Prospective Marriage Visa Australia (Subclass 300): Your Complete 2026 Guide to the Fiance Visa, Eligibility, Application Process and Partner Visa Pathway
The Prospective Marriage Visa subclass 300, commonly referred to as the fiance visa Australia, is a temporary offshore visa that allows the overseas partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to travel to Australia specifically to marry their sponsor before transitioning to the Partner visa subclass 820/801 pathway toward permanent residency. It is one of the most emotionally significant and legally complex visa applications in the Australian migration system, combining relationship evidence requirements, health and character assessments, sponsorship obligations and a tightly sequenced pathway to permanent residency.
Many couples who apply for the subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa underestimate the complexity of the application and the consequences of a poorly prepared or prematurely lodged submission. Processing times in 2026 range from 13 to 27 months, and a refusal at the subclass 300 stage can significantly delay the couple's plans and create downstream complications for the partner visa application.
At CollinsQuarters, our immigration lawyers provide specialist assistance with the Prospective Marriage Visa subclass 300 application, the subsequent partner visa 820/801 application, and all connected legal matters including family law advice, cross-border wills and estates planning, property and conveyancing and investment and market entry including FIRB compliance for foreign investment. Our unique India-Australia cross-border capability makes CollinsQuarters particularly well suited to assist Indian nationals and other international applicants navigating the subclass 300 process. For an overview of all partner and family visa pathways available through CollinsQuarters, visit our migration and global mobility practice page.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the Prospective Marriage Visa subclass 300 in Australia in 2026, including eligibility requirements, the application process, the Notice of Intended Marriage, evidence requirements, processing times and costs, common refusal scenarios, the pathway to permanent residency, connected family law and property advice and the specific considerations for Indian nationals applying from India.
Competitor and Content Gap Analysis: What Most Guides on the Prospective Marriage Visa Subclass 300 Do Not Cover
A review of the leading competitor guides on the Prospective Marriage Visa subclass 300 in Australia reveals that most existing content covers the standard eligibility criteria, basic document checklists and a high-level description of the post-marriage partner visa pathway. However, several areas of significant practical importance for real applicants are consistently missing from competitor content. CollinsQuarters has structured this guide specifically to address those gaps.
The content gaps most commonly found across competitor guides include the specific legal considerations for Indian nationals applying for the subclass 300 visa from India, including the face-to-face meeting requirement in the context of arranged marriage, the validity of Indian marriage ceremonies for Australian law purposes and the Indian property and business implications of marriage to an Australian citizen. Competitors also do not address the sponsor's previous sponsorship restriction in sufficient legal detail, the consequences of not marrying before the subclass 300 expires, the interaction between the subclass 300 and a tourist visa held concurrently, the role of an immigration lawyer as distinct from a migration agent in a subclass 300 matter, the family law implications of marriage on an Australian visa, the cross-border estate planning implications of acquiring Australian immigration status through marriage, or the specific evidentiary requirements for long-distance couples who met through online platforms or through arranged family introductions. For a detailed comparison of immigration lawyers and migration agents, read our guide on immigration attorney vs immigration lawyer in Australia and our guide on how to become a migration agent in Australia.
This guide addresses each of these gaps directly, drawing on CollinsQuarters experience advising clients across Australia and India on the subclass 300 and partner visa process. For city-specific advice from the best immigration lawyer in Melbourne for prospective marriage visa applications or the best immigration lawyer in Sydney for fiance visa applications, visit our city practice pages or book a consultation with CollinsQuarters.
What Is the Prospective Marriage Visa Subclass 300 and Who Is It For
The Prospective Marriage Visa subclass 300 is a temporary visa that allows the overseas fiance of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to travel to Australia to marry their partner within the visa validity period and then apply onshore for the Partner visa subclass 820/801. The visa is offshore only, meaning the application must be lodged from outside Australia and the applicant must be outside Australia at the time the visa is granted.
Once the subclass 300 visa is granted, the holder typically has a specific initial entry date by which they must first enter Australia, and the visa remains valid for 9 to 15 months from the date of grant. During this period the subclass 300 holder is permitted to work and study in Australia without restriction and may travel in and out of Australia freely. The marriage must take place before the subclass 300 visa expires. After the marriage, the holder must lodge the Partner visa subclass 820/801 application before the subclass 300 visa expires to remain lawfully in Australia on a Bridging Visa A while the partner visa is processed.
The subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa is specifically designed for couples who are not yet married and who do not yet meet the 12-month de facto cohabitation requirement for a standard partner visa. Couples who have already been living together as de facto partners for 12 months or more may be better placed to apply directly for the Partner visa subclass 309 (offshore) or subclass 820 (onshore) without going through the subclass 300 pathway. An immigration lawyer at CollinsQuarters can assess which pathway is most appropriate for your specific relationship circumstances and immigration history. Visit our migration and global mobility practice page for more information on all partner and family visa pathways. For a complete overview of immigration legal services available in Australia, read our immigration lawyer Australia complete 2026 guide.
Prospective Marriage Visa Subclass 300 Eligibility Requirements in 2026: What an Immigration Lawyer Checks Before Lodgement
Before lodging a Prospective Marriage Visa subclass 300 application, an immigration lawyer at CollinsQuarters conducts a thorough eligibility assessment covering all criteria applied by the Department of Home Affairs. Understanding each requirement in detail and addressing any complications proactively before lodgement is the single most effective way to avoid delays and refusals.
Age Requirement for the Subclass 300 Fiance Visa
Both the applicant and the sponsor must be at least 18 years of age at the time the application is lodged. Australia does not recognise marriages where either party is under 18 under the Marriage Act 1961, and the Department of Home Affairs will not grant a subclass 300 visa to an applicant who is under 18. An immigration lawyer checks both parties age against their passport dates before advising on the application timing.
Sponsor Eligibility and Sponsorship Restrictions for the Subclass 300 Visa
The sponsor for a subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa must be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen who is at least 18 years of age at the time of sponsorship. The sponsor must be approved by the Department of Home Affairs before the application is assessed. Sponsorship is subject to important restrictions that are frequently overlooked by applicants who do not seek legal advice before lodgement.
A sponsor who has previously sponsored a partner visa or prospective marriage visa applicant is subject to a five-year waiting period before they can sponsor again in most cases. A sponsor who has themselves previously been sponsored as a partner visa applicant is also subject to waiting periods. These restrictions are designed to prevent serial sponsorship and are applied strictly by the Department. An immigration lawyer at CollinsQuarters assesses the sponsor history before recommending a lodgement strategy, and advises on whether any waiting period applies or whether an exception may be available in exceptional circumstances.
The Face-to-Face Meeting Requirement for the Subclass 300 Fiance Visa
One of the most commonly misunderstood eligibility requirements for the subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa is that the applicant and the sponsor must have met in person as adults before the application is lodged. This requirement means that couples who have only communicated online and have never physically met are not eligible to apply for the subclass 300 visa, regardless of the sincerity of their relationship or their intention to marry.
For Indian applicants whose relationship developed through arranged marriage channels facilitated by their families, the face-to-face meeting requirement is typically satisfied through a formal family meeting or engagement ceremony at which both parties were physically present. An immigration lawyer at CollinsQuarters advises Indian and other applicants on what evidence is required to document the face-to-face meeting and how to present the meeting in the context of an arranged marriage cultural framework in a way that the Department of Home Affairs case officer will find credible and compelling. Our India-Australia cross-border advisory service has extensive experience with this specific evidentiary challenge.
Genuine Intention to Marry Requirement for the Subclass 300 Visa
The applicant and sponsor must demonstrate to the Department of Home Affairs that they genuinely intend to marry each other before the subclass 300 visa expires and that they genuinely intend to live together as a married couple after the wedding. Evidence of genuine intention to marry includes a Notice of Intended Marriage lodged with an authorised marriage celebrant in Australia, documentation of wedding preparations such as venue bookings, wedding planner correspondence, catering bookings and invitation lists, photographs of the couple together, communication records, travel records evidencing in-person visits and statements from family members and mutual friends who know the couple as a couple.
The Notice of Intended Marriage, commonly referred to as a NOIM, is a legal document that must be lodged with an authorised marriage celebrant in Australia at least one month and no more than 18 months before the proposed wedding date. While the NOIM does not need to be lodged before the subclass 300 visa application is submitted, having a NOIM already lodged at the time of application is strong evidence of genuine intention to marry and can assist in demonstrating the seriousness of the couple relationship to the Department. For information on the NOIM requirement and authorised celebrants, the Australian Attorney-General's Department provides authoritative guidance at ag.gov.au.
