Prospective
marriage visa
For couples intending to travel to Australia to marry their Australian partner, then transition to a permanent partner visa.
The Intent to Marry
The Subclass 300 allows a 9 to 15 month stay in Australia for the express purpose of getting married. Unlike de facto partner visas, the primary requirement is proof of a genuine intention to marry and a positive relationship history, rather than a shared household history.
You must be outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is granted. Once married, you apply for the onshore 820/801 partner visa - at a substantially reduced government fee if lodged while the 300 is still valid.
Critical Criteria
- ●Evidence of genuine intent to marry - typically a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) lodged with an Australian celebrant.
- ●Verification that you have met your partner in person as adults.
- ●A clear strategy for the subsequent 820/801 transition - the marriage window is finite.
2026: Decision-Ready or Refused
The April 2026 partner processing update covers Subclass 300 applications as well: lodge complete and decision-ready, expect typically one s 56 request before decision, and use ImmiAccount as the only channel. Because the 300 runs on a fixed marriage window, an avoidable information request can consume months you do not have.
We plan the whole arc at the outset - NOIM timing, visa validity, the wedding date and the 820/801 transition - so no stage is left to chance.
Government charges (paid to Home Affairs) - from 1 July 2026
The reduced 820/801 charge for Subclass 300 holders is indicative - the confirmed FY2025‑26 figure was $1,560 and the post-1-July-2026 amount should be verified before lodgement. Visa application charges are not refunded on refusal.
Fees current as at 3 July 2026 (FY2026‑27); the charge at your lodgement date applies - confirm at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
Subclass 300 FAQs
Do we have to marry in Australia?
No - the marriage can take place anywhere in the world, but it must occur while the visa is valid, and you must enter Australia at least once before the wedding. Most couples marry in Australia because the NOIM and celebrant framework makes the evidence straightforward.
Can I work on a Subclass 300 visa?
Yes, the Subclass 300 carries work rights for its validity period. Once you lodge the onshore 820/801 after marrying, a bridging visa typically continues those rights while the partner visa is assessed.
What if we are already engaged but have lived together?
Couples with 12 months of cohabitation (or a registered relationship) may qualify for a partner visa directly, skipping the 300 stage and its extra fee. Which route is cheaper and faster depends on your evidence - this is exactly what an initial consultation resolves.
A wedding date deserves a legal plan
Book a consultation with an Australian migration lawyer and map the 300 → 820/801 sequence before you lodge anything.
Book a consultation