Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300)
Overview
The Prospective Marriage visa allows individuals to travel to Australia to marry their fiancé. If granted this visa, you must marry your fiancé and apply for a Partner visa (subclasses 820 and 801) before your Prospective Marriage visa expires.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for this visa, you must:
- Intend to marry your fiancé
- Have met and know your prospective spouse
- Meet health and character requirements
- Be at least 18 years old
Purpose
The Prospective Marriage visa allows the fiancé(e) of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to travel to Australia for marriage. The marriage must occur within nine to 15 months of the visa grant date. After the marriage, you can apply for a Partner visa.
Visa Requirements
Relationship
- Both you and your fiancé(e) must be at least 18 years old and not closely related
- You must be free to marry one another
- You must genuinely intend to marry within nine months of the visa grant date (either in Australia or overseas)
- You must have physically met and be personally known to each other
- You must intend to live together as a married couple
Sponsor
- Your sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Your sponsor must not have previously sponsored more than one fiancé, partner, or spouse for migration to Australia or sponsored anyone in the last 5 years (unless there are compelling circumstances)
- Your sponsor must not have been sponsored for a Spouse, Partner, or Prospective Marriage visa by someone else within the last 5 years (unless there are compelling circumstances)
- Your sponsor must provide police checks when requested and consent to disclose any relevant convictions
A conviction for a relevant offence, such as those involving violence or trafficking, may affect your sponsorship approval.
Application Process You must lodge your application with the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) on behalf of yourself and your sponsor. The main criteria are that your relationship and sponsor meet the requirements listed above, and that you pass health and character checks.
The visa is valid for nine to 15 months and allows you to travel to Australia before marriage. You must apply while outside Australia but can be inside or outside Australia when the visa is granted. The marriage must occur within the visa validity period.
Next Steps: Partner Visa
After marrying your fiancé in Australia, you can apply for a Partner visa. This application must be submitted before your Prospective Marriage visa expires. To qualify for a Partner visa:
- You and your spouse must be in a mutually exclusive relationship
- Your relationship must be genuine and ongoing
- You must live together as a couple or live apart only temporarily
If you meet the criteria, you will receive a temporary Partner visa valid for approximately two years. After this period, you can apply for a permanent Partner visa if your relationship continues to meet the requirements.
Processing Time
- 25% of applications processed in 6 months
- 90% of applications processed in 35 months
Visa Duration
- The visa lasts between 9 and 15 months from the grant date and cannot be extended.
Costs
- Main applicant: $9,095
- Any child over 18: $4,550
- Each child under 18: $2,280
What You Can Do
- Travel to and stay in Australia for up to nine months
- Work and study in Australia at your own expense
- Travel in and out of Australia as many times as you wish
Additional Costs
- Health checks, police certificates, and biometrics
- Partner visa (subclasses 820 and 801) application fee
Family You can include dependent children or stepchildren in your application, and they will have the same rights and visa conditions as you.
Your Obligations You must marry your fiancé and apply for a Partner visa before the Prospective Marriage visa expires. You and your children must comply with Australian laws and visa conditions.
Sponsors Sponsors must be the fiancé of the visa applicant.
Changes to Sponsorship Recent changes require sponsorship to be lodged and approved before Partner visas can be applied for. This could impact onshore Partner visa applicants. It’s recommended to consult about how these changes may affect you.
Travel During COVID-19 If you are in Australia and wish to stay due to COVID-19, you can remain on the Prospective Marriage visa. For a longer stay, apply for a new visa before your current one expires, or consider a bridging visa.
If overseas, you must comply with travel restrictions and may need to apply for a new visa if your current one expires before you can travel.
Travel Restriction Exemption If you have a compassionate or compelling reason to travel to Australia, apply for an exemption online. Do not travel until you have confirmation of your exemption.