Australian Prospective Marriage visa (Subclass 300)
The Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage visa is designed for individuals outside Australia who are engaged to an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. It offers couples the opportunity to live together in Australia, formalise their relationship through marriage, and eventually apply for permanent residency.
Do I need a Registered Migration Agent to help?
Because the success of your application is based on a thorough preparation and review of the eligibility criteria, and particularly the evidence of relationship, it is recommended to have your application prepared by a registered migration agent to ensure you will meet Australian immigration requirements and avoid costly disappointment.
What Is the Subclass 300 Visa?
The Subclass 300 is a temporary visa valid for up to 9 months. It allows the visa holder to travel to Australia to marry their sponsor within that time frame. After the marriage, the couple can then apply for a Partner visa (Subclass 820/801), which provides a pathway to permanent residency.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for a Subclass 300 visa, the applicant must:
- Be located outside Australia at both the time of application and the time of visa grant
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be engaged to an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Intend to marry their partner in Australia within the visa period
- Have met in person and be in a genuine, ongoing relationship
- Be sponsored by their Australian partner
- Meet health and character requirements
Why Not Use a Visitor Visa?
Some individuals consider applying for a visitor visa and marrying their partner in Australia. While this may work in limited cases, it can also create complications.
Visitor visa holders are often subject to a “no further stay” condition and may not be eligible to apply for a partner visa onshore.
The Subclass 300 visa is the appropriate and transparent pathway for couples planning to marry and remain in Australia long-term.
After the Wedding: Next Steps
Once married, it’s important to apply for the Subclass 820 Partner visa before the 300 visa expires. This application is made onshore and allows the applicant to remain in Australia while the permanent Subclass 801 Partner visa is processed.
How Australian Shores Can Assist
At Australian Shores, we understand that this visa is not just a legal process, it's a personal one. Our team provides professional and compassionate support to couples during this important transition.
We assist with:
- Preparing a complete and decision-ready Subclass 300 visa application
- Advising on supporting documentation and relationship evidence
- Managing timelines and planning for the 820/801 partner visa process
- Ensuring a smooth, stress-free experience throughout your visa journey
What can a prospective marriage visa holder do?
Once the Subclass 300 visa is granted, the visa holder may:
- Enter Australia and live with their partner
- Full work rights in Australia
- Have the ability to study (without access to government funding)
- Be granted multiple entries into and out of Australia during the visa validity period
- Get married within the 9-month validity period
- Apply for a Subclass 820 Partner visa before the Subclass 300 visa expires
This is a crucial step toward permanent residency. The Subclass 820 visa leads to the Subclass 801 permanent Partner visa once relationship requirements have been met, typically after a 2-year period.
