Couples planning a future together often face the challenge of long-distance separation throughout the immigration process.
The Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa offers a pathway for engaged couples to reunite and begin building their life in Australia.
This visa allows the applicant to enter Australia to marry their Australian partner within nine months of the visa being granted, after which they can apply for an onshore Partner Visa to continue towards Permanent Residence together.
Arrange a Partner Visa Consultation with Interstaff’s Registered Migration Agents to discuss your options.
Subclass 300 Partner Visa Features
The applicant must be outside Australia when applying for the Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa and at the time it is granted.
The Prospective Marriage Visa is available to those in a genuine and ongoing relationship with an eligible partner sponsor – an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who they intend to marry within the visa’s validity period.
The Prospective Marriage Visa process involves:
- Subclass 300: Temporary visa allowing the holder to enter Australia, marry their sponsor, and prepare for the next application stage.
- Subclass 820: Onshore Partner Visa application submitted after marriage, providing temporary residence.
- Subclass 801: Permanent Residence Visa granted several years after the 820 Partner Visa is approved, provided the relationship continues to meet eligibility criteria.
Permanent Residence provides access to Medicare, social services, and eventually eligibility for Australian citizenship.
Dependent children can be included in the application.
Arrange a partner visa consultation with Interstaff’s registered migration agents.
Comparing Partner Visa Options
To assist couples with understanding key considerations between the three Partner Visa options, Interstaff has prepared a comparative analysis based on our experience.
300 Prospective Marriage Visa (Offshore)
Suitable For:
Couples planning to marry in Australia
Relationship Type:
Engaged to be married to eligible partner sponsor
Applicant Location:
Outside Australia when applying
Visa Stages:
300 (Temporary) → 820 (Onshore Partner Visa) → 801 (Permanent)
Time to Permanent Residence:
Longer overall (3-stage process)
Bridging Visa Access:
Not available; lodged while offshore
Cost:
Higher overall (separate government fees for 300 and later 820/801)
Key Considerations:
Must marry within 300 Visa validity (generally 9 to 15 months)
A longer pathway to PR and higher overall cost
309/100 Visa
(Offshore)
Suitable For:
Couples living apart or unable to enter Australia
Relationship Type:
Engaged, married or de-facto with eligible partner sponsor
Applicant Location:
Outside Australia when applying
Visa Stages:
309 (Temporary) → 100 (Permanent)
Time to Permanent Residence:
Generally 2-4 years
Bridging Visa Access:
Not available; lodged while offshore
Cost:
Single government fee for combined 309/100 application per applicant
Key Considerations:
Prolonged separation at times of extended processing
Read more
Cannot travel to Australia until visa is granted without the grant of another type of visa (e.g. Visitor Visa).
820/801 Visa
(Onshore)
Suitable For:
Couples living together in Australia or visiting on another visa
Relationship Type:
Married or de-facto with eligible partner sponsor
Applicant Location:
Outside Australia when applying
Visa Stages:
820 (Temporary) → 801 (Permanent)
Time to Permanent Residence:
Generally 2-4 years
Bridging Visa Access:
Can apply for Bridging Visa A to remain with partner while 820 Visa is processing – this may provide work and study rights
Cost:
Single government fee for combined 309/100 application per applicant
Key Considerations:
Couples can generally remain together during visa processing
Read more
Complexities arise where the applicant does not hold a valid visa at the time of submitting an
Talk our migration agents to discuss the impact of applying onshore or offshore.
Subclass 300 Visa Evidence
Partner Visas require careful preparation and precise documentation – costs are high, visa processing times can be long and errors can cost money, time and heartache.
Interstaff works with couples to ensure applications are accurate, timely, and compliant with Home Affairs requirements.
Our approach is structured yet considerate, helping applicants feel confident that every requirement has been addressed with care and attention.
Here’s how we assist with the 300 Prospective Marriage Partner Visa process.
STEP 1
Assess and Strategise:
Prospective Partner Visa Strategy
- We assess whether your relationship meets the eligibility criteria for a Partner Visa.
- We advise whether you can pursue the 300 Prospective Marriage, 309/100 (Offshore) or 820/801 (Onshore) visa pathway based on current location, visa and relationship status, and long-term goals.
- We prepare a visa strategy that evaluates potential risks such as visa expiry dates, travel restrictions, or gaps in documentation that could affect eligibility or processing.
STEP 2
Apply and Comply:
Visa Management
- We manage the application process through to lodgement and liaise with Home Affairs on your behalf.
- We advise on how to structure your application for maximum clarity and impact, including evidence across key relationship aspects.
- We provide clear guidance on what evidence to provide based on your unique circumstances, how timelines are likely to unfold, and what to expect once the application is underway.
- We deliver tailored advice if circumstances change (such as travel plans, visa status or relationship dynamics) or if any questions arise.
- We provide the oversight and expertise needed to keep a Prospective Marriage Visa Subclass 300 application on track, while remaining available whenever clarity or reassurance is required.
STEP 3
Settle and Thrive: Future Planning
- We assist with future immigration pathways beyond your Prospective Spouse Visa, such as Australian Citizenship.
- We advise on visa options for family members.
- We stay up to date with policy changes and advise clients on how these may impact their long-term migration goals.
Experience and Insights
Prospective Marriage Visa Subclass 300
Explore more about how we work, our industry experience and insights.
Partner Visa Issue Resolution
