Prospective Marriage Visa Australia – Your Step-by-Step Guide

The Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) is a temporary visa that allows you to travel to Australia to marry your fiancé(e), who must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.

Once granted, you’ll have 9 months to get married in Australia. During this time, you can live, work, and study in the country.

Unlike onshore and offshore partner visas—which require substantial proof of a long-term, committed relationship—the Prospective Marriage Visa has a lower evidentiary burden. To qualify, you must:

• Be genuinely engaged and intend to marry before your visa period ends.

• Have met your prospective spouse in person at least once as adults.

• Be at least 18 years old at the time of application.

• Have a sponsor who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.

This makes it ideal for couples who haven’t yet built up extensive relationship evidence, such as joint finances or cohabitation history.

Step 1 – Lodge Your Application

You must apply for the Prospective Marriage Visa outside Australia via the Department of Home Affairs website. Processing times can range from 12 to 24 months, depending on your application’s completeness and your country of application.

Step 2 – Arrive and Marry in Australia

Once your visa is granted, you can travel to Australia. You must marry your partner within 9 months of arrival. During this time, you can work and study freely.

Step 3 – Transition to the Partner Visa

After marrying, you can apply for the Onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801)—your pathway to permanent residency.

• While waiting for the 820 visa to be processed, you’ll receive a Bridging Visa A, which lets you stay and work legally.

• The Subclass 820 processing time is typically 24–30 months.

• After two years on the 820 visa, you can apply for the Subclass 801 permanent partner visa.

Once your Subclass 801 visa is granted, you’ll become an Australian permanent resident.

The Prospective Marriage Visa Australia is perfect for couples who:

• Live in different countries but have met in person.

• Want to marry in Australia without proving years of cohabitation.

• Are looking for a clear pathway from engagement to permanent residency.

It also gives you the flexibility to work and settle into Australian life before transitioning to permanent residency.

While the process may seem straightforward, small mistakes or missing documents can cause delays. Many couples choose to work with a Registered Migration Agent to ensure everything is correct the first time.

For more details on other partner visa options, you can read about the Onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801) and Offshore Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100) pathways.