Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300)
This specialized visa service page is about the Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) — the Australian visa that lets you bring your fiancé to Australia so the two of you can marry and start your life together. It’s often called the “fiancé visa,” and it’s the right starting point if you’re engaged but not yet married, and your partner is an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
Below, we’ll walk you through what the visa actually allows, who can apply, what proof you’ll need to gather, and what happens after the wedding. We’ll also show you how it compares to other partner visa options, answer the questions couples ask us most, and explain exactly how Ezy Immigration — a New Zealand-based team of licensed advisers who are also registered to practise Australian migration law — supports you at every step.
What Is the Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300)?
The Subclass 300 is a temporary visa. Once granted, it lets your partner travel to Australia and stay for nine months. During that time, the two of you must get married. It doesn’t require you to have lived together first, which sets it apart from most other partner visa categories — instead, the Department of Home Affairs wants to see a genuine, committed relationship and a real plan to marry.
Think of it as the bridge between “engaged” and “married and settled.” Once the wedding happens, your partner can then apply for the Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801) from inside Australia, which is the pathway to permanent residency.
Common Worries Couples Face — and How We Help
Most couples come to us feeling a bit overwhelmed, and that’s completely normal. Long-distance relationships already carry enough stress without adding a stack of visa paperwork on top. A few worries come up again and again.
“Will they believe our relationship is real?” This is the number one concern we hear, and it’s understandable — the Department wants solid, well-organised proof, not just a few holiday photos. “What if we get a date wrong, or miss a document?” Small errors cause real delays, and delays mean more months apart. “How do we even start, from another country?” Applying from overseas, in a different time zone, while planning a wedding, is genuinely a lot to juggle at once.
This is exactly where a registered migration agent earns their keep. Our team reviews your relationship history honestly, tells you early if something is missing, and builds your application the way a case officer will actually read it — clearly, in order, and backed by evidence that holds up.
What the Subclass 300 Visa Gives You
Once your partner’s visa is granted, quite a lot opens up straight away. They can enter Australia and stay for up to nine months, travelling in and out as often as they like during that time — handy if they need to pop home for wedding planning or to see family before the big day. They’re also allowed to work for any employer and study while they’re here, so the visa isn’t just a waiting period; it’s the start of an actual life in Australia.
Most importantly, it sets up the next stage cleanly. Marry within the visa period, and your partner can lodge their Partner Visa (Subclass 820) application from onshore, without needing to leave the country again. For many couples, that’s the real prize — no more goodbyes at the airport.
Who Can Apply for the Subclass 300 Visa
Eligibility comes down to a handful of clear rules, and most couples meet them without much trouble.
You (the applicant) need to be at least 18 years old, and you must be outside Australia both when you lodge the application and when it’s decided. You’ll need to show that you and your sponsoring partner have met in person at least once, and that you have a genuine relationship with real plans to marry within nine months of the visa being granted. Your sponsor — the person in Australia — must be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen, and both of you will need to pass health checks and police character checks from every country you’ve lived in.
Prospective Marriage Visa vs Partner Visa (Subclass 309): What's the Difference?
Couples often ask us whether the Subclass 300 or the offshore Partner Visa (Subclass 309) is the right fit. The honest answer depends on where your relationship stands right now.
| Prospective Marriage Visa (300) | Partner Visa (Subclass 309) | |
|---|---|---|
|
Who it suits |
Engaged couples, not yet married |
Couples already married, or in a de facto relationship |
|
Living together first? |
Not required |
Usually needed — generally 12 months as de facto (unless already married) |
|
Where you apply from |
Outside Australia |
Outside Australia |
|
How long it lasts |
9 months, single entry |
A bridge to the permanent Subclass 100 visa |
|
What comes next |
Marry, then apply for Subclass 820/801 onshore |
Wait for the permanent Subclass 100 to be assessed |
|
Government charge (2026) |
From AUD 11,710 |
From AUD 11,710 |
“Getting engaged is the easy part. Proving it to the Department of Home Affairs, with the right evidence, in the right order — that’s where couples need real, steady help. It’s exactly where we come in.” — the Ezy Immigration team
If you’re already married, our Subclass 100 (Partner Visa, Permanent) and Subclass 309 pages cover that pathway in full detail.
How Ezy Immigration Helps You Apply
We keep the process as simple as we can, because you’ve already got a wedding to plan.
Why Applications Get Refused (and How We Help You Avoid It)
A surprising number of Subclass 300 applications run into trouble, and it’s rarely because the relationship wasn’t real. It’s usually paperwork. Incomplete forms, evidence that doesn’t quite line up, or a wedding plan that isn’t clearly documented can all raise questions with a case officer.
We treat your application the way a case officer will — checking it line by line, looking for gaps before the Department does, and making sure your story is told clearly and consistently from start to finish.
Ready to Bring Your Fiancé to Australia?
