Prospective Marriage Visa Subclass 300: Requirements, Marriage Deadline and Partner Visa Pathway
The Prospective Marriage Visa Subclass 300 is for people who are engaged to an Australian partner and want to travel to Australia to marry. Home Affairs describes it as a visa that lets you come to Australia to marry your prospective spouse and then apply for permanent residency. It is sometimes called the fiancé visa, and it is a temporary visa with a strict time limit for the wedding.
Many couples apply for the subclass 300 without being sure it is the right visa. If you are already married, or if you can show twelve months of living together, the offshore partner visa may be a better choice. If you want to marry in Australia and you are not yet married, the subclass 300 is designed for that situation. This page explains who it suits, what the Department expects, what the sponsor has to meet, how the marriage deadline works, what the visa costs and what happens after the wedding.
It is written for Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens who want to bring a fiancé or fiancée to Australia, and for applicants in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Europe and Australia. If you would like your situation reviewed by a person, Migration Factor offers a free consultation. You can request a free consultation through our contact form. Nothing on this page guarantees a visa outcome or a timeframe, and fees, processing times and rules change, so please treat this as a planning guide.
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What the Subclass 300 Visa Is
The subclass 300 is a temporary visa that allows the holder to enter Australia, marry the sponsoring partner and then apply for the onshore partner visa, the subclass 820 and 801, while remaining in Australia. It is usually granted for nine months, although some practitioner sources report that the period can be longer in some cases. The grant letter shows the exact validity dates, and those dates are the ones that count.
The visa is a stepping stone. It does not give permanent residence on its own. Holders must marry the person named in the application within the visa period and then lodge a partner visa application, with their relationship evidence continuing to build from the date of the marriage.
The subclass 300 is for couples who have not yet married. It is not a visitor visa and not a way to test a relationship. The Department needs to be satisfied that the couple genuinely intend to marry and to live together as spouses.
Who the Visa Is For
The subclass 300 suits couples who:
- Are engaged, or have a genuine plan to marry, and want the wedding to take place in Australia or soon after arrival
- Have met in person and know each other personally, not only online
- Cannot yet marry before applying, or prefer to marry in Australia for family or personal reasons
- Have an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen as the sponsor
- Understand that the wedding has to take place within the visa period and that a partner visa application follows
Applicants from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka often ask whether arranged or family introduced marriages can qualify. The Department assesses all applicants against the same criteria. What matters is that both parties genuinely intend to marry, that they have met in person, that they know each other personally and that the evidence supports the relationship. Cultural background does not change the criteria, but the evidence should explain how the couple met and how the relationship developed.
Eligibility Requirements at a Glance
The main requirements reported for the subclass 300 are:
- The applicant is at least 18 years old and is outside Australia when they apply, and generally when the visa is granted
- The applicant is engaged to, or intends to marry, an eligible sponsor who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
- The couple have met in person and know each other personally, as adults
- Both parties genuinely intend to marry each other and live together as spouses
- The marriage will take place within the visa period
- The sponsor meets the Department's sponsorship criteria and gives the required undertakings
- The applicant meets health and character requirements, and holds a valid passport
- The applicant has not breached the rules on previous sponsorships that would stop the application
Check the current requirements on the Home Affairs website before you lodge, because details can change.
The Sponsor and Sponsorship Limits
The sponsor must be at least 18 years old and an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. The sponsor also gives undertakings to provide accommodation and reasonable financial support for a period after the applicant arrives, according to the Department's rules. Practitioner sources report a period of two years, with the details differing depending on whether the applicant applies from outside Australia or inside, so confirm the current terms.
There are limits on how often a person can sponsor a partner. Practitioner sources report that a sponsor can generally sponsor two partners in a lifetime, that there needs to be a gap of five years between partner visa applications, and that a sponsor who was themselves sponsored as a partner may have to wait five years from the date they applied before sponsoring someone else. The Minister can waive these limits in compelling circumstances, such as the death of a previous partner or dependent children from the current relationship, but waivers are not routine.
The sponsor may also be asked for police checks. Some convictions, particularly family violence offences, can prevent a person from being an eligible sponsor regardless of whether the relationship is genuine. If there is anything in the sponsor's history that might affect eligibility, take advice before lodging.
