Offshore Fiancé Visa Pathway
Subclass 300 Visa – Prospective Marriage Visa Australia
Come to Australia, Marry Your Partner, Build Your Future Together
When you are engaged to an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen but you are still living outside Australia, the Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa is the visa built for your situation. It is commonly referred to as the fiancé visa — and that is exactly what it does. It lets you travel to Australia, marry your partner, and then apply to stay permanently through the Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801) pathway.
It is important to understand from the start that this is an offshore visa. You must be outside Australia when you apply, and outside Australia when the visa is granted. Once you arrive in Australia on your Subclass 300, you have nine months to get married. After the wedding, the door to permanent residency opens.
At Migration Republic, our MARA-registered migration agents work with engaged couples at every stage of this process — from the initial relationship evidence strategy right through to permanent residency.
Book Consultation
Visa Overview
What Is the Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa?
The Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa lets you come to Australia to marry your prospective spouse and then apply for permanent residency. It is a temporary visa, valid for a fixed period of nine months from your first entry into Australia.
During those nine months, you must marry your sponsoring partner — the Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who is sponsoring your application. Once you are married, you can apply for the Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801) onshore, which is the pathway to Australian permanent residency.
The Subclass 300 is specifically designed for couples who are genuinely engaged and intending to marry in Australia. It is not a general relationship visa — it is a marriage-specific pathway, and the Department of Home Affairs assesses it as such.
Key Features of the Subclass 300 Visa
- Offshore visa only — must apply and be granted while outside Australia
- Valid for 9 months from first entry into Australia
- Must marry your sponsoring partner within the 9-month validity period
- Full work rights in Australia from the time the visa is granted
- Travel in and out of Australia freely during the visa validity period
- After marriage, apply onshore for the Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801)
- Dependent children can be included in the application
- Reduced Partner Visa application fee applies after marriage
Eligibility Criteria
Who Can Apply for the Subclass 300 Visa?
Eligibility for the Subclass 300 is straightforward in principle, but the relationship evidence requirements are detailed and demanding. The Department wants to see that your engagement is genuine and that you both have a real intention to marry and live together as spouses.
You may be eligible to apply if you:
- Are engaged to an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Are outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is decided
- Have met your partner in person before applying — evidence of face-to-face meetings is a mandatory requirement
- Are at least 18 years of age (as is your sponsoring partner)
- Genuinely intend to marry your sponsor within 9 months of arriving in Australia
- Meet health and character requirements, including medical examinations and police clearances
- Have no relevant visa cancellations or refusals that would affect your eligibility
Visa Advantages
Key Benefits of the Subclass 300 Visa
A Direct Path to Australia for Engaged Couples
If your partner is Australian and you are overseas, the Subclass 300 is the most direct way to come to Australia and start your life together. It does not require you to already be married — it is designed specifically for the engagement stage.
Full Work Rights Immediately
You have full work rights in Australia while holding the Prospective Marriage Visa. You can work for any employer in any occupation. This means you can begin building your life in Australia financially from the moment you arrive — you do not need to wait for another visa stage.
Free Travel In and Out of Australia
Unlike some temporary visas that restrict travel, the Subclass 300 allows you to travel in and out of Australia freely throughout the nine-month validity period.
Significantly Reduced Partner Visa Fee After Marriage
One of the most financially significant benefits of the Subclass 300 pathway is that after you marry and lodge your Partner Visa onshore, as a Subclass 300 holder, you pay a significantly reduced Partner Visa (820/801) fee of approximately $1,560, compared to the standard fee of $9,365. This is a substantial saving.
Clear Pathway to Permanent Residency
The 300 is not a dead-end visa. Once you marry, you apply for the Subclass 820/801 Partner Visa, which leads to Australian permanent residency. The entire journey — from the 300 application to permanent residency — is a clearly defined, established pathway.
Children Can Be Included
You can include dependent children under 18, and children over 18 who are financially dependent. They travel and live with you in Australia throughout the visa period.
Choosing the Right Pathway
Subclass 300 vs Applying Directly for a Partner Visa — Which Is Right for You?
This is one of the most common questions engaged couples ask. The answer depends entirely on your situation.
