300 - Prospective Marriage visa
The Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage visa is designed for couples who are not yet married but intend to get married in Australia. It allows the overseas partner to travel to Australia for this purpose and serves as a practical first step before moving on to a partner visa application.
300 Prospective Marriage Visa Overview
The Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage visa is a temporary visa for applicants who plan to marry an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. The application must be supported by an eligible sponsor, being the Australian-based fiancé or fiancée.
This visa allows the applicant to travel to Australia to get married and then continue their visa journey onshore. Once the Subclass 300 visa is granted, it is usually valid for up to nine months. During this period, the couple must marry. The wedding ceremony may take place in any country, but the legal marriage registration must be completed in Australia.
After the marriage has taken place, the applicant may lodge an onshore Partner visa application under the Subclass 820. If the relationship continues and eligibility requirements are met, the applicant may later progress to the permanent stage, the Subclass 801 Partner visa, after the required assessment period.
The Subclass 300 visa provides a lawful and structured pathway for engaged couples to reunite, marry, and move towards long-term residence in Australia.
Eligibility for Applicant
Key eligibility requirements for the Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage visa include that the applicant must be outside Australia at the time of application, and their fiancé or fiancée must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
In addition, the couple must have met in person. Relationships that exist only online, without any face-to-face meeting, are not accepted for this visa pathway.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Purpose of application | The applicant must intend to legally marry their Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen fiancé or fiancée in Australia. |
| Relationship status | The applicant must be in a genuine relationship with a clear intention to marry. The couple must have met in person; relationships maintained only online are not accepted. |
| Age requirement | The applicant is generally required to be at least 18 years old. If the applicant is aged 16 or 17, parental consent is required and the intended marriage must be lawful under Australian law. |
| Place of lodgement | The Subclass 300 visa application must be lodged while the applicant is outside Australia. |
| Current visa status | There is generally no restriction on the type of visa the applicant currently holds. |
| Health and character | The applicant must meet Australia’s health and character standards, which usually involve medical examinations and police checks. |
| Government debts | The applicant must not have any outstanding debts owed to the Australian Government. |
| Relationship types covered | The Subclass 300 visa is currently used for opposite-sex engaged couples. Same-sex couples are usually assessed under other partner visa pathways, such as the Subclass 820/801, based on their relationship circumstances. |
Eligibility for Sponsor
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Sponsor status | The sponsor must meet one of the following status requirements: • Australian citizen; • Australian permanent resident; • Eligible New Zealand citizen. |
| Character suitability | The sponsor must meet Australia’s character expectations applicable to partner sponsorship. |
| Age requirement | The sponsor must be at least 18 years old. |
| Sponsorship limitations | Under Australian migration law, a person will generally not be able to sponsor a partner if any of the following apply: • The sponsor does not hold Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or eligible New Zealand citizenship; • The sponsor has previously sponsored two or more partner visa applicants (including withdrawn sponsorships); • The sponsor has sponsored another partner within the past five years, calculated from the date the previous partner visa was lodged; • The sponsor themselves obtained their visa through a partner pathway within the past five years, calculated from the date that application was lodged. |
Eligibility for Applicant's Dependent Children
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Age requirements | • Dependent children are usually under 18 years of age; • Children aged between 18 and 23 may still be included if they meet dependency requirements, such as being financially reliant on their parent and generally studying full-time; • Children who are unable to work due to a physical or mental disability are not subject to an age limit. |
| Financial dependency | For dependent children aged between 18 and 23, evidence is required to show financial reliance on the main applicant or sponsor. This may include support for living costs, education expenses, or other essential needs. |
| Full-time study | Where a dependent child aged between 18 and 23 is included in the application, proof of enrolment in an eligible full-time course is usually required. |
| Disability considerations | If a dependent child is unable to work or support themselves due to a disability, there is no age restriction and additional financial dependency evidence is generally not required. |
| Health and character | Dependent children must meet the same health and character standards as the main visa applicant. |
| Link to later visas | Dependent children included and approved at the Subclass 300 stage can usually continue to be included in the later partner visa stage, such as the Subclass 820/801, provided the dependency requirements continue to be met. |
Process
300 Visa Application
820 Visa Application
801 Visa Application
Cost
| Applicant type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | AUD 9,365 |
| Additional applicant aged 18 or over | AUD 4,685 per person |
| Additional applicant under 18 | AUD 2,345 per person |
The fee is subject to the latest pricing set by the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
Stay Period
-
9-15 months
Benefits
- Work in Australia: Subclass 300 visa holders are allowed to work while staying in Australia.
- Study options: You may undertake further study or enrol in courses in Australia to build skills or qualifications.
- Family inclusion: Eligible family members, such as dependent children, can be included in the visa application.
- Healthcare access: Visa holders can access Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system, for essential medical services.
- Multiple travel: The visa allows multiple entries, so you can travel in and out of Australia freely during its validity period.
Frequently Asked Questions
If we plan to get married in Australia, why can’t we apply for a Partner visa directly?
Because an intention to marry does not, by itself, create a recognised partner relationship. If you are not yet married and do not meet the de facto criteria, you are not considered partners in a legal sense. Choosing the wrong visa pathway can lead to refusal even where the relationship is genuine.
The Subclass 300 is a temporary visa. Is it easier than a Partner visa?
No. This is a common misunderstanding. At the Subclass 300 stage, the relationship is assessed just as carefully, including its genuineness, stability, and long-term prospects. If a relationship is not strong enough to support a Partner visa, it will often also fail at the 300 stage.
We have already booked a wedding date. Does this help the 300 application?
Not necessarily. Wedding arrangements only show an intention to marry. They do not replace evidence of a genuine and developed relationship. Where the relationship foundation is weak, wedding plans alone rarely carry much weight.
We have only met in person once. Is that a problem?
It can be. There is no fixed minimum number of meetings in the law, but very limited face-to-face contact often raises doubts about the relationship. What matters is the substance of the relationship, not simply whether you have met once.
Can chat records and video calls be used as main evidence?
Only as supporting material. Online communication can show ongoing contact, but it cannot replace shared real-world experiences. Over-reliance on chat logs is a common reason for Subclass 300 refusals.
The sponsor has sponsored a partner before. Is a 300 visa still possible?
Possibly, but the risk is clearly higher. Previous sponsorship history usually leads to closer scrutiny and may involve statutory limits. In these cases, the overall credibility of the relationship becomes even more important.
Will the case officer assess whether we are “ready” to get married?
Indirectly, yes. The decision-maker will look at whether the intention to marry appears reasonable, mature, and consistent with how the relationship has developed. Rushed timelines or vague plans often raise questions about motivation.
If the 300 visa is refused, can we just apply again?
You can, but the refusal record remains. If the core issues are not properly addressed, a new application is likely to face even closer scrutiny, with no guarantee of a different outcome.
Is it risky to apply for a 300 visa without planning the later Partner visa stage?
Yes, very risky. The Subclass 300 and the later Partner visa are closely linked, and early statements and evidence will follow the case forward. Without a clear overall strategy, problems often emerge at the next stage.
Why are some genuine couples still refused a Subclass 300 visa?
Because a genuine relationship is not the same as a legally persuasive case. What matters is the consistency, credibility, and structure of the evidence. Many refusals are not about false relationships, but about weak or poorly presented evidence.
Note: This FAQ is general information only and not legal advice. Settings (e.g., eligibility tests, exemptions, and evidentiary rules) can change; always check the latest legislative instruments before applying.
