Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300)
The fiancé visa for couples planning to marry in Australia
- No visas,
no fees - 4.9 Google Reviews
- Experienced
immigration lawyers
What is the prospective marriage visa (Subclass 300)?
The Subclass 300 is a temporary Australian visa for people planning to marry an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. You apply from outside Australia. Once your visa is granted, you have 9 months to enter Australia and marry your partner. After the wedding, you apply for the Subclass 820/801 partner visa - the pathway to permanent residency.
Are you eligible for the Subclass 300?
You can apply for the Subclass 300 if you're outside Australia, engaged to an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, and intend to marry them within 9 months of the visa being granted.
Applicant requirements
- You're outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is decided
- You're 18 or older
- You've met your partner in person as adults
- You intend to marry your partner within 9 months of the visa being granted
- Your relationship is genuine and your commitment to marry is real
- You meet the health and character requirements
Sponsor requirements
- Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- 18 or older
- Meets the sponsor character requirements
- Hasn't sponsored more than two partner visa applicants in their lifetime, and at least five years have passed since their last sponsorship (some exceptions apply)
What the Department of Home Affairs looks for
The Department wants to see a real engagement and a real intention to marry. Unlike partner visa applicants who've been living together for years, 300 visa applicants often aren't yet sharing a home, a bank account, or a bed. That changes what the case file looks like - but it doesn't make the evidence test any easier.
A strong Subclass 300 case needs evidence across four areas: how the engagement happened, that the relationship is genuine, that the wedding is actually being planned, and that both of you understand what you're committing to.
The four evidence categories
- The engagement itself. How and when you became engaged - the proposal story, who was there, family reactions, the ring, any announcement.
- A genuine relationship. Communication history, visits, how you've spent time together, shared future plans, travel between your countries.
- Evidence of intention to marry. This can include a Notice of Intended Marriage, communication with a celebrant, or other proof that you're actively planning your wedding - even if arrangements aren't finalised yet.
- Shared commitment. Detailed statements from both partners about the relationship, the wedding, and life after.
You also need evidence you've met in person as adults. A visit counts. So does a proposal trip. Photos with dates, boarding passes, hotel bookings - this is the foundation of the case.
Your complete Subclass 300 application
A Subclass 300 application isn't just a form - it's a legal case that has to convince the Department of Home Affairs your engagement is real. Matilda's immigration lawyers build that case from first consult to final lodgement.
1. Take the eligibility quiz
Answer a few simple questions to find which visa is right for you and whether you're eligible to apply with Matilda.
2. Have a consult with an immigration lawyer
Attend a 20 minute, obligation-free call with one of our case managers.
3. Get your personalised evidence plan
Receive a personalised plan for how to secure your visa, covering evidence requirements, timelines and more.
4. We’ll do the heavy lifting for you
You provide the basic info, then we do the heavy lifting - drafting your relationship statements, building your evidence, creating evidence albums and completing all legal forms.
5. Final review and lodgement
Your application undergoes multiple reviews from our immigration lawyers before being lodged with the Department of Home Affairs.
6. Receive post-lodgement support
We'll keep you updated on your visa processing time and support you with post-lodgement tasks like organising your medical exam and Medicare enrollment.
Get your visa!
Why our clients choose Matilda for their Subclass 300
Immigration lawyers, not migration agents
Partner visas at Matilda are handled by immigration lawyers. They build your case the way they'd build a legal one - because that's what it is.
No visa, no fee
If your Visa Subclass 300 is refused, you don't pay Matilda fee. Our success is tied to yours.
Your full application, built for you
We draft your relationship statement, compile your engagement evidence, and manage every document - so you can focus on the wedding.
Engagement evidence specialists
The 300 visa isn't the 820. Different evidence, different bar. We know what the Department of Home Affairs wants to see in a prospective marriage case.
Complex cases and past refusals
Previous refusals, age gaps, short relationships, long-distance histories - we've handled them. Bring us the hard cases.
Unlimited support through to PR
From your visa 300 application to your 820/801 partner visa to permanent residency - Matilda stays with you the whole way.
Life changing Australian visa success stories
Mitch & Mel
“Massive thanks to Matilda for making this entire process smooth, accessible and easy. We couldn't have done it without you."
Our pricing is always transparent
All prices are inclusive of GST.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to marry after my Subclass 300 visa is granted?
You have 9 months from the date your Subclass 300 visa is granted to legally marry your partner. This is a condition of the visa (condition 8519) and can't normally be extended. Most couples plan the wedding before the visa is granted so the date is locked in - especially if venues and celebrants book out months in advance.
What happens if we don't marry within 9 months?
If you don't marry within the 9-month window, your Subclass 300 visa ceases and you can't apply for an 820/801 partner visa as a married couple. In genuine cases - for example, where a wedding was cancelled for serious reasons - a de facto partner visa pathway may be possible instead. Talk to an immigration lawyer as soon as possible if the wedding won't happen in time.
Can I work in Australia on the Subclass 300 visa?
Yes. Once you enter Australia on your Subclass 300, you have full work rights. You can work full-time, part-time, or casually, with no employer restriction. You can also study - though you'll pay international rates. There's no 8503 "no further stay" condition on the 300.
Can I travel in and out of Australia on the Subclass 300?
Yes. The Subclass 300 is a multiple-entry visa. You can leave Australia and return as many times as you like while the visa is valid. This matters if you need to travel home for the wedding, visit family, or work overseas in the lead-up to the marriage.
Can I apply for the Subclass 300 from inside Australia?
No. You must be outside Australia both when you apply and when the visa is decided. If you're already in Australia on a different visa and want to marry your Australian partner, the onshore Subclass 820/801 partner visa is usually the right pathway instead. A consult can confirm which fits your situation.
What evidence do I need to prove our engagement is genuine?
The Department of Home Affairs wants evidence across four areas: how the engagement happened (the proposal, family awareness, the ring), that the relationship is real and ongoing (communication, visits, shared plans), that the wedding is actually being planned (venue, celebrant, deposits, invitations), and that both partners understand the commitment (detailed personal statements). You'll also need to show you've met in person as adults.
What is the subclass 300 visa interview?
The Department of Home Affairs can request an interview before deciding a Subclass 300 application. Interviews aren't automatic - they're triggered when a case officer wants more detail on the relationship. Questions cover how you met, the engagement, your wedding plans, and your partner's family. A well-prepared case file reduces the chance of being called for interview. If you are called, Matilda prepares you for what to expect.
How long does the Subclass 300 take to process?
Processing times for Subclass 300 applications vary. The Department of Home Affairs publishes current estimates on its website. For decision-ready applications, Matilda's case files typically move faster than the average because evidence is complete at lodgement. For the current official estimate, check the Department of Home Affairs global visa processing times page.
What happens after we're married - do I automatically get the 820?
No - marriage doesn't automatically grant the 820. After the wedding you apply for the Subclass 820/801 onshore partner visa. It's a separate application with its own evidence requirements, focused on the genuine, continuing nature of the married relationship. The 820 visa application has an additional fee; please see our 820 subclass page for more information.
Matilda's unlimited support model means the same lawyer who ran your 300 rolls straight into your 820/801.
Ready to apply for your Subclass 300?
Matilda's immigration lawyers prepare your Prospective Marriage Visa application end-to-end. From building the engagement evidence file to lodging with the Department of Home Affairs - we do the work so you can plan the wedding.
