PROSPECTIVE MARRIAGE VISA
(Subclass 300)
Visa Features:
This visa enables individuals to travel to Australia for the purpose of marrying their fiancé. Upon receiving this visa, it is expected that you marry your fiancé and subsequently apply for a Partner visa (subclasses 820 and 801) before the expiration of your Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300).
Eligibility Criteria:
To qualify, you must:
- Have the intention to enter into marriage.
- Be acquainted with and know your prospective spouse.
- Satisfy health and character requirements.
- Be a minimum of 18 years of age.
The Prospective Marriage visa serves the purpose of enabling the fiancé(e) of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to journey to Australia for the purpose of getting married. The wedding ceremony must occur within nine to 15 months from the visa grant date, after which the applicant becomes eligible to apply for a Partner visa.
PROSPECTIVE MARRIAGE VISA REQUIREMENTS
APPLICATION PROCESS
Your journey begins with the submission of the Prospective Marriage visa application to the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) on behalf of both you and your sponsor. The central focus lies on ensuring that your relationship and your sponsor align with the specified requirements mentioned earlier. Additionally, you’ll need to clear standard health and character checks.
The Prospective Marriage visa, with a validity period of nine to 15 months, grants you the opportunity to travel to Australia before tying the knot with your fiancé(e). While you must be outside Australia during the application, you can be anywhere when your visa is granted. The marriage should unfold during the visa’s validity period, either in Australia or overseas.
Next Steps: Partner Visa
Upon entering Australia and celebrating your marriage, you become eligible to apply for a Partner visa. Ensure to lodge this application before your Prospective Marriage visa expires. Key requirements for the Partner visa encompass:
- Being in a mutually exclusive relationship with your spouse.
- Demonstrating the genuineness and continuity of your relationship.
- Living together as a couple or temporarily living apart.
Assuming you meet the relevant criteria, you’ll secure a temporary Partner visa, valid for a ‘stand-down period’ of approximately two years from the application lodgment date. At the end of this period, you can transition to a permanent Partner visa, provided your relationship maintains the stipulated requirements.
PLEASE NOTE: The preparation and lodgment of your application might span several weeks, contingent on how promptly both you and your sponsor furnish the necessary supporting information and documents. The DOHA’s processing time is subject to its service standards, case intricacies, perceived risk factors, and processing priorities. Contact us for the latest information on anticipated processing timeframes for this application category.
Application Processing Timeline
Dive into your Australian journey with a Prospective Marriage visa and explore the anticipated processing times:
- 25% of Applications Processed: 6 Months
- 90% of Applications Processed: 35 Months
Duration of Stay
Embark on an Australian adventure with a Prospective Marriage visa, offering a stay of vibrant experiences lasting between 9 and 15 months from the day the visa is granted.
Investment
Embarking on this journey comes with a cost tailored to different age groups:
- Main Applicant (18 years and above): $8,850 (Visa Application Fee)
- Children Over 18: $935
- Children Under 18: $470
Discover the possibilities with this visa:
- Explore and reside in Australia for a span of up to nine months
- Engage in work opportunities across Australia
- Pursue your studies in Australia, covering your own expenses
- Enjoy the flexibility of traveling in and out of Australia without constraints. Special details apply for New Zealand citizens.
Bringing Family On Board
There is a fee for any children applying for the visa with you.
Beyond the Basics: Additional Expenses
If you need to have them, you will have to pay other costs such as those for health checks, police certificates, and biometrics.
Next Steps: Partner Visa (Subclass 820 and 801)
You will also have to pay a fee for your Partner visa (subclass 820 and 801).
If you marry your fiancé and lodge your Partner visa application before your Prospective Marriage visa expires, you will pay a reduced fee.
If you do not lodge your Partner visa application before your Prospective Marriage visa expires, you will pay a higher fee.
Applying from Afar
You must be outside Australia when you apply for the visa and in or outside when the visa is decided.
Time in Transit
The visa lasts 9 to 15 months from the date it is granted. It cannot be extended.
Family Matters
You can include your dependent children or stepchildren in your application.
If you are granted the visa, your children will have the same rights and visa conditions as you.
Commitments and Responsibilities
You should marry your fiancé and apply for a Partner visa (subclass 820 and 801) before the Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) expires.
You and your children must comply with Australian laws and your visa conditions.
You can find your visa conditions in VEVO.
Sponsorship Dynamics
Sponsors must be the fiancé of the visa applicant.
Navigating the Sponsorship Shift
The recent modifications to Sponsored Family visas haven’t affected the Partner visas. Unlike the changes requiring sponsorships to be submitted and approved before lodging Partner visas, onshore Partner visa applicants can still lodge their visa application before their substantive visa expires. The sponsorship application is independently assessed and doesn’t need approval before submitting a valid Partner visa application.
If you’re considering a Partner visa application, we suggest scheduling an appointment to explore and comprehend how these changes might influence your situation.