Need help? We are available 7 days!
Call us: 1300 935 635
← Back to Services

Prospective Marriage Visa Lawyers Australia (Subclass 300)

If your partner is outside Australia and you are engaged to be married, the Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa is the pathway that brings them here to marry you. We are here to make sure your application is built on clear evidence and sound legal preparation from the outset.
Book a Free Consultation
T's & C's apply

Why Choose Us?

No Hidden Fees
Australia Wide Services
Personalised and Strategic Advice
Ongoing Support

What Is the Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300)?

The Prospective Marriage Visa is a temporary visa for the fiancé of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. It allows the applicant to travel to Australia, marry their sponsor, and then apply for an onshore partner visa as the next step toward permanent residency. It is a single-stage visa and does not itself grant permanent residency.

Best suited for
Engaged couples where the applicant is outside Australia and intends to marry their Australian sponsor in Australia
Who can sponsor
Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens
Relationship types
Engaged couples, including same-sex couples, who have met in person as adults
Key benefit
The right to enter Australia, marry, and then transition to the onshore partner visa pathway without leaving

Subclass 300 — How It Works Once granted, the visa allows the applicant to enter Australia and remain for 9 to 15 months, as specified at the time of grant. The applicant must marry their sponsor within 9 months of entering Australia. After marriage, the applicant can apply for the onshore partner visa (Subclass 820/801) to continue the pathway to permanent residency.

Is This the Right Visa Pathway for You?

We can help you if:

Eligibility

Your eligibility for the Prospective Marriage Visa depends on your relationship, your sponsor's status, and whether both of you meet the face-to-face requirement. Here is what to check first.

Be outside Australia at lodgement
The applicant must be physically outside Australia when the application is submitted
Be engaged to the sponsor
Both parties must genuinely intend to marry within 9 months of the applicant entering Australia
Have met in person as adults
Both the applicant and sponsor must have met face-to-face since both turned 18. Online-only relationships do not meet this requirement
Be at least 18 years of age
No exceptions apply
Meet health requirements
A medical examination with a Department-approved panel physician is required
Meet character requirements
Police clearances are required from each country lived in for 12 months or more since age 16
Important: Sponsorship History

Your sponsor history is assessed carefully and can affect eligibility. If your sponsor has previously sponsored a partner or fiancé for migration to Australia, or has themselves been sponsored for a partner or Prospective Marriage Visa within the previous five years, restrictions may apply. We assess your sponsor's history as part of the initial eligibility advice regardless of where in Australia your sponsor is based.

What the Department of Home Affairs Assesses

Every Subclass 300 application is assessed against two things: the genuineness of your relationship and intention to marry, and whether you meet the mandatory health and character requirements. Both must be in order before lodgement.

Proving Your Relationship and Intention to Marry

The Subclass 300 differs from other partner visa subclasses as the evidentiary requirements and 12-month de facto cohabitation requirement do not apply. The focus is on genuine intention to marry and a genuine, continuing relationship. Our registered migration agents build your evidence file to reflect what the Department looks for at assessment.

Met in person
This may include photographs together, travel records, statements from friends and family, and joint bookings.
Know each other personally
This may include records of communication that demonstrate the development of your relationship over time.
Intention to marry
Evidence may include a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM), a letter from your authorised marriage celebrant, and wedding enquiries or plans.
Intention to live together as spouses
Evidence may include financial, household, social and commitment evidence demonstrating your ongoing relationship, as well as plans for growing your connection to a spousal level upon arrival in Australia.

The strength of your application depends on how well each area is covered. Plans do not need to be finalised at lodgement, but they must be credible and supported by documentation. The sponsor must also submit a separate sponsorship application at the same time. We advise on exactly what is required for your specific circumstances at the initial consultation.

Identity, Health, and Character Documents

Passports
Current and expired where relevant
Evidence of in-person meetings
Required to demonstrate the face-to-face requirement has been met
Divorce or death certificates
Required where applicable
Evidence of Australian status (sponsor)
Required for all sponsor applications
Health examination results
Completed through a Department-approved panel physician in the applicant's country of residence
Police clearances
Required from each relevant country of residence
Biometrics
May be required depending on nationality and country of residence

Requirements vary depending on your specific circumstances. We confirm exactly what is needed at the initial consultation.

Our Prospective Marriage Visa Services

We provide end-to-end legal support for Subclass 300 applications across Australia. From your first eligibility assessment to your transition onto the onshore partner visa, here is what working with us looks like.

Eligibility and pathway assessment

We assess whether the Subclass 300 is the right pathway for your circumstances or whether a direct partner visa application is more suitable given your relationship history.

Relationship and intention-to-marry evidence planning

We identify what the Department of Home Affairs needs to see across both your relationship evidence and your intention to marry, and build a preparation plan specific to your situation.

Document review and lodgement

We check every document before submission and manage lodgement through ImmiAccount on your behalf.

Legal submissions

We prepare the written submissions that accompany your application, addressing any risk factors in your relationship or sponsor history directly.

Sponsor application guidance

We advise on the sponsorship requirements and ensure the sponsor's submission supports the overall application.

Responses to Department of Home Affairs requests

If the Department issues a request for further information, we prepare a thorough and timely response.

Transition planning to the onshore partner visa

After your marriage, we advise on the timing and preparation of your Subclass 820/801 application so the transition from the Prospective Marriage Visa stage is well managed.

What Our Clients Say

Internal note: the testimonials below are example quotes only. Replace with verified client testimonials (first name, last initial, suburb, state) with written consent obtained before this page is published live.

"We had already tried to put our application together ourselves and quickly realised how much we were missing. Partner Visa Lawyers reviewed everything, identified the gaps in our evidence, and lodged a complete application within weeks. We felt in control of the process for the first time."

