Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) lets an engaged partner enter Australia to marry an eligible sponsor, then usually apply for partner visa onshore (subclass 820/801), as Nanak Migration Group, a registered migration agent (MARN 2619467), explains. Couples already married may prefer partner visa offshore (subclass 309/100). See partner and family visas and the partner visa evidence guide when gathering partner visa evidence.
The Prospective Marriage Visa Process
The steps below represent the general pathway from engagement to permanent residence. Timelines and requirements vary — obtain advice from a registered migration agent for your specific circumstances.
Intention to Marry — Evidence and the NOIM
Demonstrating genuine intention to marry — not just an engagement — is central to the subclass 300 assessment. The Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) plays an important role.
Before a marriage can be solemnised in Australia, the couple must give a Notice of Intended Marriage to a registered marriage celebrant. The NOIM must generally be lodged at least one month before the wedding date. The NOIM is a legal requirement under the Marriage Act 1961 (Cth) and is separate from the visa process — but a signed NOIM is strong evidence of genuine intention to marry in the 300 visa application.
Decision-makers assess whether the couple genuinely intends to marry — not merely whether an engagement has been announced. Evidence that can support intention includes: a signed NOIM, a venue booking or deposit, communications discussing wedding plans, invitations or save-the-dates, or engagement announcements to family and friends.
Both parties must know each other personally. There are additional requirements where the couple met through an introduction service — in some circumstances, the sponsor may be required to have met the applicant in person. See the 'Meeting in person' section for more detail.
Being engaged — in the sense of having agreed to marry — is the threshold requirement. But an engagement unsupported by evidence that the relationship is genuine and that a marriage is genuinely planned may not satisfy the decision-maker. The overall genuineness of the relationship is assessed holistically.
Subclass 300 vs 309/100 vs 820/801
Choosing the right visa pathway depends on your relationship status and where you are. This table is a general guide — your specific circumstances may affect which pathway applies.
General guide only. Confirm which pathway applies to your circumstances with a registered migration agent.
Meeting in Person and Knowing Each Other
The 300 visa requires the couple to know each other personally. Online-only relationships generally do not meet this requirement.
A fundamental requirement of the 300 visa — and all partner visa categories — is that the couple must know each other personally. A relationship conducted entirely online, without any in-person meetings, is generally not sufficient. Decision-makers look for evidence that the couple has spent time together in person.
Where the couple met through an introduction or matchmaking service (including online platforms that charge a fee), additional requirements may apply. In some circumstances, the sponsor may be required to have met the applicant in person before the application is lodged. The Department of Home Affairs publishes specific guidance on what additional evidence may be needed in these circumstances.
Evidence that the couple has met in person can include: passport stamps or travel records showing visits, photographs together (with metadata or other context), hotel or accommodation records, communications referencing visits, and statutory declarations from people who have seen the couple together in person.
Evidence should be specific and verifiable. Photographs without context, or communications that do not refer to specific meetings, are weaker evidence than records that can be tied to particular times, places, and events. A coherent narrative supported by documents that independently corroborate each other is generally more persuasive.
What Happens After You Marry
The subclass 300 visa does not lead directly to permanent residence. After the marriage, the couple takes the next step in the partner visa pathway.
After the marriage, the couple should apply for the subclass 820 (temporary) partner visa. This application can be lodged from within Australia while the 300 visa is still valid. The 820 application requires a full partner visa evidence file — including the four pillars of relationship evidence — and cannot simply rely on the existence of the marriage certificate.
After the 820 is granted, the couple must generally wait before applying for the permanent 801 visa. The waiting period is calculated from the date the partner visa application was first lodged — not from the marriage date. A registered migration agent can advise on the current waiting period that applies to your circumstances.
While the 820 application is being processed, the 300 visa holder generally receives a bridging visa that allows them to remain in Australia lawfully. Work rights on the bridging visa are generally available — confirm the specific conditions with a registered migration agent.
Lodging the 820 application promptly after the marriage — and well before the 300 visa expires — is important. If the 300 visa expires before the 820 is lodged, the applicant may not be able to remain in Australia lawfully. Seek advice from a registered migration agent to ensure timing is managed correctly.
Evidence Generally Required
The documents below represent what is generally required. Requirements vary by individual circumstances — confirm the specific documents needed with a registered migration agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
This information is general in nature and does not constitute immigration assistance or legal advice for any individual situation. Requirements including occupation lists, fees and processing criteria change without notice.
Nanak Migration Group Pty Ltd makes no representation that information on this site is complete, current or applicable to your circumstances. Nothing here guarantees, implies or represents any visa outcome, approval likelihood or processing time.
Obtain advice tailored to your situation from a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner. Navpreet Aulakh, MARN 2619467, is registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
Visa criteria, waiting periods, and processing requirements for the subclass 300 are set by legislation and are subject to change. This page does not constitute immigration advice for individual circumstances. Obtain advice from a registered migration agent before lodging.
Information current as at July 2026. Verify all requirements with the Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) before lodging any application.