include all required documents, and lodge it with the Department on your behalf.
Point of Contact
We’ll be your main contact with the Department, handling all correspondence related to your application on your behalf.
Ongoing Support
We will handle all communication with the Department and submit any additional information or documents on your behalf.
Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300)
Plan your marriage and your future together
Our immigration lawyers help engaged couples prepare a subclass 300 application and plan the next steps towards a partner visa.
Book a consultation →About the Prospective Marriage Visa
The subclass 300 visa is a temporary pathway for eligible applicants who intend to marry their Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen partner. You apply outside Australia. It is distinct from the married or de facto partner pathways under subclasses 820/801 and 309/100.
Application stages
1. Prospective Marriage visa application
Apply for subclass 300 from outside Australia and provide evidence of the relationship, having met in person as adults, the intention to marry and proposed marriage arrangements. The eligible partner separately provides sponsorship information. This application is distinct from a partner visa application.
2. Grant and marriage
After grant, check the visa validity and conditions and marry the intended partner within the required period. A subclass 300 visa does not become a partner visa automatically upon marriage.
3. New combined 820/801 application
After marriage, a separate combined onshore partner application is normally required before the 300 visa expires. The applicant and sponsor provide updated marriage, relationship and sponsorship evidence, and the applicable partner application charge must be checked.
4. Temporary and permanent partner stages
The Department assesses subclass 820 and later subclass 801 under the partner pathway. Permanent assessment is generally linked to two years after the combined partner application, subject to qualifying earlier assessment. Keep evidence and report changes throughout.
Who can apply?
You and your prospective spouse must be at least 18 at lodgement, have met in person as adults and know each other personally. You must genuinely intend to marry within the visa period and live together as spouses. Your prospective spouse must be an eligible, approved sponsor. We also review previous sponsorships, relevant convictions and immigration history.
Evidence of your relationship and marriage plans
Your application should explain how you met, how the relationship developed, time spent together and your future plans. Evidence may include visits, communication, photographs, statements from people who know you, and arrangements for the intended marriage. Where either partner was previously married, evidence that the earlier marriage has ended may be needed. We help address gaps and inconsistencies before lodgement.
Visa duration, work and travel
The grant normally allows a stay of nine to fifteen months from grant, as specified in your visa letter. You can work and study in Australia and travel while the visa remains valid. Check the first-entry date and every condition in your grant notice. You must enter Australia on the visa and marry your prospective spouse before expiry. The marriage can take place in any country if valid under Australian law.
After marriage: subclasses 820 and 801
If you want to settle in Australia, apply for the onshore partner pathway after marriage and before the 300 expires. This requires a new application and a separate visa charge; eligible 300 holders applying in time pay a reduced partner visa charge. Marriage does not automatically extend the 300 or grant permanent residence. Prepare the partner evidence and timing well before the expiry date.
Family, health and changes in circumstances
Eligible family members may be included and must satisfy applicable health and character requirements. Family applying with you must also be outside Australia at lodgement. Health insurance is recommended because a 300 grant does not itself establish general Medicare eligibility. Tell Home Affairs about changes to your relationship or family; marrying during processing can change the appropriate pathway. Family violence or a sponsor’s death may require advice about specific provisions.
Our immigration lawyers assist with pathway selection, sponsorship, evidence and Department requests. Fees and processing times change. Read current Home Affairs guidance.
Discuss your circumstances
Our immigration lawyers can assess eligibility, identify the evidence needed and explain the next steps for your circumstances.
Book a consultation or call (03) 9013 5600. Tell us promptly if your visa is expiring or a response or review deadline applies.
General information. Requirements, fees and processing times can change. Check the current Home Affairs guidance linked above and obtain advice about your individual circumstances.