The prospective marriage visa subclass 300 is the first step taken by couples who are engaged and ready to build a life together in Australia. In case you are not yet married and are willing to marry your Australian partner, then you can use the visa to lawfully enter Australia, get married, and then qualify for permanent residency.
Keep reading as this guide explains eligibility, application steps, timelines, and how this visa compares to the standard Partner Visa pathway.
What Is the Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300)?
The Fiance Visa, also known as the Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300), is a temporary visa that allows an engaged individual to travel to Australia to marry.
Your sponsoring partner must be:
- An Australian citizen
- An Australian permanent resident
- Or a qualified citizen of New Zealand.
The application needs to be lodged offshore. Upon issuance, the visa normally permits you to come to Australia and stay for between 9 and 15 months, during which you are expected to marry your partner.
Key Differences At A Glance: Prospective Marriage Visa Vs Partner Visa Australia
Seeing the two options side by side makes the decision clearer. The table below highlights the essential differences.
| Factor | Partner Visa (820/801 onshore, 309/100 offshore) | Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) |
| Relationship status at application | Married or de facto (with evidence) | Engaged, genuine intention to marry in Australia |
| Apply onshore or offshore | Both options exist (820/801 onshore, 309/100 offshore) | Offshore at the time of application |
| Visa cost | One main application charge for the Partner pathway (temporary to permanent staged) | Initial PMV charge, then later a Partner Visa charge after marriage (two-step cost) |
| Typical processing times | Vary by stream and caseload; plan for many months | PMV processing first, then additional time for Partner Visa after marriage |
| Validity/pathway | Temporary Partner Visa first, then permanent Partner Visa | Valid for approximately 9-15 months; must marry and apply for Partner Visa |
| Work & travel rights | Broad work and travel rights; Medicare access onshore (820) | Generally, work and travel rights; Medicare usually available at Partner stage |
| Sponsorship duties | Sponsor must meet character and sponsorship rules | Same sponsor rules apply at each stage |
Also Read: 5 Tips to Get a Successful Partner Visa Australia
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for the subclass 300 visa, strict eligibility requirements must be met under Australian migration law.
Core subclass 300 visa Australia requirements:
- You must be 18 years or older.
- You should also have a sponsor who is 18 years old.
- You have to have health and character qualifications.
- Your sponsor has to meet character requirements.
- You have to have met as adults and know one another personally.
- You should have a real intention of getting married during the visa period.
- You must genuinely intend to live together as spouses.
The Australian authorities are very, very strict when determining whether the relationship is authentic and enduring. Evidence is a very important factor.
The Application Process Step by Step
Applying for the subclass 300 visa involves several structured steps.
You need to follow several steps when applying for the prospective marriage visa subclass 300.
Step 1: Gather Supporting Documents
You will need:
- Passport, birth certificate, or any other valid ID proof
- Police clearances
- Relationship evidence
- At least two Form 888 statutory declarations
- Evidence that you have met in person
- Proof of wedding arrangements (e.g., celebrant letter, venue booking)
- Statements detailing the history of your relationship
Everything has to be accurate and complete.
Step 2: Lodge the Application
Applications are to be submitted online using ImmiAccount while you are offshore.
Step 3: Sponsorship Lodgement
Once you have placed your visa application, your partner will be required to send their sponsorship form and supporting documents through ImmiAccount.
Step 4: Monitor Processing
The Department of Home Affairs communicates through ImmiAccount. The processing time differs, though nowadays it takes 13-27 months, depending on the caseload and personal conditions.
Must Read: How Do Onshore And Offshore Partner Visas Differ?
After Marriage: The Next Stage
After getting married in Australia, the next step is to apply for the onshore Visa 820/801 Partner Visa.
This creates a staged pathway:
- Temporary Partner Visa (Subclass 820)
- Permanent Partner Visa (Subclass 801)
Processing Times and Costs
The Prospective Marriage 300 visa processing time varies in regard to application volumes and complexity. The initial fiancé visa stage may take many months, and once married, the Partner Visa stage also requires significant processing time. The Visa application fees are charged by the government.
The Prospective Marriage 300 visa processing time varies in regard to application volumes and complexity. The initial fiancé visa stage can take 15-23 months, and once married, the Partner Visa stage also requires significant processing time.
Visa application fees are charged by the government and start from AUD9,365.00. The prospective marriage visa cost considerations also include:
The prospective marriage visa cost considerations are:
- Health examinations
- Police checks
- Translation services (where necessary)
- Migration agent’s fee (when professional help is required)
Because the pathway involves two separate visa applications, the overall costs can become more expensive than applying directly for a Partner Visa, where eligible.
Read this: What Are The Best And Easy Way To Migrate to Australia?
Work, Travel, and Living in Australia
While holding the visa, you are allowed to:
- Work in Australia
- Travel in and out of Australia
But the access to Medicare is usually offered when you enter the Partner Visa stage, though there may be certain exceptions. It is better to get in touch with an immigration agent in Perth for expert guidance.
One should realise that this visa is not a permanent one and is conditional upon marriage within the validity period.
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Final Thoughts
The prospective marriage visa subclass 300 visa provides engaged couples with a well-organised pathway to starting a new life in Australia. It allows temporary entry for the purpose of getting married and leads to a Partner Visa application after the wedding.
You need careful preparation, honest documentation, and understanding of where you want to be in the long run in terms of residency. When managed properly, this visa may turn out to be the first significant step towards a long, permanent life in Australia.
