Prospective Marriage Visa - Bring Your Partner to Australia For Marry
The Prospective Marriage Visa Subclass 300 allows you to enter Australia to marry your Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen partner. After marriage, you apply for the Partner visa and permanent residency.
Key Facts
Status
Temporary Residency
Must be
Outside Australia when apply and when it's granted
Leads to
Onshore partner visas(subclass 820/801)
Processing
Around 12-23 months (50% to 90% process)
What Is the Subclass 300 Visa?
The Prospective Marriage Visa Subclass 300 is a temporary fiancee visa Australia that lets you travel to Australia specifically to marry your prospective spouse. This is not a permanent visa. It is the first stage of your marriage visa Australia pathway. Once married, you apply for the Partner visa (Subclass 820/subclass 801) to gain permanent residency.
You must be outside Australia when you apply. Your prospective spouse sponsors you. You must marry before the visa expires—no extensions are granted.
Eligibility Requirements For Prospective Marriage Visa
To be eligible for prospective marriage visa, you need to meet requirements across several categories.
- You and your sponsor must be 18 years or older
- You must be outside Australia when you apply
- You can be inside or outside Australia when the decision is made
- You must have met face-to-face as adults (since turning 18)
- You must know each other personally at the time of application
- You must genuinely intend to marry before the visa expires
- Same-sex and opposite-sex relationships are recognized
Your prospective spouse (sponsor) must be an:
- Australian citizen, or
- Australian permanent resident, or
- Eligible New Zealand citizen
The Department must approve your sponsor.
- You and family members applying must meet health requirements
- You and family members aged 16+ must meet character requirements
- You must have no debt to the Australian government (or have repayment arranged)
- You must have no debt to the Australian government (or have repayment arranged)
- Read (or have explained) the Life in Australia booklet
- Sign the Australian Values Statement
Your immigration history is considered. Previous visa cancellations or refusals may affect eligibility. Seek professional advice if this applies to you.
Your Success Depends on Your Partner Eligibility
How to Apply Prospective Marriage Visa: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility and Get Help
Verify you meet all requirements before investing time and money. Moreover, you can get expert help and appoint anyone to receive correspondence of your visa application. The person must be:
- a registered migration agent
- a legal practitioner
- an exempt person
The Migration can help you with your application from start to end to ensure you don’t make any mistake at any stage.
Step 2: Gather Documents
We prepare and submit a complete, professional application
- Birth certificate (showing both parents' names)
- Current passport (photo page, personal details, validity dates)
- National identity card (if applicable)
- Proof of name change (if applicable)
- Two Form 888 statutory declarations from witnesses who:
- Are 18+ years old
- Know both of you personally
- Can attest to your relationship
- Evidence you met face-to-face as adults (travel records, photos with dates, stamps)
- Letter from wedding officiant confirming marriage within 9 months of visa grant
- Written statements from both of you covering:
- How, when, where you met
- How relationship developed
- Engagement details
- Future plans together
Providing strong relationship evidence partner visa documentation is essential. You must demonstrate you continue to be in a genuine relationship with your sponsor.
Relationship Documents:
- Commonwealth statutory declaration completed by your sponsor addressing: mutual commitment, genuine and continuing relationship, living arrangements, when the relationship began, financial commitments, nature of household, social aspects, nature of commitment, and future plans
- Marriage certificate (if married) or proof of de facto relationship
Financial Evidence:
- Joint mortgage or lease documents
- Joint loan documents for major assets (homes, cars, appliances)
- Joint bank account statements
- Household bills in both names
Household Evidence:
- Statement about how you share housework
- Household bills in both names
- Mail or emails addressed to both
- Documents showing joint responsibility for children
- Documents proving your living arrangements
Social Evidence:
- Statements from 2 witnesses (18+ years old) who know you both and your relationship, completed using Form 888
- Evidence that witnesses are Australian citizens or permanent residents
- Joint invitations or evidence you go out together
- Proof of friends in common
- Proof you have notified government, public, or commercial bodies about your relationship
- Proof of joint sporting, cultural, or social activities
- Proof you travel together
Commitment Evidence:
- Evidence showing knowledge of each other's background, family situation, and personal details
- Evidence that you have combined your personal matters
- Evidence you stay in touch when apart
- Evidence you are not related by family
- Terms of your wills (if applicable)
- Australian Federal Police Certificate (complete disclosure only—if you lived in Australia 12+ months in last 10 years since age 16)
- Overseas police certificates from every country where you lived 12+ months in last 10 years since age 16
- Form 80 – Personal particulars for character assessment
- Military service records (if applicable)
Police certificates valid for 12 months from issue date.