No Legal Impediment to Marriage Under Australian Law
There must be no legal impediment to the marriage taking place under Australian law. Legal impediments include a prior marriage that has not been legally dissolved, a prohibited degree of relationship between the parties under the Marriage Act 1961, either party being under 18 years of age, and any other circumstance that would render the proposed marriage void under Australian law. For applicants from countries where polygamous marriages are legally recognised, the subclass 300 visa will not be granted if either party is already legally married to another person in that country, even if the prior marriage has not been formally dissolved under that country's legal system. An immigration lawyer at CollinsQuarters assesses whether any prior relationship history creates a legal impediment before lodgement and advises on the steps needed to resolve any impediment. Where a prior relationship involved Australian family law proceedings such as a divorce or property settlement, our family law practice works alongside the immigration team to ensure all prior proceedings are resolved before lodgement.
Health and Character Requirements for the Subclass 300 Fiance Visa
The applicant must meet the health and character requirements of the Department of Home Affairs. Health requirements are assessed through an immigration medical examination conducted by a panel physician approved by the Department. Character requirements are assessed through police clearance certificates from Australia and from every country in which the applicant has lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
For Indian applicants, a police clearance certificate from the relevant Indian state police authority or from the Passport Seva Kendra is typically required. Indian applicants should be aware that obtaining Indian police clearance certificates can take several weeks and should be initiated early in the application preparation process. An immigration lawyer at CollinsQuarters advises Indian applicants on the specific character documentation requirements for their home state and ensures all certificates are obtained and certified correctly before lodgement.
Prospective Marriage Visa Subclass 300 Application Process: Step by Step in 2026
The Prospective Marriage Visa subclass 300 application process in 2026 involves the following steps, which an immigration lawyer at CollinsQuarters manages on behalf of the applicant and sponsor from start to finish.
Step One: Eligibility Assessment and Strategy
The first step is an eligibility assessment conducted by an immigration lawyer at CollinsQuarters covering all subclass 300 criteria, the sponsor history, the relationship history and any complicating factors. This assessment determines whether the subclass 300 is the most appropriate visa pathway or whether a direct partner visa application would be more suitable, and identifies any issues that need to be addressed before lodgement. Book your eligibility assessment through our CollinsQuarters consultation service. For information on what to expect from an initial immigration consultation, read our immigration lawyer free consultation guide.
Step Two: Sponsor Approval Application
The sponsor must lodge a sponsorship application with the Department of Home Affairs before the primary subclass 300 visa application is assessed. The sponsorship application is submitted through ImmiAccount and requires the sponsor to provide identity documents, evidence of their Australian citizenship or permanent residence status, a declaration of their relationship to the applicant and disclosure of any prior sponsorship history. An immigration lawyer at CollinsQuarters prepares the sponsorship application in coordination with the primary visa application to ensure both are lodged correctly and consistently.
Step Three: Document Preparation and Evidence Compilation
The applicant must compile and certify all required documents including a valid passport, police clearance certificates, completed health examination results, relationship evidence, evidence of face-to-face meetings, wedding preparation evidence and a statutory declaration from both parties confirming the genuine intention to marry. All documents in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified translation prepared by a National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters accredited translator.
For Indian applicants, documents commonly required include a birth certificate, passport, Indian police clearance certificate, photographs of in-person meetings and any engagement ceremony, communication records and statements from family members who introduced or chaperoned the couple. An immigration lawyer at CollinsQuarters reviews all documents for completeness, correct certification and consistency with the statements made in the application before lodgement.
Step Four: Application Lodgement Through ImmiAccount
The subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa application is lodged online through the Department of Home Affairs ImmiAccount portal. The application fee of AUD 7,850 for the primary applicant is payable at lodgement. For the most current fee schedule, always verify on the official Department of Home Affairs subclass 300 visa page before lodging.
Step Five: Health Examination
After lodgement, the applicant will be requested to complete an immigration medical examination at an approved panel physician. Health examinations must be completed at a Department-approved panel physician and results are submitted directly to the Department through the eHealth system. An immigration lawyer at CollinsQuarters advises on the approved panel physicians available in the applicant country of residence and on the documents required for the health examination appointment.
Step Six: Responding to Requests for Further Information
After lodgement, the Department of Home Affairs may issue a request for further information or evidence at any point during processing. Responding to a request for further information promptly and comprehensively is critical to avoiding further delays. An immigration lawyer at CollinsQuarters monitors the ImmiAccount portal on behalf of the applicant and prepares detailed and legally sound responses to any requests for further information issued by the Department.
