The Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) is an Australian temporary visa for a person who intends to marry an Australian citizen or permanent resident (the sponsor) and then apply for permanent residence through the partner visa pathway. Unlike the partner visa, which requires the relationship to already be established (as a spouse or de facto), the subclass 300 is designed for couples who are not yet married and where the overseas partner wishes to enter Australia specifically to marry. After the marriage occurs in Australia, the visa holder must apply for a partner visa (subclass 820/801 onshore) to remain in Australia permanently.

For current eligibility requirements, processing times, and fees, refer to the DHA subclass 300 page.

• Migration Regulations 1994 — Subclass 300 (Prospective Marriage) — the visa criteria
• DHA: Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/prospective-marriage-300
• DHA: About partner visas — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/about-partner-visas

Purpose — entering Australia to marry

The subclass 300 is specifically for couples who have not yet married but intend to marry in Australia. It is an entry visa that allows the overseas partner to travel to Australia, marry their sponsoring partner, and then remain in Australia by applying for the onshore partner visa (subclass 820) from within Australia. The 300 is not available for already-married couples (who would apply for the partner visa directly) or de facto partners (who are eligible for the partner visa in their own right).

The genuine relationship requirement

The central eligibility requirement is that the couple must be in a genuine relationship and must intend to marry within the visa period. A decision-maker assesses:

• Whether the relationship is genuine — not entered into primarily for immigration purposes
• Whether the couple has met in person — proxy or internet-only relationships are generally not eligible
• The history and nature of the relationship (how they met, how long they have known each other, communication history, visits, plans for the future)
• Whether the applicant genuinely intends to marry the sponsor within the 9-month visa period

Evidence of the genuine relationship typically includes documentation of the courtship history, communication records, photographs together, statutory declarations, and any co-habitation or travel together.

The 9-month visa period

The subclass 300 is valid for 9 months from the date of grant. The marriage must take place in Australia within this 9-month period. If the marriage does not occur within the period (for example, because the couple separates, or logistical delays prevent the wedding), the 300 holder must leave Australia before the visa expires or apply for another visa. There is no automatic extension of the 300 for logistical reasons.

After the marriage — applying for the partner visa

Once the marriage occurs, the 300 holder must apply for the onshore partner visa (subclass 820/801) from within Australia to remain. They cannot simply remain in Australia on the 300 after marriage — the 300 only authorises the stay for the purpose of getting married and making the next application. When the subclass 820 is applied for, a bridging visa is issued to cover the applicant's stay while the 820 is processed. The pathway is:

1. Enter Australia on subclass 300
2. Marry the sponsoring partner
3. Apply for subclass 820 (temporary partner visa) from within Australia
4. Remain on bridging visa while 820 is assessed
5. 820 granted (temporary) → after 2 years from original 300 application date, assessed for permanent subclass 801

For details of the full partner visa pathway, see the partner visa pathway page.

Health and character requirements

The applicant must meet Australia's health and character requirements. A health examination by a DHA-approved panel physician is required. Character requirements include police clearances from each country lived in for 12+ months in the past 10 years. For current requirements, refer to the DHA subclass 300 page.

Work and study rights

The subclass 300 allows the holder to work and study in Australia during the 9-month visa period. Work is not restricted to a particular employer or occupation.

Family violence provisions

If the relationship breaks down due to family violence, the subclass 300 holder who would otherwise not qualify for a partner visa may still be eligible for protection under the family violence provisions of Australian immigration law. See the family violence provisions page for details.

Processing times and fees

For current processing times and visa application charges for the subclass 300, refer to the DHA subclass 300 page.

The subclass 300 is used in circumstances where the couple prefers to marry in Australia rather than overseas. For couples who are already married or who have been living together in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months, the partner visa (subclass 309/100 offshore or 820/801 onshore) is the appropriate pathway — the 300 is specifically for not-yet-married couples entering Australia to marry. The genuine relationship assessment for the 300 follows the same principles as the partner visa — comprehensive relationship evidence from the outset is important. For current requirements, refer to the DHA subclass 300 page.