The Marriage Deadline
The marriage deadline is the most important feature of the visa. The applicant must marry the sponsor within the validity period of the visa. If the couple do not marry in time, the visa ends and the applicant has to leave Australia or hold another visa.
Some practical points follow.
- The visa is generally valid for nine months from the date of grant, but the grant letter sets the exact dates
- The applicant must usually enter Australia before the marriage, and practitioner sources report that the visa carries a condition against marrying before entering Australia
- The marriage can take place in Australia, and most couples marry here, but check whether a ceremony outside Australia within the period would also satisfy the requirements
- If you are marrying in Australia, you will need to lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage with your celebrant, and the notice must be lodged within the time limits set by law before the ceremony. The notice is not required for the visa application itself, but it supports the evidence of intention
- Plan the wedding date, venue and celebrant early, because delays can put the deadline at risk
If the wedding is delayed because of illness, family circumstances or other events, seek advice early. Options become much narrower once the visa has expired.
Evidence of the Relationship
The Department needs to be satisfied that the relationship is genuine, that the couple have met in person and that they intend to marry. Evidence is assessed as a whole, and the strongest applications present a consistent story supported by documents.
Typical evidence includes:
- Having met in person. Passport stamps, travel records, photographs together, accommodation bookings, boarding passes and consistent accounts of when and where you met
- Genuine intention to marry. A letter from the celebrant, a venue booking, wedding invitations or arrangements, and plans for living and working after the wedding
- Relationship history. Communication records, visits, shared plans and a timeline of the relationship
- Statements from family and friends. Declarations from people who know the couple and the plans to marry
- Financial and household aspects. Evidence of how the couple plan to support themselves and where they will live
- Consistency between both parties. Their accounts should match each other and the documents
Case officers sometimes ask for evidence that there is no legal impediment to marriage, such as proof that each party is single. If either party has been married or in a long term relationship before, include documents that show how that relationship ended, such as a divorce certificate or death certificate.
Quality matters more than quantity. A small number of well organised documents that tell a consistent story is more persuasive than hundreds of screenshots without explanation.
Health and Character Requirements
The applicant must meet health and character requirements, and so must any family members included in the application. Health examinations are requested when needed, and police certificates are required from countries where the applicant has lived for a certain period. The applicant also needs a valid passport.
A significant health condition can affect the visa, and a health waiver may be possible in some cases. Character concerns, such as criminal convictions or a poor immigration history, can lead to refusal. If you have concerns about either, take advice early, because they are easier to address before lodging.
Documents Checklist
A solid starting checklist for the subclass 300 includes:
- The applicant's passport and identity documents
- The sponsor's passport or citizenship evidence, and evidence of permanent residence or eligible New Zealand status where relevant
- Evidence that you have met in person, such as travel records and photographs
- Evidence of the relationship, such as communications, visits and a relationship timeline
- Evidence of the intention to marry, such as celebrant letters and venue bookings
- Statements from family and friends
- Evidence of any previous marriages or relationships ending, if relevant
- The sponsor's undertakings and any police certificates the Department asks for
- Police certificates and health examination results for the applicant when requested
- Certified English translations of any document that is not in English
Names, dates and facts must match across documents and statements. A mismatch about when you met or how the relationship developed can raise doubts that are hard to resolve later.
How to Apply Step by Step
The usual sequence for the subclass 300 is below.
Confirm that you cannot, or prefer not to, marry before applying, and compare the subclass 300 with the offshore partner visa.
Confirm that the sponsor is eligible and not caught by any sponsorship limit.
Gather evidence of having met in person, the relationship and the intention to marry.
Check the current application charge using the Department's Visa Pricing Estimator.
Lodge the application through ImmiAccount, with the applicant outside Australia.
Provide health examinations, police certificates and any other documents when the Department asks.
Wait for the decision, and avoid making non refundable plans before the grant.
After the grant, enter Australia and marry within the validity period.
Lodge the onshore partner visa application while the subclass 300 is still valid.
Continue building relationship evidence from the date of the marriage.