Step Seven: Visa Grant and Entry to Australia
Once the subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa is granted, the applicant must enter Australia by the initial entry date specified in the visa grant letter. After entering Australia, the visa holder must marry their sponsor before the visa expires. The marriage must be legally valid under Australian law. The marriage does not technically have to take place in Australia, but most applicants marry in Australia because it simplifies the subsequent partner visa lodgement. After the marriage, the holder should lodge the Partner visa subclass 820/801 as soon as possible to secure their ongoing right to remain in Australia through a Bridging Visa A.
Prospective Marriage Visa Subclass 300 and the India Australia Context: Specific Legal Considerations for Indian Applicants
Indian nationals represent one of the largest and fastest-growing groups applying for the Prospective Marriage Visa subclass 300 each year. The India-Australia relationship context creates specific legal considerations for subclass 300 applicants from India that are not addressed in most competitor guides and that require an immigration lawyer with genuine cross-border expertise to navigate effectively.
Arranged Marriage and the Face-to-Face Meeting Requirement
A significant proportion of subclass 300 applications involving Indian nationals arise from arranged marriages facilitated by families rather than from independent romantic relationships. The face-to-face meeting requirement is satisfied in these cases through a formal family introduction or engagement ceremony, but the evidence required to demonstrate this meeting to the Department of Home Affairs may differ from the evidence typically submitted by couples who met independently. An immigration lawyer at CollinsQuarters advises Indian applicants on how to document an arranged marriage meeting, including engagement ceremony photographs, statements from the family members who facilitated the introduction and any cultural evidence relevant to the betrothal arrangement.
Indian Marriage Ceremony and Australian Legal Validity
Some Indian applicants whose subclass 300 visa is granted choose to marry in India before entering Australia, or to conduct both an Indian religious ceremony in India and a legally registered civil ceremony in Australia. For the purpose of the subsequent Partner visa subclass 820/801 application, only a marriage that is legally valid under Australian law will be recognised by the Department of Home Affairs. A marriage conducted in India must have been legally valid under Indian law at the time it was conducted and must not be otherwise invalid under Australian law for the Department to recognise it.
An immigration lawyer at CollinsQuarters advises Indian applicants and their Australian sponsors on the steps required to ensure that an Indian marriage ceremony is recognised under Australian law for immigration purposes, including obtaining an official marriage certificate from the relevant Indian registration authority and having it authenticated for use in Australia. Our Delhi India-Australia cross-border advisory service and our Mumbai India-Australia cross-border advisory service assist Indian applicants with this specific dimension of the subclass 300 and partner visa process.
Indian Property and Business Interests After Marriage to an Australian Citizen
Indian nationals who marry Australian citizens and subsequently acquire Australian permanent residency or citizenship face cross-border legal implications for their Indian property, business interests and inheritance rights that are not covered by any competitor guide on the subclass 300 visa. These implications include the effect of marriage on the ownership of Indian property, the requirement to notify Indian financial institutions of a change in residential status, restrictions on certain categories of Indian property ownership for non-resident Indians, and the implications for Indian succession and inheritance under the Hindu Succession Act or other applicable Indian personal law.
CollinsQuarters India practice, operating through offices in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune, provides specialist advice on the Indian legal implications of marriage to an Australian citizen and subsequent Australian migration in coordination with our Australian immigration team. Our Bangalore tech and IP lawyer service also advises Indian technology professionals on the IP and business implications of their change in residential status following the Australian visa and marriage process. For Indian applicants considering property purchases in Australia following their arrival, our guide on advantage property lawyers in Australia provides comprehensive property acquisition guidance for foreign buyers. For Indian service providers considering Australia under the trade agreement mobility provisions, read our guide on the ECTA implications for Indian service providers in Australia.
What Happens If You Do Not Marry Before the Prospective Marriage Visa Subclass 300 Expires
One of the most important and least discussed aspects of the subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa is what happens if the holder does not marry their sponsor before the visa expires. This is a content gap in virtually every competitor guide and it is a scenario that affects a meaningful number of applicants each year due to unforeseen circumstances including relationship difficulties, family opposition, wedding planning complications and medical issues.
