Subclass 300 Pre-Partner (Entry)

Prospective Marriage Visa
Subclass 300

The Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage visa allows you to enter Australia to marry your Australian partner, then apply for an onshore partner visa. All details sourced from immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.

📋 Key Facts

Pathway
300 → Marry → 820/801
Stage
Pre-Partner (entry visa, not a partner visa itself)
Apply From
Outside Australia
Processing Time
See the official processing time guide
Cost (from 1 July 2026)
AUD 11,710 base application charge

✨ At a Glance

  • ✓ Stay 9 to 15 months from grant; marry before the visa period ends
  • ✓ Must have met your sponsor in person as adults
  • ✓ Work rights upon entry to Australia
  • ✓ After marriage, apply for 820/801 partner visa onshore
  • ✓ Must genuinely intend to live together as spouses

Key Features of the Subclass 300 Visa

—

Visa period: Home Affairs says the visa lets you stay in Australia for the period on your grant letter — 9 to 15 months from the grant date. You must intend to marry your prospective spouse before the visa period ends, and if you are outside Australia at grant you must first enter by the date on your grant letter.

—

In-person meeting requirement: You and your prospective spouse must have met in person as adults since turning 18, and be known to each other personally when you apply.

—

Genuine intention to marry: You must intend to marry your prospective spouse before the visa period ends, and provide evidence of your relationship as set out on the 300 page.

—

Work rights upon entry: Home Affairs says the 300 lets you live, work and study in Australia for the visa period.

—

Transition to partner visa: After your marriage, you apply for the combined Subclass 820/801 partner visa onshore. You will pay a further application charge for the partner visa. For a Prospective Marriage visa holder who has married their sponsor, the base charge is AUD 1,955. The 300 itself does not lead to permanent residency — it is an entry pathway.

—

Genuine intention to live together: You must demonstrate that you genuinely intend to live together as spouses after marriage. This goes beyond just getting married — the Department wants to see that you have a real, committed relationship with shared future plans.

Evidence Required for Subclass 300

Unlike partner visas, the 300 focuses on proving your intention to marry and the development of your relationship, rather than proving an established spousal relationship. However, the four pillars framework is still relevant.

💒 Intention to Marry

  • Letter from authorised marriage celebrant confirming booking
  • Venue reservation receipts or contracts
  • Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) lodged with celebrant
  • Wedding planning documents (catering, photography bookings)
  • Evidence of marriage preparations and timeline

🤝 Proof of Meeting in Person

  • Photos of you together from visits
  • Flight itineraries and boarding passes
  • Hotel bookings or accommodation receipts
  • Passport stamps showing travel to meet each other
  • Statements detailing your in-person meetings

📱 Relationship Development

  • Timeline of your relationship from first contact to engagement
  • Communication records (messages, calls, video chats)
  • Photos together over time showing relationship progression
  • Social media posts and interactions
  • Statements from friends and family about your relationship

🏡 Future Plans Together

  • Plans for where you will live in Australia
  • Discussion of career and life goals as a couple
  • Knowledge of each other's personal and family circumstances
  • Any shared financial planning or commitments
  • Evidence of genuine intention to build a life together

Processing Pathway & Timeline

Step 1: Prepare & Lodge 300 Application

Gather evidence of your intention to marry, proof of meeting in person, and relationship development. Pay the AUD 11,710 base charge and lodge via ImmiAccount from outside Australia. Your sponsor must also provide their details and support.

Step 2: Health & Character Checks

Complete health examinations at an approved panel physician and provide police certificates from countries where you have lived for 12+ months in the past 10 years. Complete these promptly to avoid processing delays.

Step 3: Application Assessment

A case officer reviews your evidence of intention to marry and the genuineness of your relationship. Home Affairs does not publish a fixed timeframe. Its visa processing time guide shows how long recently decided applications took — a guide only, not specific to your application. The Department may request additional information.

Step 4: Subclass 300 Grant — Enter Australia & Marry

You receive your 300 visa. If you are outside Australia at grant, enter by the first entry date on your grant letter. Marry before the visa period ends (shown on your grant letter; 9 to 15 months from grant), then apply for the 820/801 before the 300 expires to pay the lower charge.

Step 5: Apply for Onshore Partner Visa (820/801)

After your marriage, lodge the combined Subclass 820/801 partner visa application from within Australia. You will pay a further base application charge (AUD 1,955 if you still hold the Prospective Marriage visa and have married your sponsor). You will receive a Bridging Visa A allowing you to stay lawfully while your partner visa is processed. See our Subclass 820 guide for the next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if we don't marry before the visa period ends? +

The 300 is a temporary visa that ends on the date shown on your grant letter. Home Affairs says you pay less for the 820/801 only if you marry and apply before the 300 ends; after it ends, a higher charge applies (from AUD 2,475 for a ceased Prospective Marriage visa holder, from AUD 11,710 for most other applicants). If circumstances prevent you from marrying (e.g., serious illness, closed borders), you should seek urgent advice from a registered migration agent about your options.

Can I work on a Subclass 300 visa? +

Yes. Home Affairs says the 300 lets you live, work and study in Australia for the visa period. Check your visa conditions in VEVO.

Do I pay the partner visa fee twice (300 then 820/801)? +

Yes. The Subclass 300 is a separate visa with its own base application charge (AUD 11,710). After marriage, when you apply for the onshore 820/801 partner visa, as a Prospective Marriage visa holder you pay a further base application charge (currently AUD 1,955). This is an important cost consideration — the total pathway via the 300 costs more than applying directly for a partner visa if you are already married.

What counts as "meeting in person" for the 300 requirement? +

You and your sponsor must have physically met at least once as adults (18+). Acceptable evidence includes photos of you together, flight itineraries, passport stamps, hotel bookings, and detailed statements describing your time together. Home Affairs requires that you have met in person as adults — the meeting must be in person.

ℹ️ Disclaimer: General information only. Not migration or legal advice. All visa details sourced from immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. For personalised advice about your situation, consult a registered migration agent.

Planning Your Prospective Marriage Visa?

Our AI assistant can help you understand the 300 visa requirements, evidence of intention to marry, and the pathway to permanent residency after your wedding.

General information only. Consult a registered migration agent for case-specific advice.