If you’re engaged and ready to take this step, you don’t have to work it out alone. Book a free preliminary assessment with our team, and we’ll tell you honestly whether the Subclass 300 is your best option — no pressure, no jargon, just a clear answer. You can also read about our team of licensed advisers, or see what other couples have said about working with us on our client stories page.
Your Future Together Starts Here
Distance is hard. Paperwork shouldn’t make it harder. The Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) exists for exactly this situation — two people who are ready to build a life together but need a clear, honest pathway to get there. With the right evidence and the right guidance, most genuine couples move through this process without unnecessary stress.
That’s what Ezy Immigration is here for. We’ve guided couples through this exact visa for years, and we know both the New Zealand and Australian sides of the journey, because we’re licensed in both. Whatever stage you’re at — still gathering documents, or ready to lodge tomorrow — we’re glad to help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I apply for a Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) from New Zealand?
You lodge the Subclass 300 application online through ImmiAccount while you are outside Australia, along with your relationship evidence and a sponsorship form from your partner. Ezy Immigration, based in New Zealand, prepares your form, checks every document, and submits it correctly, so nothing important gets missed before a decision is made on your future together.
- Who can apply for an Australian Prospective Marriage Visa from New Zealand?
Anyone engaged to an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen can apply, no matter where they currently live or which country they hold a passport from. You must be 18 or older, stay outside Australia when you apply, and show that you and your partner have met face-to-face at least once already.
- What are the core requirements for a Subclass 300 visa?
You need a genuine relationship, a real intention to marry within nine months of your visa being granted, and proof you have met your partner in person at least once. Both of you must also pass health and character checks, and your sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who can support your application.
- Can my partner sponsor me for a Prospective Marriage Visa if they are a permanent resident?
Yes, Australian permanent residents can sponsor a fiancé for the Subclass 300 visa, just like citizens and eligible New Zealand citizens can. Your partner will need to complete a separate sponsorship form alongside your visa application, and Ezy Immigration can prepare both parts together so every detail lines up correctly from the start.
- What documents are required to support a Subclass 300 visa application?
You will usually need identity documents, evidence of a genuine relationship such as photos, messages, and travel records, statements from family or friends who know you as a couple, health examination results, and police clearances from every country you have lived in. Our team helps you gather and present this evidence the right way.
- Can I track my Subclass 300 visa application status online?
Yes, once your application is lodged, you can check its progress through your ImmiAccount at any time you like. Ezy Immigration also keeps a close eye on your case and updates you in plain, everyday language, so you always know exactly what stage your application has reached and what, if anything, you still need to do next.
- What is the average processing time for a Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300)?
As of 2026, half of all Subclass 300 applications are finalised within 12 to 18 months, while some take up to 24 months depending on your country and how complete your evidence is. A thorough, well-prepared application from the very start remains the best way to avoid unnecessary delays or extra requests for information.
- How much does the Subclass 300 visa cost?
The government charge for the Subclass 300 visa is AUD 11,710 from 1 July 2026, with additional costs for health checks, police certificates, and any dependent children you include in your application. Migration agent fees sit on top of this base charge, and we explain every cost clearly and honestly during your first free consultation.
- Do I have to get married in Australia?
No, you can marry overseas as long as the wedding happens within nine months of your visa being granted and the marriage is legally recognised under Australian law. That said, most couples choose to marry in Australia anyway, since it usually makes the following Partner visa application quicker and far more straightforward to prepare.
- What happens if we don't marry within the visa's validity period?
If you do not marry within the nine-month period, your Subclass 300 visa may be cancelled and you could be asked to leave Australia soon after. If your circumstances change unexpectedly, such as illness or a family emergency, contact Ezy Immigration straight away so we can look at your options before the deadline quietly passes.
How would you like to proceed with your Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) plans?
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New Zealand Licensed Immigration Adviser and Australia Registered Migration Agent
IAA # 201300919
MARA # 2117455
Planning your wedding or preparing to build a new life with your fiancé in Australia? Ezy Immigration helps you start your migration journey without hassle. Set up a one-on-one meeting with our registered migration advisers to get personalized advice for your Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) application.
Success Stories
Hear from skilled professionals we have helped successfully migrate to New Zealand.
- What You Get From Your Free Subclass 300 Fiancé Visa Assessment
Are you ready to take the first step toward getting married and starting your life together in Australia? Use our quick, free assessment tool to check your eligibility for the Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300). It takes less than two minutes, costs absolutely nothing, and there are no hidden tricks. We will give you honest, dedicated advice tailored to your relationship—giving you complete clarity on your fiancé visa pathway without any stress.
- We evaluate your engagement and proof of having met in person (no points test required)
- We check your Australian partner's sponsor eligibility and sponsorship limits
- We map out your wedding timeline, visa entry window, and transition to onshore PR (Subclass 820/801)
- Your private relationship evidence, personal photos, and details stay 100% safe and confidential