- Arrange through Department-approved panel physicians
- Valid for 12 months from examination date
- All documents must be in English (use NAATI-accredited translators in Australia, or qualified translators overseas with credentials stated)
- Scan/photograph in colour, ensure legibility
- Save multi-page documents as single files
- Certification not required
Step 3: Lodge Online
- Log into ImmiAccount
- Select “New application” → “Family” → “Stage 1 – Partner or Prospective Marriage Visa”
- Complete application accurately
- Pay visa application charge
- Submit and note your Transaction Reference Number (TRN)
- Attach all documents (limit: 100 per applicant)
- Give your TRN to your sponsor. They must apply to sponsor you as soon as possible after you lodge.
- Complete health examinations. Provide biometrics if requested by the Department.
Step 4: Wait for Decision
- Monitor ImmiAccount for requests
- Respond promptly to any information requests
- Do not book travel until you receive written visa grant confirmation
Subclass 300 Visa Cost & Processing Time
Visa fees and processing times are based on official Department of Home Affairs data. Processing times vary significantly depending on the stream and individual circumstances.
Processing Time
Processing times vary. For an indication, use our partner visa processing time guide. This shows processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.
While you wait:
- You can travel if your current visa permits
- Attach any missing documents through ImmiAccount
- Notify the Department of any changes to your circumstances
Subclass 300 Cost
- Main applicant visa application charge
- $9,365.00
- Additional applicant charges
- Additional charges apply
- Health examinations, police certificates, biometrics
- Variable
Note: If you apply for the Partner visa before your Subclass 300 expires, you pay a reduced Partner visa fee.
🎯 High Success Rate
Our clients get their 99% visas approved
⚡ Faster Processing
Complete applications reduce delays
🛡️ MARA Protection
Fully licensed MARA agents
After Prospective Marriage Visa Grant
Your Obligations
- Enter Australia before the first entry date in your grant letter
- Marry your prospective spouse before visa expires (marriage can occur in any country but must be valid under Australian law)
- Apply for Partner visa (820/801) after marriage, before Subclass 300 expires
- Obey all visa conditions and Australian laws
Digital Visa
No visa label in passport. Your visa is linked digitally. Use VEVO to check status and prove your visa to employers and authorities.
Health Insurance
Recommended. You are personally liable for all healthcare costs in Australia. Some countries have reciprocal healthcare agreements.
Newborn children
If you and your partner have a baby after you have been granted this visa, please need to let us know.
Important Notices
Forced Marriage Warning
Forced marriage is a crime in Australia. If you or someone you know is at risk, help is available through the Attorney-General’s Department.
For New Zealand Passport Holders
Tell the immigration officer you hold a Prospective Marriage Visa and do not want a Special Category Visa (Subclass 444). A 444 grant will override your Subclass 300.
Including Family Members
Family members can be included at lodgement, or dependent children added before decision.
Requirements for All Family Members
- Must be members of your family unit
- Must meet health and character requirements
- Must be outside Australia when applying
Dependents Under 18
Provide: identity documents, relationship evidence, health examinations, character documents (if 16-17), Form 1229 parental consent from any guardian not travelling
Dependents 18-23
Must be financially dependent on you. Provide: identity documents, evidence of dependence, Form 47a, health and character documents
Dependents Over 23
Only if unable to work due to physical/cognitive limitations. Medical report required.
Best Interests Test: Visa will not be granted if not in best interests of any child applicant.
If Circumstances Change
If You Marry Before Decision
You become ineligible for Subclass 300. You must:
- Update ImmiAccount (“Change in situation”)
- Attach marriage certificate
- Request Partner visa (subclass 309/subclass 100) consideration
- Withdraw Prospective Marriage Visa application
Failure to withdraw = visa refusal.
If Relationship Ends
Complete Notification of Relationship Cessation in ImmiAccount. Change passwords immediately.