Choose the Subclass 300 if:
- You are outside Australia and not yet married
- You want to come to Australia first, then marry there
- You are engaged but your de facto relationship has been less than 12 months
- Your partner is overseas, you are engaged but not yet married, and you want them to come to Australia first
Apply directly for a Partner Visa if:
- You are already married
- You have been in a genuine de facto relationship for at least 12 months
- You want to potentially save time by skipping the Subclass 300 step
The right pathway for you depends on your relationship status, where you are located, and your long-term goals. Our team at Migration Republic can assess your specific situation and recommend the most appropriate route.
Relationship Assessment
What the Department Assesses — Relationship Evidence
The Department of Home Affairs does not simply take your word for it that your relationship is genuine. They assess your relationship evidence across four core categories, and they want to see consistent, credible evidence across all of them.
Financial Aspects
Joint accounts, shared financial responsibilities, evidence of supporting each other financially, property or assets held together.
Nature of the Household
Evidence you have lived together or visited each other, utility bills, lease agreements in both names, statutory declarations from people who know you as a couple.
Social Aspects
Photos together with family and friends across different occasions, joint travel records, attendance at events as a couple, recognition of your relationship by your respective communities.
Commitment to the Relationship
Communication history (messages, video calls, emails), evidence of knowledge of each other's lives and families, future plans, a Notice of Intended Marriage or proof that you intend to lodge one.
The depth and consistency of your evidence across all four areas is what determines the strength of your application. Thin or one-sided evidence raises questions that can delay or derail an application.
Sponsor Eligibility
Sponsorship Requirements
Your Australian partner must be approved as a sponsor before your Subclass 300 can be granted. To be an approved sponsor, your partner must:
- Be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Not have sponsored another partner for a Partner Visa or Prospective Marriage Visa in the last 5 years (unless special circumstances apply)
- Not have been granted a Partner Visa or Prospective Marriage Visa themselves in the last 5 years
- Meet character requirements set by the Department
- Have no convictions for relevant offences, including family violence or child abuse
If your sponsor has previously sponsored a partner or been sponsored themselves, waiting periods may apply. This is to prevent sponsorship being used serially.
Government & Professional Fees
Subclass 300 Visa Costs
As of 2025, the base application charge for the Subclass 300 is approximately AUD $8,850. This does not include the cost of health examinations, police clearances, document translations, or professional migration agent fees.
| Fee Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Subclass 300 Visa Application Fee (main applicant) | ~$8,850 * |
| Additional Applicant 18+ | Additional charge applies |
| Additional Applicant Under 18 | Additional charge applies |
| Health Examination (approx, per person) | $350 – $500 |
| Police Clearances | Varies |
| Partner Visa fee after marriage (reduced rate for SC 300 holders) | ~$1,560 * |
| Migration Republic Professional Fee | Contact Us |
Important: Fees are subject to change by the Department of Home Affairs. Confirm current fees at the time of lodgment. Budget for the full cost of the pathway — not just the Subclass 300 fee. You will also pay for the Partner Visa after marriage, though as a Subclass 300 holder you receive the significantly reduced rate noted above.
Timeframes
Subclass 300 Visa Processing Times
Processing times for the Subclass 300 are among the most commonly asked-about topics — and they are significant.
75% of Applications
Processed in around 15–18 months. This is the typical timeframe for a well-prepared, complete application.
90% of Applications
May take up to 20–24 months. In some cases, processing times of 21–28 months are common.
This means you should apply well in advance of your planned wedding date. If you apply and then wait 18–24 months for a decision, and then have only 9 months after arrival to get married, the total timeline from application to marriage can exceed two and a half years. Planning ahead is essential.
Full Visa Journey
The Full Pathway — From Subclass 300 to Permanent Residency
The Subclass 300 is not the end of the journey — it is the beginning of it. Here is what the full pathway looks like from engagement to permanent residency.
Lodge the Subclass 300 Application Offshore
Your Australian partner lodges a sponsorship application, and you lodge the visa application, while you are outside Australia.
Wait for Visa Grant
Processing takes approximately 15–28 months. During this time, you remain outside Australia. A well-prepared, decision-ready application gives you the best chance of avoiding unnecessary delays.
Arrive in Australia on the Subclass 300
You have 9 months from your first entry to get married. You can work and travel freely during this period.