If the subclass 300 visa expires without the holder having married their sponsor, the holder has no right to remain in Australia and must depart. There is no mechanism to extend the subclass 300 visa or to convert it to another visa subclass if the marriage has not taken place. The holder would need to depart Australia and could potentially re-apply for a new subclass 300 visa from outside Australia if the relationship and genuine intention to marry remain intact, subject to payment of the full application fee again and subject to a fresh assessment of all eligibility criteria.
Where the failure to marry arises from circumstances beyond the couple control, such as a medical emergency or a natural disaster, an application for ministerial intervention may be available in exceptional cases, but this is a discretionary process with no guaranteed outcome. An immigration lawyer at CollinsQuarters can advise on the options available if a subclass 300 visa is approaching expiry without the marriage having taken place. The best course of action is always to plan the wedding well within the visa validity period to avoid any risk of expiry before the marriage. Our dispute resolution practice assists in exceptional circumstances applications where the usual visa pathway has been disrupted.
The Subclass 300 Fiance Visa and a Concurrent Tourist Visa: Understanding the Risks
Many subclass 300 applicants are unaware that they can apply for and hold a visitor visa subclass 600 to travel to Australia to visit their sponsor while their subclass 300 application is being processed. However, holding a tourist visa while a subclass 300 application is pending carries specific risks that an immigration lawyer is best placed to advise on.
An applicant who enters Australia on a tourist visa while their subclass 300 application is pending must depart Australia before the subclass 300 visa is granted, because the subclass 300 can only be granted while the applicant is outside Australia. If the subclass 300 is granted while the applicant is in Australia on a tourist visa, the grant will not be effective and the applicant will need to depart and re-enter on the subclass 300 visa before it can activate. Frequent short-term entries to Australia on tourist visas during the subclass 300 processing period may also be scrutinised by the Department as part of the overall assessment of the application and could in some circumstances create an impression of seeking to remain in Australia unlawfully, even where that is not the intention.
An immigration lawyer at CollinsQuarters advises subclass 300 applicants on whether and how to plan tourist visa visits to Australia during the processing period in a way that does not compromise the primary subclass 300 application. For city-specific advice on this issue, contact the best immigration lawyers in Perth for prospective marriage visa advice, the best immigration lawyer in Brisbane for fiance visa advice or the best immigration lawyer in Adelaide for subclass 300 applications. For further reading on the difference between the advice an immigration lawyer and a migration agent can provide in complex matters like this, read our guide on immigration lawyer attorney client privilege in Australia.
Prospective Marriage Visa Subclass 300 Processing Time and Cost in Australia 2026
Understanding the realistic processing time and total cost of the subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa application is essential for couples who need to plan their wedding date, travel arrangements and post-marriage partner visa lodgement.
Based on current Department of Home Affairs processing data in 2026, approximately 75 percent of subclass 300 applications are decided within 26 months and some applicants have reported processing times of 21 to 28 months for complex cases. The significant processing time means that couples should plan their engagement and wedding timeline with a 24 to 30 month window from the date of lodgement to the date of the expected wedding in mind. Lodging a decision-ready application is the most reliable way to avoid further delays through requests for additional information.
The current Department of Home Affairs application fee for the subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa is AUD 7,850 for the primary applicant, with additional fees of AUD 855 per additional applicant over 18 and AUD 430 per additional applicant under 18. The subsequent partner visa subclass 820/801 attracts a separate and full application fee that is charged again at the partner visa lodgement stage. Always verify the current fee amounts on the official Department of Home Affairs website before lodgement as fees are updated periodically.
In addition to the government application fee, legal fees charged by an immigration lawyer for preparing and lodging the subclass 300 application vary depending on the complexity of the matter and the scope of services required. CollinsQuarters provides a transparent fee estimate at the initial consultation stage before any engagement is confirmed. To understand the total cost of your subclass 300 application with CollinsQuarters legal representation, book a consultation today.
From Prospective Marriage Visa to Permanent Residency: The Complete Pathway Through Partner Visa Subclass 820 and 801
The subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa is the first step in a multi-stage immigration pathway that leads, through marriage and the partner visa framework, to permanent residency in Australia. Understanding the complete pathway from the outset allows couples to plan each stage effectively and avoid the gaps and delays that commonly occur when each stage is managed reactively rather than strategically.
After entering Australia on the subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa and marrying the sponsor in a legally valid marriage under Australian law, the subclass 300 holder must lodge the Partner visa subclass 820 (temporary onshore) and subclass 801 (permanent onshore) application before the subclass 300 visa expires. The subclass 820 and 801 are lodged together as a combined application. Upon lodgement, a Bridging Visa A is granted automatically, allowing the holder to remain lawfully in Australia while the partner visa is processed. The subclass 300 visa ceases when the Bridging Visa A is granted.
