Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300)
Updated 22 July 2026
This is general information, not migration advice. Visa rules, fees and eligibility change often — always confirm on the Department of Home Affairs website, and speak to a registered migration agent about your own situation.
Overview
The Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) lets you come to Australia to marry your prospective spouse. It is a temporary visa: you can live, work and study in Australia for 9 to 15 months from the visa grant date, and travel in and out of Australia as often as you like while it is valid. You must be outside Australia when you apply. If you and your spouse want to settle in Australia, you then apply for the Partner visa (subclasses 820 and 801) after you are married and before your Prospective Marriage visa ends - and you pay a lower Partner visa charge if you do so. How long you can stay: "9 to 15 months from date of grant of visa." This is a temporary visa; you can stay for the period specified on the visa grant letter.
Step by step
Step 1: Step 1 - Before you apply: check the requirements and, if you want help, appoint a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person (Form 956A for an authorised recipient).
Step 2: Step 2 - Gather and prepare your documents: identity documents, evidence of your relationship with your prospective spouse, details of former relationships, and documents for dependants.
Step 3: Step 3 - Apply for the visa online in ImmiAccount: select 'New application', then 'Family', then 'Stage 1 - Partner or Prospective Marriage Visa'; complete the application, pay the visa application charge, submit it, give your Transaction Reference Number (TRN) to your sponsor so they can apply for sponsorship, and attach supporting documents. You and any family who apply with you must be outside Australia.
Step 4: Step 4 - After you apply: be sponsored, organise health examinations and character documents, provide biometrics if asked, tell us if your details or circumstances change, and tell us through ImmiAccount ('Update details' > 'Change in situation') if you marry.
Step 5: Step 5 - Visa outcome: we notify you in writing. You must enter Australia before the first entry date on your grant letter, marry your prospective spouse before the visa expires, and then apply for a Partner visa (subclasses 820 and 801) if you want to stay.
Eligibility & requirements
- Be 18 years old or older.
- Have a sponsor who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Intend to marry your prospective spouse before the visa period ends.
- Have met your prospective spouse face to face as adults since turning 18, and be known to each other personally at the time you apply.
- Be outside Australia when you apply, along with any family who apply with you; you can be in or outside Australia when we decide your temporary visa application.
- Meet our health requirement and our character requirement (family members who apply with you must too).
- Have no outstanding debt to the Australian Government, and if you are 18 or older sign the Australian Values Statement.
- Not have had a visa cancelled or an application refused in a way that prevents this application; the visa will not be granted if it is not in the best interests of an applicant under 18.
Costs
| Item | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| Application charge (main applicant) | From AUD11,710.00. "AUD11,710.00 for the main applicant. Concessions apply in limited circumstances." |
| Additional family members and other costs | Current fee is published on the Home Affairs page for this visa — see Key links. |
| Later Partner visa (subclasses 820/801) charge | You will also have to pay a fee for the Partner visa (subclasses 820 and 801). Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) holders pay from AUD1,955.00 (as published on the Partner visas (apply in Australia) page). |
Key links
- Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) (opens the official website)
- Partner visas (apply in Australia) (subclasses 820 and 801) (opens the official website)
- Visa Pricing Estimator (opens the official website)
- Global visa processing times guide (opens the official website)
- Visa conditions for subclass 300 (opens the official website)
- Who can help with your application (opens the official website)
Contacts
- Registered migration agent (MARA)
- For advice about your own circumstances, use a registered migration agent or a legal service. This page is general information only.