Visa Costs and Related Expenses
The visa application charge changed on 1 July 2026. Practitioner sources report that the base charge for the subclass 300 for many main applicants is now about AUD 11,710, up from AUD 9,365, which is the same as the reported charge for the offshore partner visa. Additional applicants are reported at about AUD 5,860 for those aged 18 and over and about AUD 2,935 for children. A lower charge may apply to eligible applicants from some Pacific region countries. These figures come from migration practitioners, so please confirm the exact charge in the Visa Pricing Estimator before you pay.
When you later apply for the onshore partner visa after marrying, a further charge applies. One practitioner reports about AUD 1,955 if you hold the subclass 300 when you lodge and marry the person named in the application, and a higher amount of about AUD 2,475 if the subclass 300 has expired. Treat these figures as indications and confirm them, but the principle is clear: lodging the partner application while the subclass 300 is still valid can save money.
The visa charge is only part of the cost. Budget also for:
- The wedding itself, including the celebrant and venue
- Health examinations and police certificates
- Certified translations and document copies
- Travel to Australia
- Living costs while the partner visa is being processed
- Professional assistance, if you choose to use it
Charges are not refunded if the application is refused or withdrawn.
Processing Time Guidance
Processing time depends on the case and the Department's workload. Home Affairs publishes a processing times tool that reflects recently decided applications, and it is the right place to check the current position. Practitioner sources quoting data from September 2026 report that half of subclass 300 applications were decided within about fourteen months and nine in ten within about twenty six months, while other sources say most are finished within around twenty two months or about two years. These are indications only, and they change every month.
A few practical points follow.
- A complete application with clear evidence is easier to assess than one that needs follow up
- Do not book a wedding date before the visa is granted unless you can change it without losing money
- Remember that the subclass 300 is only the first stage, and the partner visa adds more processing time afterwards
- Agents cannot make the Department decide faster
Marrying Before the Decision
Some couples find that they marry before the subclass 300 is decided. If this happens, practitioner sources report that you can inform the Department in writing, with your marriage certificate, that you want the application to be considered as an offshore partner visa application instead, and in that case no second application charge is required. The rules for this are specific, so take advice before you act, and check the current provisions with the Department.
Subclass 300 Compared With the Offshore Partner Visa
Couples often compare the subclass 300 with the offshore partner visa, subclass 309 and 100. The main difference is whether you can marry, or show twelve months of a genuine de facto relationship, before you apply.
- Subclass 300. For engaged couples who are not yet married. The applicant arrives in Australia, marries and then applies for the onshore partner visa. There are two stages and two applications.
- Subclass 309 and 100. For couples who are married, or who have a genuine de facto relationship of at least twelve months, with some exceptions. The couple apply from outside Australia and the permanent visa follows without a second application.
The subclass 300 can bring the applicant to Australia sooner, while the partner route can mean fewer applications and no marriage deadline. A consultation can help you compare the options for your situation before you pay a charge.
After the Marriage: The Partner Visa
After the wedding, the applicant can apply for the onshore partner visa, the subclass 820 for the temporary stage and the subclass 801 for the permanent stage. The application must be lodged while the subclass 300 is still valid, and the relationship evidence builds on the evidence from the earlier application.
Plan for this stage from the beginning. Keep marriage certificates, evidence of living together, joint finances, shared commitments and records of social recognition of the relationship. The Department assesses the genuineness of the relationship again at the partner visa stage, so a strong record of the marriage helps.
Common Reasons Applications Are Refused
Problems with subclass 300 applications come from a limited number of causes.
- The couple have not met in person, or the Department doubts that they know each other personally
- The Department is not satisfied that both parties genuinely intend to marry
- Evidence of the relationship or the intention to marry is thin, inconsistent or unexplained
- The sponsor does not meet the eligibility criteria or is caught by a sponsorship limit
- The sponsor has character issues, such as relevant convictions
- Health or character concerns for the applicant that are not resolved
- The marriage intention is presented outside the visa period or the timeline is unrealistic
- Incomplete or inconsistent documents, including mismatched names, dates and accounts
- False or misleading information, which can have serious long term consequences
Many of these can be addressed before you lodge. Merits review of a refusal may be available in some cases, typically through the sponsor, and the deadline is stated on the decision letter, so read the decision carefully and seek advice quickly.