Get Married
Register your marriage in Australia. Keep your marriage certificate and all wedding-related documentation — you will need this for your Partner Visa application.
Lodge the Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801) Onshore
After marriage, apply for the Partner Visa from within Australia at the reduced rate available to Subclass 300 holders. Once you lodge the Partner Visa, you receive a Bridging Visa A, and your Subclass 300 visa ceases.
Subclass 820 Is Granted (Temporary)
This allows you to live, work, and study in Australia while the permanent stage is assessed.
Subclass 801 Is Assessed (Permanent)
Approximately two years after the Partner Visa lodgment date, the Department assesses your permanent stage. If your relationship is genuine and ongoing, the 801 is granted and you become an Australian permanent resident.
Document Checklist
Documents Required for the Subclass 300 Visa
For the Visa Applicant
- Valid passport and identity documents
- Evidence of your genuine relationship across all four categories (financial, household, social, commitment)
- Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) or evidence you plan to lodge one
- Results of a health examination from an approved panel physician
- Police clearances from every country you have lived in for 12 or more cumulative months in the past 10 years
- Certified translations of any documents not in English
- Evidence of having met your partner in person (photos, travel records, communication history)
For the Sponsor (Australian Partner)
- Evidence of Australian citizenship, permanent residence, or eligible New Zealand citizenship
- Identity documents
- Completed sponsorship forms and statutory declarations
Supporting Documents From Others
- Statutory declarations from people who know you both as a couple and can confirm the genuineness of your relationship
- Letters or statements from family members who are aware of your engagement
Getting the evidence right — particularly the relationship evidence — is where applications are won or lost. Thin or one-dimensional evidence is one of the leading causes of delays and refusals.
How We Help
Our Visa Process
Eligibility Assessment and Pathway Advice
We begin by understanding your full situation — your relationship timeline, where you are both located, your partner's sponsorship eligibility, and what your long-term goals are. We then advise on whether the Subclass 300 is the right pathway or whether applying directly for a Partner Visa is more suitable for your circumstances.
Relationship Evidence Strategy
This is where we add the most value. We work with you to identify and organise strong evidence across all four relationship categories. We help you understand what the Department is looking for, and we structure your evidence so it tells a clear, consistent, and convincing story.
Sponsorship and Visa Application Preparation
We prepare your partner's sponsorship application and your visa application together. Every form is completed carefully, every document is reviewed before submission, and the package is lodged complete and decision-ready.
Ongoing Case Management
After lodgment, we monitor your application, update you on progress, and respond promptly to any requests for additional information from the Department.
Post-Marriage Partner Visa Lodgment
After your wedding, we are ready to move immediately on your Partner Visa (820/801) application. We help you gather the post-marriage relationship evidence required, prepare the updated application, and lodge the 820/801 to continue your pathway to permanent residency.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Migration Republic
Why Choose Migration Republic?
The Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa is a relationship visa — and relationship visas are assessed on the quality and authenticity of the evidence you provide. There is no points test, no occupation list, no salary threshold. It comes down to whether the Department believes your relationship is genuine. That is a judgment call — and how you present your case matters enormously.
We have helped many couples build compelling, complete applications for the Subclass 300. We know what makes an application stand up and what makes one fall apart. We know how to prepare evidence that covers all four relationship categories properly, and we know how to respond if the Department raises questions.
Beyond the 300 itself, we stay involved through the Partner Visa stage. The journey to permanent residency spans several years and multiple visa stages — having the same experienced team with you throughout makes a real difference.
Transparent Process
Regular updates at every stage of your application so you always know where things stand.
High Success Rate
Personalised service with a proven track record of successful Prospective Marriage Visa outcomes.
End-to-End Support
Dedicated support from your Subclass 300 application all the way through to your 801 permanent residency grant.
Ready to Apply for Your Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa?
If you are engaged to an Australian partner and ready to start your life together in Australia, the Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa is the pathway that gets you there. It takes careful preparation, strong relationship evidence, and experienced guidance to navigate it well. Our MARA-registered agents at Migration Republic are here to make the process clear, manageable, and as smooth as possible — from your first consultation to the day you receive your permanent residency.
Book Consultation
