Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300): Your Complete Fiancé Visa Guide for 2026

What is the Prospective Marriage Visa?

The Subclass 300 is a temporary visa that allows you to travel to Australia, marry your Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen fiancé, and then apply for a Partner visa (Subclass 820/801) without leaving the country.

Key Features

Who Can Sponsor You?

Your sponsor must be:

• An Australian citizen, OR
• An Australian permanent resident, OR
• An eligible New Zealand citizen

Sponsor Requirements

Important: If your sponsor has previously sponsored a partner or been sponsored themselves, waiting periods may apply. This is to prevent sponsorship being used serially.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a Subclass 300 visa, you must demonstrate:

1. Genuine Intention to Marry

You must prove you and your partner genuinely intend to marry each other. Evidence includes:

• Formal engagement (engagement ring, announcement)
• Wedding plans (venue bookings, invitations, vendor contracts)
• Discussions about the wedding with family and friends
• Cultural or religious engagement ceremonies

2. You Have Met in Person

Unlike some other countries' fiancé visas, Australia requires that you have met in person as adults. This means:

• Video calls alone are not sufficient
• You must have physically met face-to-face
• Evidence: photos together, passport stamps, travel bookings, witness statements

Exception: In very limited circumstances, the requirement to meet in person may be waived on compelling grounds (e.g., severe illness preventing travel). These exemptions are rare.

3. You Know Each Other Personally

You must demonstrate that you know each other well enough to make a genuine commitment to marriage:

• Length of relationship
• Communication history (calls, messages, visits)
• Knowledge of each other's lives, families, and backgrounds
• Shared experiences and memories

4. Meet Health and Character Requirements

• Complete health examinations
• Provide police clearances from all countries lived in 12+ months since age 16

Evidence of Your Relationship

Strong evidence is crucial for a successful application. Include documentation across these categories:

Financial Aspects

Nature of Household

Even when living apart, you can demonstrate:

• Visits to each other's homes
• Staying together during visits
• Plans for living together after marriage

Social Aspects

Commitment to Each Other

The Application Process

Step 1: Gather Documents

Before applying, collect:

Your documents:

• Valid passport
• Birth certificate
• Identity photos
• Police clearances
• Health examination results
• Evidence of previous relationships ending (if applicable)

Sponsor's documents:

• Proof of citizenship/residency
• Identity documents
• Statutory declaration of relationship
• Form 40SP Sponsorship undertaking

Relationship evidence:

• As detailed above
• Statements from two witnesses who know you both

Step 2: Lodge Online

Applications are submitted through ImmiAccount:

1. Create ImmiAccount
2. Select "New Application" → "Family" → "Partner/Prospective Marriage"
3. Complete all questions
4. Upload documents
5. Pay the application fee ($9,365)

Step 3: Wait for Processing

Current processing times are lengthy:

Tip: Use the waiting time to continue building relationship evidence, plan your wedding, and maintain regular contact.

Step 4: Receive Visa and Travel

Once approved:

• You receive a single-entry visa initially
• Travel to Australia within the visa validity period
• After arrival, the visa becomes multiple-entry

Step 5: Marry Within 9 Months

You must marry your sponsor within 9 months of entering Australia. If you don't:

• Your visa will cease
• You cannot apply for the Partner visa
• You must leave Australia

After Marriage: The Partner Visa

Once married, you can apply for the Partner visa (Subclass 820/801):

Partner Visa Pathway

Month 0:       Arrive in Australia on 300 visa
               → Begin wedding preparations

Months 1-9:    Get married (legally in Australia)
               → Register marriage
               → Gather Partner visa evidence

After marriage: Lodge Partner visa 820/801
               → Receive Bridging Visa A
               → 300 visa ceases

Year 1-2:      820 visa granted (temporary)
               → Continue relationship

Year 2+:       801 visa assessed
               → Permanent residency granted

Partner Visa Costs

Note: The Prospective Marriage visa fee does NOT count toward the Partner visa fee. You pay full fees for both.

Comparing 300 vs Direct Partner Visa

Should you apply for Subclass 300 or directly for the Partner visa?

When to Choose Subclass 300

• You cannot marry in your home country (legal restrictions, cultural reasons)
• You want to marry in Australia
• You cannot establish de facto relationship (never lived together)
• Your partner cannot travel to your country to marry
• You're an LGBTQ+ couple from a country where same-sex relationships are criminalized (see our LGBTQ+ Partner Visa Evidence Guide)

When to Choose Partner Visa Directly

• You are already married
• You have evidence of 12+ months de facto relationship
• You want to save on application fees
• You want a potentially faster overall process

Common Challenges

Challenge 1: Long Processing Times

Reality: Processing times of 21-28 months are common. Plan accordingly.

Solution:

• Apply as early as possible
• Consider visitor visas for interim visits
• Maintain strong communication during separation

Challenge 2: Meeting Requirement Issues

Reality: Some couples meet online and haven't met in person.

Solution:

• You must meet in person before applying
• Plan a visit specifically to meet
• Document the meeting thoroughly

Challenge 3: Wedding Planning from Overseas

Reality: Planning an Australian wedding from abroad is challenging.

Solution:

• Hire a wedding planner
• Involve your Australian partner
• Book venues that offer virtual consultations
• Consider a simple registry wedding initially

Challenge 4: Visa Expires Before Marriage

Reality: 9 months passes quickly.

Solution:

• Have wedding plans in place before arrival
• Book the wedding venue early
• Don't wait until the last minute

Legal Marriage in Australia

To legally marry in Australia, you must:

1. Give notice: Submit Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) at least 1 month before
2. Authorised celebrant: Use a registered marriage celebrant
3. Valid ceremony: Follow legal requirements for the ceremony
4. Register: The celebrant registers the marriage

Documents Needed for Marriage

• Passport
• Birth certificate
• Certificate of No Impediment (from your country, if required)
• Any divorce decrees or death certificates from previous marriages

How First Migration Can Help

The Prospective Marriage visa pathway involves complex requirements and long waiting periods. At First Migration Service Centre, our registered migration agents can:

• Assess your eligibility and relationship evidence
• Prepare a compelling application
• Guide you through both the 300 and subsequent Partner visa
• Advise on timeline and wedding planning considerations

Ready to take the next step? We invite you to submit a free visa assessment so we can understand your situation and provide tailored advice.