အနာဂတ် လက်ထပ်ထိမ်းမြားရေး visa

What this visa is for#

The Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) is in the partner category, in the Fiance stream. It is for a person who is outside Australia and wants to come to Australia to marry their prospective spouse, then apply for a partner visa.

This visa is a temporary visa. Its purpose is to let the visa holder travel to Australia, marry the sponsoring person, and then make a further partner visa application after the marriage.

The subclass 300 is different from a married partner visa. It is designed for couples who are not yet married at the time of application and who plan to marry after the visa holder arrives in Australia.

Who it is generally for#

This visa is for people who are engaged to an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, and who plan to marry after arriving in Australia.

This visa is for people who are outside Australia when they apply. It covers people in a genuine intended marriage relationship who want to enter Australia first, hold the wedding in Australia, and then move on to the partner visa process.

This visa can also include certain family members in the application. Where children or other dependent family members are included, separate government charges apply for each additional applicant.

What it costs#

The government visa application charge for the Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) is:

• Main applicant: $11,710
• Additional applicant 18 or over: $5,860
• Additional applicant under 18: $2,930

These are government charges. They are paid to the Department, and the government charge is the same no matter who lodges the application, whether that is the applicant, a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner.

A migration agent or lawyer may also charge professional fees for preparing, lodging and managing the application. Those professional fees are separate from the government charge, and they vary between providers. Quotes can differ a lot based on the amount of work involved, the number of applicants, the complexity of the documents, and whether translations or extra submissions are needed.

Government charges are indexed and usually change on 1 July. The amount payable is normally the rate in effect on the date the application is lodged.

How long it takes#

Processing times for partner-related visas can vary a lot. Timeframes often depend on how complete the application is, how quickly health and character checks are finalised, and whether the Department asks for more information.

Some applications move more quickly because the documents are clear, current and easy to verify. Others take longer because identity documents are inconsistent, police certificates expire, health examinations need follow-up, or the Department needs extra evidence.

Published processing times can change over time. The Department updates service standards and global processing information from time to time, so the best source for current timing is the official visa processing page.

What the process involves#

The process usually starts with preparing the application and supporting documents. This commonly includes identity documents, relationship evidence, proof of plans to marry, and documents relating to the sponsor and any dependent applicants.

The subclass 300 is generally lodged while the visa applicant is outside Australia. The application is lodged online through the Department's system, and the relevant visa application charge is paid at lodgement.

After lodgement, the Department may issue requests for further information. These can relate to missing identity pages, unclear scans, relationship evidence, police checks, health examinations, sponsorship documents, or forms that have not been completed properly.

Health and character steps are a routine part of many visa processes. Police certificates usually need to come from each country where the applicant has spent the required period of time, and health examinations are arranged through the Department's approved panel process.

If the visa is granted, the visa holder can travel to Australia and marry their prospective spouse. After the marriage, a separate partner visa application may be lodged if the couple wants to continue through the partner visa pathway.

Because this is a temporary visa linked to an intended marriage, timing matters. The marriage needs to take place within the visa period, and the later partner visa application is a separate step with its own forms, evidence and charges.

What commonly goes wrong#

One of the biggest problems is incomplete evidence at lodgement. Applications are often delayed when key documents are missing, scans are unreadable, names do not match across documents, or relationship evidence is thin and not organised clearly.

Another common issue is using documents that expire during processing. Police certificates, passports and some civil documents can become outdated while the file is still under assessment, which can lead to fresh requests and extra waiting time.

Poor document quality also causes problems. Cropped scans, low-resolution phone photos, missing passport pages and untranslated documents can make it harder for the Department to verify identity, travel history and family details.

Changes in personal circumstances are sometimes not reported promptly. If an address, passport, contact number, relationship status or family composition changes, the Department usually needs to be updated. Delays in reporting these changes can cause missed correspondence or confusion about the current facts.

Email problems are more common than many people expect. Requests from the Department can be missed because an email address was entered incorrectly, the inbox is full, spam filters caught the message, or the applicant stopped checking the account used at lodgement.

Some people book weddings or make major travel plans too early. Visa processing is not guaranteed to finish by a particular date, and a ceremony booking does not make the application move faster.

Another practical problem is misunderstanding visa conditions and timing. A person can assume that all rights start immediately, but visa conditions depend on the visa actually held at that point in time.

People also sometimes assume a bridging visa carries the same rights as the substantive visa they held before, or the same rights they expect to have later. That is not always the case. Work rights, travel rights and Medicare access can differ depending on the visa in effect.

Applications can also be slowed by inconsistent information across forms, statements and supporting documents. Small differences in addresses, travel dates, employment history or relationship dates can trigger questions that take time to resolve.

Including family members can add extra steps. If dependent applicants need health checks, police checks, custody documents or identity records from overseas, the application can take longer if those documents are hard to obtain.

Frequently asked questions#

Can I apply for a Prospective Marriage visa while I am in Australia?#

This visa is generally used by people who are outside Australia when they apply. The subclass 300 is designed for a person who comes to Australia to marry their prospective spouse, then applies for a partner visa after the marriage.

How much is the Prospective Marriage visa government fee?#

The current government charge is $11,710 for the main applicant. It is $5,860 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over, and $2,930 for each additional applicant under 18. These charges are paid to the government and are separate from any professional fees.

Does a migration agent charge the same as the government fee?#

No. A migration agent or lawyer may charge professional fees for their work, and those fees are separate from the government visa application charge. The government charge is the same no matter who lodges the application.

After the wedding, do I automatically become a permanent resident?#

No. This visa is a temporary visa. Its purpose is to allow the holder to come to Australia to marry their prospective spouse, then apply for a partner visa as a separate later step.

How long does the Prospective Marriage visa take to process?#

There is no single processing time that fits every application. Time can vary based on document quality, whether extra information is requested, how quickly health and character checks are completed, and the Department's current workload.

About this page. This is general information about how the Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) works. It is not immigration assistance and it is not advice about your situation. Under section 280 of the Migration Act 1958 only a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner can give you that. Charges are indexed and most change on 1 July, so check any figure against immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before you rely on it, and check any agent's registration on the OMARA (Migration Agents Registration Authority) register.