Considerations for Applicants From South Asia and Europe
Applicants from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka commonly ask about documenting how the couple met when families were involved, and how to show genuine consent and personal knowledge in an introduced or arranged marriage. A clear account of the introduction, the time the couple have spent together and the conversations they have had is more useful than a general statement. Evidence of in person meetings, such as travel records and photographs, is especially important.
Applicants should also prepare identity documents, civil status documents and certified translations where required, and obtain police certificates from home countries, which can take time. European applicants face the same criteria, although the documents differ. For couples where one partner lives in Australia, the Australian partner should be prepared to provide their own evidence and undertakings.
The requirements do not differ by nationality. What matters is that the relationship is genuine, the couple have met in person, the sponsor is eligible and the evidence is consistent.
How Professional Help Can Assist
A migration professional cannot change the rules, guarantee a visa or make the Department decide faster. What a good adviser can do is help you decide between the subclass 300 and the partner visa, check that the sponsor is eligible, organise the relationship evidence so that it tells a clear and consistent story, plan the timing of the wedding and the partner visa application, and advise on what to do if circumstances change.
This review is most useful before you lodge, because the charge is not refunded and the marriage deadline leaves little room for mistakes. Make sure anyone you pay for immigration advice in Australia is appropriately authorised, and ask to see their registration details.
Why Consider Migration Factor
Migration Factor provides information and assistance on Australian visa pathways, including partner and family visas. We offer a free consultation where you can talk through your relationship, your plans and your options before deciding on your next step. To arrange one, request a free consultation through our contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Prospective Marriage Visa Subclass 300?
It is a temporary visa for people who are engaged to an Australian partner and want to travel to Australia to marry. After the wedding, the holder applies for the onshore partner visa.
What are the subclass 300 visa requirements?
You must be outside Australia, have met your partner in person, genuinely intend to marry, have an eligible sponsor, meet health and character requirements and plan to marry within the visa period.
Who can sponsor a prospective marriage visa?
An Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who is at least 18 and meets the Department's criteria, including limits on how often a person can sponsor a partner.
What is the marriage deadline for the subclass 300 visa?
You must marry the sponsor within the validity period shown in the grant letter, which is generally nine months. If you do not marry in time, the visa ends.
How much does the subclass 300 visa cost?
Practitioner sources report about AUD 11,710 for the main applicant from 1 July 2026, up from AUD 9,365. Confirm the exact charge in the Visa Pricing Estimator. A further charge applies for the partner visa after marriage, and charges are not refunded after refusal.
How long does the prospective marriage visa take to process?
There is no fixed time. Practitioners quoting September 2026 data report about fourteen months for half of applications and about twenty six months for most. Check the Department's processing times tool for the current position.
Do we need to have met in person?
Yes. The Department expects the couple to have met in person and to know each other personally. An online only relationship does not meet the requirement.
What evidence do I need to show the relationship is genuine?
Evidence that you met in person, such as travel records and photographs, communication records, plans to marry such as a celebrant letter and venue booking, and statements from family and friends.
Can I marry before the visa is granted?
If you marry before the decision, you can ask the Department in writing to consider your application as a partner visa application, with your marriage certificate. Take advice first, because the rules are specific.
What happens after I marry on the subclass 300 visa?
You lodge the onshore partner visa application, the subclass 820 and 801, while the subclass 300 is still valid. A further charge applies, and lodging while the visa is valid can reduce the amount.
Can Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan citizens apply?
Yes. The same criteria apply to all nationalities. What matters is that the couple have met in person, the relationship and intention to marry are genuine, the sponsor is eligible and the evidence is consistent.
Is the subclass 300 or the partner visa better?
It depends. If you can marry or show twelve months of a genuine de facto relationship before applying, the offshore partner visa may be simpler. If you cannot, or you want to marry in Australia, the subclass 300 is designed for that situation.
Why do prospective marriage visa applications fail?
Common causes include not having met in person, doubts about genuine intention to marry, thin or inconsistent evidence, an ineligible sponsor, health or character concerns and false information.
Next Step
If you are deciding between the subclass 300 and the partner visa, organising your relationship evidence or planning your wedding around the visa deadline, request a free consultation with Migration Factor through our contact form. Please bring your passport details, a timeline of your relationship and any travel records or wedding arrangements, so the conversation can be specific.
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