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Australian Migration — Visa Guide 2025–26

Prospective Marriage Visa
(Subclass 300)

Your partner is overseas. You're planning to marry. Don't apply for the wrong visa — here's everything you need to know about the underused fiancé pathway into Australia.

Offshore Only 9-Month Entry Period Leads to 820/801 Updated 2025–26
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Important: All fees and processing times reflect the 2025–26 financial year. Visa Application Charges are set by the Department of Home Affairs and are subject to annual revision. Always confirm current figures at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging.

Overview

What Is the Subclass 300 Visa?

The Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) — commonly called the fiancé visa or engagement visa — is a temporary Australian visa designed specifically for people who are engaged to an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen and intend to marry in Australia.

Unlike the offshore Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100), you do not need to already be married or in an established de facto relationship. The Subclass 300 recognises that some couples are genuinely committed but have not yet reached that legal threshold — and it provides a lawful, structured pathway to bring them together.

Once granted, the visa allows you to enter Australia, get married, and then transition directly to the onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801) pathway toward permanent residency.

It is an offshore-only visa: you must be outside Australia both when you apply and when the visa is granted.

9
Months to Marry After Entry
9–25
Months Processing Time
$9,365
Base Govt Fee (AUD)
3
Stage Pathway to PR

The SC300 is particularly valuable for couples who haven't yet accumulated 12 months of de facto cohabitation evidence — the threshold typically required for a Partner visa. It's about intent and genuine commitment, not a paper trail of shared bills.

— Registered Migration Agent MARN 2619225

Requirements

Eligibility Criteria

To be granted a Subclass 300 visa, both the applicant and the sponsoring partner must meet a defined set of criteria under the Migration Regulations 1994.

Applicant Requirements

  • ✓Be outside Australia at time of application and at time of grant
  • ✓Be engaged to an eligible sponsor and have a genuine intention to marry
  • ✓Have met the sponsor in person (at least once) and know them personally
  • ✓Be of marriageable age under Australian law (18+, or 16–17 with a court order)
  • ✓Not be closely related to the sponsor by blood, adoption, or marriage
  • ✓Meet health requirements (medical examination via panel physician)
  • ✓Meet character requirements (police clearances from all relevant countries)
  • ✓Not have any outstanding debts to the Australian Government
  • ✓Provide a Notice of Intent to Marry (NOIM)

Sponsor Requirements

  • ✓Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
  • ✓Be aged 18 or older at time of sponsorship approval
  • ✓Not have sponsored another person for a Subclass 300 visa in the past 5 years
  • ✓Not have been sponsored for a partner or prospective marriage visa in the last 5 years
  • ✓Pass character requirements
  • ✓Sponsor must be approved by the Department of Home Affairs before application can be lodged
Note on Sponsorship Limits: A person can only be an approved sponsor for a Subclass 300 twice in total, and not more than once in any 5-year period. Past refused or withdrawn applications may affect eligibility.
Documentation

Genuine Relationship Evidence Required

The Department of Home Affairs assesses whether the couple's relationship is genuine and continuing. Unlike the Partner Visa, where co-habitation and financial integration are key, the SC300 focuses on the sincerity of your intent to marry. Evidence should demonstrate the nature and history of the relationship across four categories:

💑 Social Evidence

  • Photos together across multiple occasions
  • Evidence of meeting in person (flights, hotel bookings)
  • Social media presence as a couple
  • Statements from family and friends who know the relationship
  • Engagement party photos or invitations
  • Acknowledgment from social communities

📬 Communication Evidence

  • Chat logs, emails, and messages over time
  • Phone/video call records
  • Travel history showing visits to each other
  • Written personal statements from each partner
  • Evidence of ongoing contact during separation

💍 Commitment Evidence

  • Engagement ring receipts or photos
  • Notice of Intent to Marry (NOIM) — mandatory
  • Wedding planning evidence (venue bookings, etc.)
  • Correspondence referencing future plans
  • Gifts, cards, or shared mementos

🏡 Financial Evidence

  • Evidence of financial support between partners
  • Joint or named travel bookings
  • Shared savings or planning for future household
  • Sponsor's evidence of financial capacity

📄 Identity Documents

  • Current valid passport (all relevant pages)
  • Birth certificate
  • Divorce decree / death certificate (if previously married)
  • Name change documents (if applicable)
  • National ID or other identity documents