If You Experience Family Violence
You may still be eligible for certain visas. All information is confidential. Contact us for sensitive guidance.
Why Clients Choose The Migration
Partner visas are personal. Your relationship, your family, your future—these are not just documents to us. We understand what is at stake.
We have helped couples navigate straightforward applications and complex situations. Relationships that started overseas. Partners with previous visa refusals. Cases involving children from prior relationships. Applications where things changed mid-process.
Eligibility Review
We confirm you meet requirements before you invest time gathering documents
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa?
The Prospective Marriage Visa Subclass 300 is a temporary visa that allows you to travel to Australia to marry your Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen partner. It is valid for 9 to 15 months. After marrying, you apply for the Partner visa (Subclass 820 and 801) to gain permanent residency.
How long is the Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) valid for?
The visa is valid for 9 to 15 months from the grant date. You must enter Australia before your first entry date, marry your prospective spouse, and apply for the Partner visa before the Prospective Marriage Visa expires.
Can I work in Australia while holding a Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300)?
Yes. You have full work rights. You can work for any employer, in any role, for unlimited hours. You are protected by Australian workplace laws.
Which is better, a Prospective Marriage Visa or a Partner Visa?
They serve different purposes. The Prospective Marriage Visa is for couples who plan to marry but have not yet done so. The Partner Visa is for couples who are already married or in a de facto relationship. If you intend to marry your Australian partner, the Subclass 300 is typically the first step. After marriage, you transition to the Partner visa.
Can I book a consultation with an expert immigration advisor for a Prospective Marriage Visa?
Yes. Our MARA-registered migration agents provide consultations to assess your eligibility, review your evidence, and guide you through every step of your Australian prospective marriage visa application.
What happens if I marry before the Department decides on my visa?
You are no longer eligible for the Subclass 300. You must notify the Department through ImmiAccount, provide your marriage certificate, request consideration for the Partner visa (Subclass 309/100), and formally withdraw your Prospective Marriage Visa application. Failure to withdraw results in visa refusal.
What if I cannot obtain a police certificate from a particular country?
Explain the situation honestly. If a certificate is genuinely unobtainable—due to political circumstances, destroyed records, or country policies—provide a statutory declaration explaining why. Include any alternative evidence available. The Department considers genuine inability to obtain documents.
Can my sponsor withdraw their sponsorship?
Yes. If your sponsor withdraws, notify us immediately. Your application may still be accessible under other provisions depending on your circumstances.
What if the Department asks for more information?
Respond within the specified timeframe. Provide exactly what they request. If you cannot provide something, explain why and offer alternatives. We can help you respond appropriately.
Do I need to be in Australia when the visa is decided?
No. You can be inside or outside Australia when the Department makes their decision. However, you must be outside Australia when you lodge your application.
What Is Prospective Marriage Visa Sponsorship?
Sponsorship is your formal commitment to support your prospective spouse while they hold the Subclass 300 visa. You accept responsibility for their financial obligations, employment compliance, and ensuring they follow visa conditions and Australian laws.
Your sponsorship covers the main visa applicant and any family members granted the visa with them.
Sponsorship Cost: No fee to apply as a sponsor.
Sponsor Eligibility Requirements
- Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen
- Permanent residents and NZ citizens must prove they usually live in Australia
- Must be 18 years or older
The Department may refuse your sponsorship if:
- You have a significant criminal record for relevant offences
- You refuse to provide police clearance
- You do not consent to disclosure of your convictions to the applicant
Convictions that have been quashed, nullified, or pardoned are not included.
Sponsorship limitations apply if you have been convicted of certain offences involving children.
Limitations on Sponsorship
- This is your third time sponsoring someone for a Partner or Prospective Marriage visa
- You sponsored another partner within the last 5 years
You were sponsored as a partner within the last 5 years
- Your previous partner died or left and you have young children
- You have been with the applicant for more than 2 years
- You or the applicant have dependent children
Sponsorship may be refused if your partner was your spouse/de facto before that visa was granted and less than 5 years have passed.
Sponsorship may be refused if you were granted a Subclass 204 visa in the 5 years before your partner applied and you were divorced/separated from them at grant, or they were your partner but you did not disclose them.
