Overview
The Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage visa — often called the fiancé(e) visa — lets you travel to Australia to marry your intended spouse, who must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. It is a temporary visa (generally valid for around 9 to 15 months); you must be outside Australia when it is decided, you marry within the visa's validity period, and you then apply onshore for the Partner visa (subclass 820/801) to stay permanently.
The Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage visa — the fiancé(e) visa — lets you come to Australia to marry your intended spouse. It is a temporary visa: you enter, you marry within its validity, and you then apply onshore for the Partner visa (820/801) to stay permanently.
Who is the subclass 300 visa for?
The 300 is for couples who are engaged but not yet married, where one partner is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen and the other is overseas. You must have met in person as adults, genuinely intend to marry, and be outside Australia when the visa is decided.
Should you apply for a 300 or a Partner visa?
If you are already married or in a genuine de facto relationship, the offshore Partner visa (309/100) is usually more direct — it heads straight toward permanent residence. The 300 exists for the specific case where you want to marry in Australia first. Getting this choice right at the start saves the most time and money.
How does the 300 visa pathway work?
You lodge the 300 with a Notice of Intended Marriage from an authorised celebrant, marry within the visa’s validity (generally around 9 to 15 months), and then apply for the onshore Partner visa (820/801). Plan for the full pathway — and its combined fees — not just the first step.
What evidence do you need for a 300 visa?
Prospective Marriage and Partner applications are decided on the genuineness of the relationship. Photos together, communication history, evidence you have met, statements from people who know you as a couple, and wedding planning all matter. Building this file properly at the 300 stage makes the later Partner application far smoother.
Fees and processing times shown above are sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and displayed with the date verified.
Who is eligible for the Subclass 300 visa?
- You and your intended spouse are both at least 18 years old
- You have met in person as adults and know each other personally
- You genuinely intend to marry within the validity period of the visa
- Your fiancé(e) is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who can sponsor you
- You intend a genuine and continuing relationship as a married couple
- You meet health and character requirements and are outside Australia when the visa is decided
How much does the Subclass 300 visa cost?
The base application charge is A$11,710. An additional A$5,860 applies per applicant aged 18 or over. After marrying, the onshore Partner visa (820/801) application then costs A$1,955 for a 300 visa holder — budget for the whole pathway. Checked against the official Home Affairs pricing table on 11 October 2026. See every Subclass 300 stream's charge and processing time, or compare every visa on our Australian visa fees table. Fees are indexed each year — see the official Visa Pricing Estimator for the current figure.
How long does the Subclass 300 visa take to process?
Around 75% of applications are finalised within 20 months, and 90% within 26 months.
Official figures as at 29 September 2026. Source: Department of Home Affairs — Global visa processing times. Compare all visas on our processing times tracker. Times are a guide only — complete, decision-ready applications are generally faster.
How do you apply for the Subclass 300 visa?
- Gather relationship evidence. Document that you have met in person as adults and that the relationship and intention to marry are genuine.
- Get a Notice of Intended Marriage. Arrange a Notice of Intended Marriage with an authorised Australian marriage celebrant — you need this to lodge.
- Lodge the 300 offshore. Apply while outside Australia and remain outside when it is granted; your sponsor's details are lodged with the application.
- Enter, marry, then apply for the Partner visa. Travel to Australia, marry within the visa validity, and apply onshore for the Subclass 820/801 Partner visa to stay permanently.
How it compares
| Feature | 300 Prospective Marriage | 309/100 Partner (offshore) | 820/801 Partner (onshore) |
|---|---|---|---|
| For | Engaged, not yet married | Married or de facto | Married or de facto |
| Marry first? | No — you marry after arrival | Yes (or de facto) | Yes (or de facto) |
| Where you are | Offshore at decision | Offshore at decision | Onshore |
| Result | Temporary — then apply Partner | Provisional then PR (100) | Provisional then PR (801) |
Frequently asked questions
Should I use the 300 or go straight to a partner visa?
If you are not yet married and want to marry in Australia, the 300 is designed for you. If you are already married or in a genuine de facto relationship, an offshore Partner visa (309/100) is usually the more direct route because it heads straight for permanent residence. The right choice depends on your relationship status, where you both are, and cost and timing — it is worth a short conversation before you lodge.
How long do I have to marry after arriving?
You must marry within the validity period of the 300, which is generally around 9 to 15 months from grant. After you marry, you apply for the onshore Partner visa (820/801). You do not have to marry the day you arrive, but you should plan the wedding within the visa's validity.
Do we really have to have met in person?
Yes. You and your fiancé(e) must have physically met and be known to each other as adults. Meeting only online is not sufficient for the 300.
Can I work on a Prospective Marriage visa?
Yes, the 300 generally allows you to work and study while it is valid. Government study funding and some benefits are not available at this stage.
What does the pathway cost overall?
The 300 carries a significant Visa Application Charge, and the subsequent Partner visa has its own (substantial) charge. Because the fees are large and change, check the current figures on the Home Affairs pricing estimator and budget for the whole pathway — 300 first, then Partner — rather than just the first step.
Related visas
- Partner visa (Subclasses 820/801 & 309/100)
- Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 870)
- Visitor visa (Subclass 600)
- Australian citizenship
- Child visa (Subclasses 101, 802 & 445)
- Parent visa (Contributory & non-contributory)
- New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa (Subclass 461)
Related guides
- Complete guide to Australian immigration in 2026
- Visa Refused? Your Appeal Options and the ART Review