🏥 Health & Character

  • Completed medical examination via approved panel physician
  • Police clearance certificates from each country of 12+ months' residence (last 10 years)
  • Chest X-ray where required
  • Biometrics (fingerprints) if required
Key Difference from Partner Visa: You are not required to prove 12 months of de facto cohabitation. However, you must have met in person at least once, and the relationship must be demonstrably genuine — purely online relationships do not satisfy the legal requirement for the SC300.
The Journey

The 3-Stage Pathway to Permanent Residency

The Subclass 300 is the first step in a three-stage process. Understanding the full pathway is essential for planning your timeline and budget.

Stage 1 — Offshore

Subclass 300 (Prospective Marriage)

Apply from outside Australia. Must be offshore at lodgement and grant. Processing: 9–25 months. Upon grant, you have up to 15 months to enter Australia and must marry within 9 months of the visa grant date (Condition 8519). Multiple entries permitted during the validity period.

Stage 2 — Onshore (after marriage)

Subclass 820 (Temporary Partner)

After marrying, apply onshore for the 820 before your SC300 expires. Reduced fee applies: AUD $1,560 (vs. $9,365 if lodged after SC300 expires). Grants right to live, work, and study in Australia while the permanent stage is assessed. You become a bridging visa holder if you remain after 820 lodgement.

Stage 3 — Permanent Residency

Subclass 801 (Permanent Partner)

Assessed two years after the 820 application is lodged. The relationship must still be genuine and continuing. If granted, you become a permanent resident with full rights to live and work in Australia.

Critical 9-Month Rule

The 9-month window to marry is calculated from the date the visa is granted — not from when you enter Australia. If your visa sits unactivated, the clock is already ticking.

If you fail to marry before the visa expires, it may be cancelled and you may be required to depart Australia. You would then need to apply for a new visa from outside Australia.

Relevant legislation: Condition 8519 — Migration Regulations 1994

Can You Marry Outside Australia?

Yes. Once you have entered Australia on your SC300, you may travel abroad and marry in another country — the marriage will be recognised, provided it is legal under the laws of that country and not prohibited under Australian law. However, you must enter Australia first before marrying.

What If You Marry Before SC300 Is Granted?

If you marry your partner before the SC300 visa is decided, you can request to convert your application to a Subclass 309 (Offshore Partner) visa. This will subject your application to 309 criteria, which may require additional evidence of the relationship.

Financials

Cost Comparison: SC300 vs 309/100

Understanding the full cost is essential. The SC300 pathway involves two separate Visa Application Charges (VAC). Here's a transparent breakdown:

Cost Item SC300 Pathway (300 → 820/801) Offshore Pathway (309/100)
Primary Applicant — Govt VAC $9,365 (SC300) + $1,560 (820) = $10,925 $9,365 (covers 309 + 100)
Additional Applicant (18+) $4,695 per adult (SC300); additional on 820 $4,695
Medical Examination ~$400–$600 per person ~$400–$600 per person
Police Clearances $50–$150 per country $50–$150 per country
Biometrics Varies by country Varies by country
Document Translation ~$50–$200 per document ~$50–$200 per document
Migration Agent Fees $2,000–$5,000+ $2,000–$5,000+
Total Government Fees (indicative) ~$10,925+ ~$9,365
Reduced 820 Fee? Yes — $1,560 if lodged before SC300 expires N/A — 309/100 fee covers both stages
ART Appeal Fee (if refused) AUD $3,580 (from 1 July 2025)
Important: All partner visa fees are non-refundable, even if the application is refused or withdrawn. Do not lodge until your documentation is complete and eligibility confirmed. Fees are reviewed annually on 1 July.
Suitability

Who Is the SC300 For — And Who It Isn't

✓ Ideal For

  • Engaged couples who haven't yet lived together for 12 months
  • Couples who've met in person but are in a long-distance relationship
  • Applicants who cannot demonstrate a de facto relationship under Australian law
  • Those who want to formalise their commitment through marriage in Australia
  • Couples who have a clear wedding date and venue in mind
  • Applicants with strong engagement evidence but limited co-habitation history

✗ Not Suitable For

  • Couples already legally married — apply for SC309/100 instead
  • Applicants already in Australia — SC300 is offshore only
  • De facto couples with 12+ months of evidence — SC309 is more cost-effective
  • Couples who have never met in person — online-only relationships do not qualify
  • People who cannot commit to marrying within 9 months of visa grant
  • Sponsors who have already sponsored a SC300 in the last 5 years
Risk Awareness

Risks If the Relationship Breaks Down

The Subclass 300 is built around a relationship. If circumstances change after lodgement or grant, there are important consequences to understand.

