Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300)

What is the Prospective Marriage visa?

The Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) is a temporary visa for a person outside Australia who plans to marry an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. It is often called the fiancé(e) visa. You come to Australia, marry your sponsor within the visa period, and then apply for the onshore Partner visa (subclass 820 and 801).

At a glance (figures current as at 29 October 2026)

Who can apply

The Migration Regulations set these criteria for the main applicant (Sch 2 Part 300, Migration Regulations 1994, compilation No. 289, 2 October 2026):

• You intend to marry an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen (cl 300.211).
• You are 18 or older (cl 300.212A), and so is your prospective spouse (cl 300.213(2)).
• Your prospective spouse sponsors you, and the sponsorship must be approved and still in force at decision (cl 300.213(1), 300.222(1)). The sponsor must also consent to the Department telling you about any conviction for a relevant offence (cl 300.222(2)).
• You have met in person since you both turned 18, and you know each other personally (cl 300.214).
• You genuinely intend to marry, within the visa period (cl 300.215).
• You genuinely intend to live together as spouses (cl 300.216).
• There is no legal impediment to the marriage under Australian law (cl 300.221A).
• Health, character and other public interest criteria are met by you and your family members (cl 300.223, 300.226).

The intention to marry, the in-person meeting and the genuine-intention criteria must still be met when the decision is made, not just when you apply (cl 300.221). The Department's own summary says you must have met "face to face as adults".

300 compared with the 309/100 and the onshore 820/801

If you are already married or in a de facto relationship, the 300 is not the visa for you.

After the visa is granted: marry, then apply for the Partner visa

1. Enter Australia before the first entry date in your grant letter (cl 300.611). Do not marry before you enter Australia (condition 8515).
2. Marry your sponsor within the visa period (condition 8519). Family members on the visa hold condition 8520, which ties their visa to the main applicant's marriage.
3. Apply for the 820/801 Partner visa after the marriage. The Regulations have specific pathways for 300 holders who have married their sponsor (Sch 2 cl 820.211(5)–(6)). The Department advises applying after your marriage and before your 300 visa ends, and states that you will pay less for the Partner visa if you apply before your Prospective Marriage visa ends.

The Partner visa charge and full cost picture are on our itemised partner visa cost guide.

Cost and processing time

Visa application charge. The Department lists the 300 visa from AUD11,710 (read 29 October 2026). Extra charges apply for each family member who applies with you, and from 1 July 2026 a lower charge applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens. Use the Department's Visa Pricing Estimator for your total. You may also pay for health checks, police certificates and biometrics. Government charges for all visas are on our fees page.

Processing time. Check the Department's global visa processing-times tool on the day you plan to lodge. The Department warns that 300 applicants may experience longer processing times than expected. Applications are processed in the order set by Ministerial Direction No. 117.

Common problems

Each point comes from the wording of the criteria and conditions.

1. Marrying before you travel. Condition 8515 says you must not marry or enter a de facto relationship before entering Australia.
2. The wedding does not happen in time. Condition 8519 requires the marriage within the visa period. The visa period is 9 to 15 months from grant (cl 300.511), so set your wedding date with the grant date in mind.
3. Not having met in person as adults. Clause 300.214 requires an in-person meeting after you both turned 18.
4. Weak evidence of intent. You must show you genuinely intend to marry within the visa period and to live together as spouses (cl 300.215–300.216). A clear relationship statement helps.
5. Sponsor problems. The sponsorship must be approved and still in force at decision (cl 300.222). Some past sponsorships and convictions limit approval (regs 1.20J, 1.20KA–1.20KC).
6. Applying from inside Australia. The application must be made outside Australia (Sch 1 item 1215(3)(b)).

How we help

We check your relationship history and evidence against each 300 criterion, plan the timing of your entry, wedding and Partner visa application, and prepare the sponsor's part. You get an honest view of whether the 300, the 309/100 or another option fits your situation.

Book a partner visa assessment

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for the 300 visa while I am in Australia?

No. You must be outside Australia when you apply, and so must any family member who applies with you (Migration Regulations, Sch 1 item 1215(3)(b)). The visa can be granted while you are in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance (cl 300.412).

How long can I stay on a Prospective Marriage visa?

The visa lasts until a date the Department sets, which must be at least 9 months and not more than 15 months from grant. If no date is set, it is 9 months from grant (cl 300.511).

Can I work on a 300 visa?

Yes. The Department states that you can work and study in Australia while you hold this visa.

What happens if we do not marry within the visa period?

Condition 8519 requires you to marry within the visa period. Not marrying in time means you have not met a condition of your visa, which can have serious consequences. Get advice before your visa period ends.

Do we need to have met in person?

Yes. You and your sponsor must have met in person since you both turned 18, and you must know each other personally (cl 300.214).

Can my children come with me?

Members of your family unit can apply with you if they meet the secondary criteria, including health and character checks, and the sponsorship covers them (cl 300.311–300.326).

Figures current as at 29 October 2026; confirm with the Department of Home Affairs before lodgement.

Reviewed by Dr Asad Muhammad Khan, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 2619525. Last reviewed: 29 October 2026. Criteria checked against Migration Regulations 1994, Sch 1 item 1215, Sch 2 Parts 300 and 820 and Sch 8 conditions 8515, 8519 and 8520 (compilation No. 289, 2 October 2026). Charge checked on the Department of Home Affairs website on 29 October 2026. This page is general information, not migration advice for your circumstances.