Written by Navpreet Aulakh, Registered Migration Agent MARN 2619467
Checked against Department of Home Affairs guidance on 28 October 2026
If you are engaged to an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen and live overseas, the prospective marriage visa (subclass 300) lets you come to Australia, marry, and then apply for a Partner visa from inside Australia. If you are already married or in a de facto relationship, you usually skip the 300 and apply for a Partner visa straight away, either offshore (subclass 309/100) or onshore (subclass 820/801). The right choice depends on where you are now, whether you are married yet, and where you want the wedding to happen.
This guide compares the two routes side by side so you can see which one fits your situation before you spend money on an application.
What is the prospective marriage visa (subclass 300)?
The Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) is a temporary visa for people who are engaged to an eligible Australian partner and plan to marry them. Home Affairs states that the visa lets you live, work and study in Australia for 9 to 15 months from the grant date, and travel in and out of Australia as many times as you like while it is valid.
The visa is a stepping stone. It does not lead to permanent residence by itself. Once you are married, and before the 300 expires, you apply for the onshore Partner visa (subclass 820 and 801).
Key requirements published by Home Affairs include:
- You and your sponsor must both be 18 or older when you apply.
- Your sponsor is your prospective spouse, and Home Affairs must approve them as your sponsor.
- You must have met each other in person as adults (since turning 18) and know each other personally when you apply.
- You must intend to marry before the visa period ends, and the marriage must be valid under Australian law. It can take place in any country.
- You must be outside Australia when you apply, along with any family members applying with you.
- You must enter Australia before the first entry date on your grant letter.
- Health, character and Australian values statement requirements apply.
What are the Partner visa options if you are already married or de facto?
Australia has two Partner visa pathways, and both are two-stage visas where you apply for the temporary and permanent stages together:
- Offshore - Partner visa subclass 309 and 100. You must be outside Australia when you apply. Home Affairs says you can be in or outside Australia when the temporary visa is decided.
- Onshore - Partner visa subclass 820 and 801. You must be in Australia when you apply, and you cannot apply if your current or previous visa has a no further stay condition such as condition 8503, unless a waiver has been approved first.
For both, you must be the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. De facto couples usually need to have been in the relationship for at least 12 months immediately before applying. Home Affairs lists exceptions, such as when the relationship is registered with an Australian state or territory or there are compelling and compassionate circumstances. If you want more detail on choosing between the two Partner streams, see our guide on onshore vs offshore partner visas.
Prospective marriage visa vs partner visa: side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Prospective Marriage (300) | Partner offshore (309/100) | Partner onshore (820/801) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relationship status at application | Engaged, intending to marry | Married or de facto | Married or de facto |
| Where you apply | Outside Australia | Outside Australia | In Australia |
| Visa type | Temporary (9 to 15 months) | Temporary, then permanent | Temporary, then permanent |
| Work and study | Yes, while the visa is valid | Yes, on the 309 | Yes, on the 820 |
| Government application charge (main applicant) | From AUD11,710 | From AUD11,710 (covers both stages) | From AUD11,710 for most applicants; from AUD1,955 for 300 holders |
| Leads to permanent residence? | Not directly - you then apply for the 820/801 | Yes, through the subclass 100 | Yes, through the subclass 801 |
Costs above are the Home Affairs base application charges as published on 28 October 2026. Extra charges apply for each family member, and you will also pay for health checks, police certificates and biometrics. A lower charge applies from 1 July 2026 to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens. Use the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator for your exact figure.
How much does each pathway cost in total?
This is where many couples get caught out. The 300 route means two government charges, not one:
- The Prospective Marriage visa: from AUD11,710 for the main applicant.
- The onshore Partner visa (820/801) after you marry: from AUD1,955 for Prospective Marriage visa holders.
Home Affairs notes that you pay this lower Partner visa charge only if you marry your prospective spouse and apply for the Partner visa before your Prospective Marriage visa ends. If you miss that window, the reduced charge is not available.
By comparison, a Partner visa lodged directly (offshore or onshore) costs from AUD11,710 for the main applicant and covers both the temporary and permanent stages. So if you are already married, or could marry before applying, going straight to a Partner visa usually costs less in government charges.
Which pathway fits your situation?
The prospective marriage visa usually suits you if:
- You are engaged but not yet married, and you are not in a de facto relationship that would meet the Partner visa rules.