Relationship Ends Before Marriage

If the relationship breaks down after the SC300 is granted but before the marriage takes place, the visa will typically be cancelled. The applicant may be required to depart Australia immediately. No alternative visa is automatically granted.

Non-Refundable Fees

The $9,365+ paid for the SC300 is not refundable if the relationship ends, the visa is cancelled, or the application is withdrawn — regardless of the reason. This financial risk should be factored into your planning.

Family Violence Provisions

Australia's family violence provisions apply from the SC820/801 stage. If the relationship breaks down due to family violence after marriage and the 820 is lodged, the applicant may still be eligible for permanent residency. Seek legal advice immediately in such circumstances.

Health & Character Checks

If the applicant fails health or character requirements at any stage, the application will be refused and fees forfeited. Disclose all relevant history upfront and seek advice on how prior convictions or medical conditions may affect eligibility.

Sponsor Obligations

The Australian sponsor takes on legal responsibility for the applicant. If the sponsor is found to have provided false information or to be engaging in relationship fraud, both parties face serious consequences including visa cancellation and potential criminal liability.

Expired SC300 — Costly Mistake

If you marry but fail to lodge the SC820 before the SC300 expires, you lose the reduced $1,560 fee. You would need to pay the full $9,365 for the 820/801 — and may need to depart Australia first depending on your bridging visa status.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work and study in Australia on a Subclass 300 visa?

Yes. The Subclass 300 visa allows you to work full-time, study, and travel in and out of Australia during the visa validity period. You also have access to Medicare (Australia's public healthcare system) as a temporary visa holder.

Can I visit Australia while my SC300 application is being processed?

You can apply for a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) to visit Australia during processing. However, you must be outside Australia when your SC300 visa is granted — if you are onshore when the visa is ready to be granted, processing will be paused until you depart.

What happens if we don't marry within the 9-month period?

Condition 8519 requires you to marry within nine months of the visa being granted. Failure to do so may result in visa cancellation. You would generally be required to depart Australia and apply for a new visa from outside the country. There is no automatic extension of the 9-month period.

Do I need to get married in Australia?

No. Once you have entered Australia on your SC300, you may marry anywhere in the world — including overseas. The marriage must be legally valid in the country where it takes place and recognised under Australian law. You must have entered Australia on the SC300 prior to the marriage.

Can I include dependent children in the SC300 application?

Yes. Dependent children under 18 can be included as secondary applicants. Children over 18 who are wholly financially dependent on the primary applicant may also be included. Children cannot be added to the application after the visa has been granted.

What is the realistic processing time for SC300 in 2025?

Processing times vary significantly. The Department of Home Affairs publishes global processing times on their website. In 2025–26, realistic timelines range from approximately 12 to 26 months, depending on the completeness of your application, your country of origin, and the Department's caseload. Well-prepared applications with complete documentation tend to process faster.

Can my application be refused and what are my options?

Yes, applications can be refused. Common reasons include insufficient relationship evidence, failure to meet health or character requirements, or the sponsor not being eligible. If refused, you may be able to apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) for a merits review. The ART application fee is AUD $3,580 (from 1 July 2025). Alternatively, you can lodge a new application with stronger evidence.

Don't Apply for the Wrong Visa

The difference between a successful and an unsuccessful partner visa application often comes down to preparation and choosing the right pathway. Our team at Edvise Hub can assess your situation and guide you through every step.

Book a Consultation Explore Edvise Hub

MARN: 2619225  |  QEAC: G12906  |  fahad@edvisehub.com  |  www.edvisehub.com

www.edvisehub.com  |  Melbourne, Australia

This page is for general information only and does not constitute migration legal advice. Migration law is complex and individual circumstances vary. Always consult a Registered Migration Agent (MARN) or Australian legal practitioner before making any visa decisions.

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