Your Obligations as Sponsor
- Debts your prospective spouse or their family members owe the Australian government
- Employment compliance – ensuring they meet all obligations to employers under Australian legislation
- Visa compliance – ensuring they follow visa conditions and obey Australian laws
- Marry your prospective spouse
- Support your partner to apply for the Partner visa (Subclass 820/801)
Your sponsorship starts when the Department grants your prospective spouse the Prospective Marriage Visa.
Your sponsorship ends when that visa ceases.
Important: You cannot withdraw your sponsorship after the visa is granted.
Your Success Depends on Your Partner Eligibility
How to Apply as a Sponsor
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Before applying, verify:
- Your partner is eligible for the visa
- You meet all sponsor requirements
- You can meet your sponsor obligations
2. Gather Documents
Document | Details |
Passport | Current and valid |
Birth certificate | Proof of citizenship |
Facial photo | Passport-style |
Evidence of residing in Australia | Required for permanent residents and NZ citizens only (home ownership/lease, employment, property/business interests, family ties) |
Document | Details |
Australian Federal Police Certificate | Complete disclosure only – state/territory certificates NOT accepted |
Overseas police certificates | From every country where you spent 12+ months in the last 10 years since turning 16 |
Written consent | For disclosure of any convictions to the visa applicant |
- Translate non-English documents (NAATI-accredited translator in Australia, or qualified translator overseas with credentials stated)
- Scan or photograph in colour
- Save multi-page documents as single files
- Certification not required
3. Apply Online
- Log into ImmiAccount (create one if needed)
- Select “New application”
- Select “Family”
- Select “Sponsorship for a Partner to Migrate to Australia”
- Enter the TRN provided by your partner
- Submit your application
- Attach all supporting documents
You can be inside or outside Australia when you apply.
4. After Applying
- Department confirms receipt in ImmiAccount
- Attach any missing documents as soon as possible
- Respond promptly to any information requests
- Notify Department of any changes to your circumstances
If Circumstances Change
Notify the Department If:
- Your contact details change
- Your relationship status changes
- Any other relevant changes occur
Update ImmiAccount and use the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
If Your Relationship Ends
Contact the Department immediately using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
Important: You cannot withdraw sponsorship after the visa is granted. If you withdraw before the visa is decided, notify the Department in writing—removing the application from ImmiAccount does not constitute withdrawal.
Forced Marriage Warning
Forced marriage is a crime in Australia. The Department may refuse the visa if you and your partner are found to be at risk of forced marriage. If you or someone you know is at risk, help is available through the Attorney-General’s Department.
Family Violence
If you are experiencing domestic and family violence, support is available through Family Violence Provisions.
🎯 99% Success Rate
Our clients get their 190 visas approved
⚡ Faster Processing
Complete applications reduce delays
🛡️ MARA Protection
Fully licensed MARA agents
Frequently Asked Questions
I sponsored my ex-partner 3 years ago. Can I sponsor my new partner now?
Generally, you must wait 5 years between sponsorships. Exceptions may apply if your previous partner passed away or if you have children together; The Migration can help you assess if you qualify for a waiver.
I was granted a Partner visa myself 4 years ago. Can I now sponsor someone?
The 5-year limit applies to you as well. If you were sponsored as a partner within the last 5 years, your sponsorship may be refused unless specific, compelling circumstances exist.
I have a criminal record. Will this affect my sponsorship?
It depends on the offense. Sponsorship may be refused for “significant criminal records” involving violence or sexual offenses. We can review your record before you lodge to determine the risk level.
I'm an Australian citizen living overseas. Can I sponsor my partner for a Subclass 820?
Yes, you can sponsor from abroad. However, for the Subclass 300 visa, your partner must remain outside Australia during both the application and the grant process.
What does "accepting responsibility for debts" mean?
You are legally responsible for any debts your partner or their family members owe the Australian government during the sponsorship, including healthcare or social security debts.
Can I withdraw sponsorship after the visa is granted?
No. You can only withdraw your sponsorship before the visa is decided. Once the visa is granted, your legal obligations as a sponsor are locked in for that visa period.
What happens if we don’t marry before the visa expires?
The visa will expire, and your partner must leave Australia or apply for another visa. The Subclass 300 cannot be extended, making it vital to marry and apply for the Partner visa within the timeframe.
Take Your Step Toward Marry Your Love One
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