Sarah T., Parramatta NSW

"My situation was complicated. I had a previous visa refusal and my partner and I had spent long periods apart due to work. They understood the risks upfront, built submissions that addressed them directly, and kept us informed at every stage."

Marcus L., Fortitude Valley QLD

"The advice was specific, practical, and honest. We knew exactly what the Department would be looking for and what we needed to provide. No surprises. Just clear legal guidance from people who know partner visas inside out."

Priya and James K., South Yarra VIC

What to Expect When You Work With Us

One of the most common concerns couples have is not knowing what comes next. This is what the process looks like when you work with us, from start to finish.

Initial consultation

We assess your eligibility, your sponsor's history, and whether the Subclass 300 is the right pathway for your circumstances. You leave with a clear picture of what your application needs and where the risks are.

Evidence preparation and application build

We work through your relationship evidence and intention-to-marry documentation with you, prepare legal submissions, and review every document before lodgement. The Department expects decision-ready applications. We prepare them that way.

Lodgement and entry planning

We lodge your Subclass 300 application through ImmiAccount. Once granted, your partner can enter Australia and you generally have 9 months from entry to marry. We advise on entry timing and visa conditions.

Transition to the partner visa

After your marriage, we advise on the timing and preparation of your Subclass 820/801 application. The transition between the two visas requires careful planning and we support you through it.

Book a Free Consultation

Meet Your Prospective Marriage Visa Lawyers

Kate Colston – General Manager
Internal note: profile photo is located in the shared OneDrive (Stock Library / Profile Photos / Kate Colston). Additional lawyer bio detail to be confirmed and inserted before publication.

Prospective Marriage Visa Application Costs

Knowing the full cost upfront lets you plan properly and move forward with confidence. Below is a breakdown of the Department's current government application charges.

Primary applicant
AUD $11,710
Secondary applicant aged 18 or over
AUD $5,860
Secondary applicant under 18
AUD $2,935

In addition to the government application charge, most applicants will incur other costs as part of the process, including health examinations, police clearance certificates, and document translation where applicable. These vary depending on your individual circumstances and country of origin. Contact us for a full cost overview tailored to your situation.

Please note: Government visa application charges are reviewed and typically adjusted by the Department of Home Affairs each July. The figures in this table reflect the 2026–27 financial year. If you are reading this page after 1 July 2027, some charges may have changed. We recommend confirming current fees at the Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator or contacting us directly before you budget for your application.

Prospective Marriage Visa Processing Timeframes

The Subclass 300 is a single-stage visa. Understanding the processing timeline helps you plan your entry to Australia and your marriage timeline realistically.

Subclass 300 — Processing Stage

50% of applications decided within
Approximately 13 to 14 months
90% of applications decided within
Approximately 24 to 26 months
Complex or incomplete applications
May exceed 26 months

After Grant — Key Timelines

Visa validity period
9 to 15 months from the date of grant, as specified at grant
Time to marry after entry
You must marry your sponsor typically within 9 months of entering Australia
Transition to partner visa
Lodge the Subclass 820/801 after marriage, ideally before the Subclass 300 expires, to access the reduced partner visa fee

Speak with us for an assessment of timeframes based on your specific situation.

Please note: Processing times are published by the Department of Home Affairs as percentile estimates and are updated monthly. The figures above reflect data available in early 2026. Actual processing times vary depending on the complexity of the application, the completeness of evidence provided at lodgement, and application volumes at the time of decision. These figures are a guide only and are not a guarantee of when your application will be decided.

Common Questions

Does the Subclass 300 fee reduce the cost of the subsequent partner visa?

Yes, in part. If you lodge your Subclass 820/801 partner visa application before your Subclass 300 expires, you pay a reduced Department fee of approximately AUD $1,955 rather than the full partner visa charge. If your Subclass 300 expires before you lodge, the full partner visa fee applies.

What happens if we do not marry within 9 months of entry?

You must marry your sponsor generally within 9 months of entering Australia on the Subclass 300. The exact time frame will be specified on your visa grant notice. If circumstances change and marriage does not take place within that period, your visa may cease and you may need to apply for a different visa to remain in Australia lawfully. We advise on your options if your plans change after entry.

Can my partner visit Australia while the Subclass 300 application is being processed?

Your partner may be able to apply for a visitor visa to visit Australia during the processing period. Visitor visa applications are assessed separately and on their own merits. We advise on visitor visa options as part of the initial consultation where relevant.

Is the Subclass 300 available to same-sex couples?

Yes. Same-sex couples are eligible to apply for the Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa. The requirement is that both parties are engaged and intend to marry in Australia, and that all other eligibility criteria are met. We advise same-sex couples across all partner visa pathways.

What if our relationship has never involved living together?

The Subclass 300 does not require cohabitation at the time of application, but it does require evidence of a genuine relationship and a credible intention to marry. Evidence of in-person meetings, communication history, and shared plans are all relevant. We build an evidence strategy around your specific relationship history.

What if my sponsor has previously sponsored a former partner?

Prior sponsorship history is assessed carefully and can affect eligibility. Restrictions apply where a sponsor has previously sponsored a partner or Prospective Marriage Visa applicant, or has been sponsored themselves within the previous five years. We assess your sponsor's history at the initial consultation and advise on any restrictions before lodgement.

Related Services

The quality of your application from day one determines how smoothly the process runs. Call us on 1300 935 635 or book a consultation online and we will tell you exactly where you stand.
Book a Free Consultation
Helping Couples Stay Together in Australia
Office address
Level 13, 200 Queens Street Melbourne
Need Migration Help?
Leave your email and our migration team will contact you shortly.
Copyright © 2026 Partner Lawyers Visa Pty Ltd All rights reserved.
Terms and Conditions