Everything You Need to Know About the Prospective Marriage Visa Subclass 300 (2026 Guide)
If you’re engaged to an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, you may be able to start your life together in Australia through the prospective marriage visa subclass 300. This visa is often called the “fiancé(e) visa” because it’s designed for couples who plan to marry soon but aren’t married yet.
Unlike Partner visas for married or de facto couples, Subclass 300 is specifically for people who intend to marry their sponsor and then move to the next stage (an onshore Partner visa) after the wedding. It can be a practical option if you want to marry in Australia and begin building your future there.
What Is the Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300)?
The Prospective Marriage visa (Subclass 300) is a temporary visa for applicants who are outside Australia when the visa is decided. It allows you to travel to Australia, marry your sponsor, and then apply for a Partner visa pathway afterward. The visa is generally granted for 9 to 15 months from the date of grant.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible, you’ll typically need to show that:
- Your sponsor is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
- You and your sponsor are both at least 18 years old (in most situations).
- You’ve met in person and are in a genuine relationship, with a real intention to marry (not just for visa purposes).
- You are outside Australia when the visa is granted.
- You meet health and character requirements (medical checks and police certificates are usually required).
How Long Do You Have to Get Married?
This visa is designed to give you time to enter Australia and arrange the wedding. After grant, you’ll typically have a limited window (commonly referenced as around 9 months, but the official grant period may vary by case) to marry and then move to the next visa stage.
What Can You Do on This Visa?
In many cases, the Subclass 300 visa allows you to:
- Travel in and out of Australia while the visa is valid
- Work and study in Australia during the visa period (conditions can apply)
Because visa conditions can differ based on your specific grant, it’s smart to check your VEVO details once you have the visa.
Costs: What Should You Budget For?
Costs can change, so always budget with a buffer. The government application charge is commonly listed as from AUD 9,365 for the main applicant, with extra charges for additional applicants (for example, dependent children) depending on age.
Also plan for “real-world” expenses such as:
- Health examinations
- Police certificates
- Biometrics (if requested)
- Translation and certification of documents
- Migration advice (optional, but many people choose it for complex cases)
Important note: visa fees can change and are based on when the Department receives your application, so it’s wise to re-check before lodging.
Documents You’ll Usually Need
A strong Subclass 300 application is evidence-heavy. While exact requirements vary, most applicants prepare:
1) Identity and civil documents
- Passports, birth certificates, national IDs
- Name change documents (if applicable)
- Evidence of any previous marriages ending (divorce/death certificates)
2) Relationship evidence (the “genuine relationship” proof)
- Photos together across time
- Travel itineraries, entry/exit stamps
- Chat logs, call history, emails (don’t overload—choose clear samples)
- Evidence of shared plans (wedding planning, venue booking, celebrant communication)
- Statements from friends/family (statutory declarations, where appropriate)
3) Intent to marry evidence
- Booking confirmations (venue, celebrant, registry)
- Written plans and timelines
- Proof you are legally free to marry
4) Health + character
- Medical examinations (arranged through approved channels)
- Police certificates for relevant countries
Step-by-Step Application Process
Here’s a simple, practical workflow most applicants follow:
- Confirm eligibility (relationship status, sponsor eligibility, meeting-in-person history).
- Collect documents early (police certificates and translations can take time).
- Prepare relationship evidence logically (timeline format works well).
- Lodge the application through the official system (ImmiAccount is commonly used).
- Respond quickly to any requests for more information.
- If granted, travel to Australia, marry your sponsor, then plan the next visa stage.
What Happens After You Get Married?
After the marriage, many couples apply for the onshore Partner visa pathway (Subclass 820/801).
This is a major step because it’s the common route from “temporary entry to marry” toward longer-term stay options.
Because this next stage has its own requirements, documents, and timelines, it’s best to prepare early—especially your relationship evidence and joint-life documents.
Common Mistakes That Cause Delays (or Refusals)
These issues come up often:
- Weak relationship evidence (not enough proof, or proof that doesn’t match your story)
- Inconsistent timelines (dates in statements don’t align with travel records/messages)
- Missing key documents (especially identity, divorce documents, or police checks)
- Rushing the “intent to marry” evidence (vague plans can look risky)
- Not budgeting for time (some documents and checks take weeks/months)
Final Thoughts
The Prospective Marriage Visa Subclass 300 can be a smart option if you and your partner want to marry in Australia and then move forward with the next stage of partner migration. The key is preparation: clear evidence, consistent timelines, and realistic budgeting. Since rules and charges can change, always verify the latest requirements and fees close to lodgement.