- You want the wedding to take place in Australia with your partner's family and friends.
- You are outside Australia now and want to live with your partner while you plan the wedding.
- You have met in person as adults, but have not lived together long enough to count as de facto.
A Partner visa usually suits you if:
- You are already married, or you can marry overseas before you lodge.
- You have been in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months, or one of the published exceptions applies.
- You want a single application that covers both temporary and permanent stages.
- You are in Australia on a substantive visa without a no further stay condition, in which case the onshore 820/801 may be open to you.
For a wider look at family pathways, including parent and child visas, see our partner and family visas overview.
What happens after you arrive on a prospective marriage visa?
The 300 is a short visa with fixed steps, so planning matters:
- Enter Australia before the first entry date on your grant letter.
- Marry your sponsor before the 300 expires. The marriage must be valid under Australian law.
- Apply for the Partner visa (820/801) in Australia after the wedding and before the 300 ends, with the evidence of your marriage and relationship.
- Keep your visa status in check. Use VEVO to confirm your dates and conditions. Your application is lodged through ImmiAccount.
A practical point from the Home Affairs 820 page: applicants who do not hold a substantive visa when they apply for the 820 usually have to show compelling reasons for the grant. That extra hurdle does not apply to people who previously held a Prospective Marriage visa. Even so, applying while your 300 is still valid keeps things simpler and protects the lower charge.
What if the relationship ends or plans change?
Home Affairs says Prospective Marriage visa holders and former holders may still be eligible for the 820/801 if the relationship ends or the partner dies before they apply. You need to be in Australia to apply. Family violence provisions may also apply. These are complex situations and the outcome depends on your individual facts, so get advice early.
If you do not marry before the 300 ends and no exception applies, you will need to hold another visa or leave Australia. It is worth checking your bridging visa position before lodging any onshore application.
How long does each visa take to process?
Home Affairs does not publish a fixed processing time for the Prospective Marriage visa or either Partner visa. It says applicants may experience longer processing times than expected and points to its visa processing time guide, which shows times for recently decided applications only. Family visas are processed under Ministerial Direction 117 (family visa processing priorities).
For the permanent stage (801 or 100), Home Affairs states that processing starts from the date of eligibility, which is two years after you applied for the temporary and permanent Partner visas.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying for the 300 when you already qualify for a Partner visa. If you are married or de facto, the 300 adds a second application and a second charge.
- Applying from the wrong place. The 300 and 309 must be lodged from outside Australia; the 820 must be lodged in Australia.
- Leaving the Partner visa application too late. Lodging after the 300 has ended can cost you the lower charge and create visa status problems.
- Weak relationship evidence. Both pathways look closely at whether your relationship is genuine. Our partner visa evidence guide and document checklists explain what to gather.
- Not checking your current visa conditions. A no further stay condition can block an onshore application unless a waiver is approved first.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for a prospective marriage visa while I am in Australia?
No. Home Affairs requires you to be outside Australia when you apply for the subclass 300, and any family members applying with you must also be outside Australia.
Do we have to get married in Australia on a 300 visa?
No. Home Affairs says you can marry in any country, as long as the marriage is valid under Australian law and happens before the Prospective Marriage visa expires.
Is the 300 visa cheaper than a Partner visa?
Not overall. The 300 costs from AUD11,710, and you then pay from AUD1,955 for the onshore Partner visa. A Partner visa lodged directly costs from AUD11,710 and covers both stages.
Can I work on a prospective marriage visa?
Yes. Home Affairs states that the 300 lets you live, work and study in Australia for 9 to 15 months from the grant date.
Do we need to have lived together for a prospective marriage visa?
No. You must have met in person as adults and know each other personally, and you must intend to marry. There is no requirement to have lived together, which is one reason the 300 suits couples who are not yet de facto.
Get advice on the right partner pathway
Choosing between a prospective marriage visa and a Partner visa affects your costs, your timeline and where your wedding can happen. A registered migration agent can review your relationship history, your current visa and your plans, and explain which pathway fits. Book your consultation with Nanak Migration Group to talk through your options.
Official sources: Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300), Partner visa (subclass 820 and 801) and Partner visa (subclass 309 and 100) on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not migration advice for your circumstances. Visa rules, charges and requirements change. Before you make any decision or lodge an application, book a consultation with a registered migration agent who can assess your situation.