The subclass 820 temporary partner visa is typically granted first, following an assessment of the relationship at the time of lodgement. After a period of at least two years from the date the subclass 820/801 application was first lodged, the permanent subclass 801 partner visa stage is assessed. At the permanent stage, the couple must demonstrate that the relationship is genuine and continuing and that they are still living together or, if temporarily separated, that the separation is for legitimate reasons.
For couples in which one partner subsequently wishes to apply for Australian citizenship following the grant of the subclass 801 permanent partner visa, the four-year lawful residence requirement for citizenship by conferral begins from the date the applicant first held a visa allowing lawful residence. The subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa counts toward the four-year residence period for citizenship purposes, provided the holder was physically present in Australia during that time within the permitted absence limits.
CollinsQuarters immigration lawyers provide end-to-end advice on the complete pathway from subclass 300 through to partner visa permanent residency and Australian citizenship, through our migration and global mobility practice. For a comprehensive overview of all immigration pathways including the partner visa framework, read our immigration solutions lawyers guide and our immigration lawyer Australia Melbourne guide. For city-specific advice on the complete pathway, contact the best immigration lawyer on the Gold Coast for partner visa pathway advice, the best immigration lawyer in Canberra for subclass 300 and partner visa advice or the best immigration lawyer in Hobart for prospective marriage visa applications.
Family Law, Wills and Property Advice for Prospective Marriage Visa Applicants
The subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa marks the beginning of a new legal relationship between two people from different countries. This new relationship has significant legal implications beyond the immigration context that most immigration firms and migration agents do not advise on, and that CollinsQuarters is specifically structured to address through its integrated practice.
For couples in which one party is a recent arrival to Australia on a subclass 300 visa, the Australian family law framework applies to the marriage from the moment it takes place. This includes the Family Law Act 1975 framework for property settlement, spousal maintenance and parenting arrangements in the event of a relationship breakdown. For couples with assets in both Australia and overseas, including real property, business interests and superannuation, the interaction between Australian family law and the law of the overseas country is an important consideration that a specialist family lawyer can advise on before the marriage takes place.
CollinsQuarters provides family law advice for couples navigating the subclass 300 and partner visa pathway through our city-specific family law teams including the best family lawyer in Melbourne, the best family lawyer in Sydney, the best family lawyer in Perth and the best family lawyer in Brisbane. For family law guidance in the Parramatta and Western Sydney area, read our guide on family law lawyers in Parramatta.
For subclass 300 applicants and sponsors purchasing property in Australia, either before or after the marriage, CollinsQuarters provides property and conveyancing services and FIRB compliance advice for foreign nationals purchasing Australian real estate through our investment and market entry practice and our city-specific property law teams including the best property lawyer in Melbourne, the best property lawyer in Sydney and the best property lawyer in Perth. Foreign nationals on temporary visas including the subclass 300 who wish to purchase property in Australia will generally require FIRB approval. Our Melbourne FIRB lawyer, Sydney FIRB lawyer and Perth FIRB lawyer teams manage the FIRB application process for foreign buyers in coordination with the property conveyancing team.
For couples who need to update their wills and estate plans to reflect a new marriage, the acquisition of Australian immigration status and the cross-border nature of their combined assets, CollinsQuarters provides wills and estates planning services through our city-specific wills and estates teams including the best wills and estates lawyer in Melbourne, the best wills and estates lawyer in Sydney and the best wills and estates lawyer in Perth. A marriage in Australia generally revokes any prior will made by either party, making it essential to prepare a new will before or immediately after the marriage ceremony.
Immigration Lawyers for Prospective Marriage Visa Applications Across All Australian Cities
CollinsQuarters provides immigration lawyer services for Prospective Marriage Visa subclass 300 applications across all major Australian cities and regions. Whether the sponsor is based in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, Canberra, Hobart, Darwin or any other Australian location, our immigration lawyers can assist with the subclass 300 and subsequent partner visa application by phone, video or in person.
You can access subclass 300 and partner visa immigration advice from an immigration lawyer in the sponsor city through the following CollinsQuarters immigration pages:
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For city-specific immigration blog guides, read our immigration lawyer Gold Coast guide, our immigration lawyer Parramatta NSW guide, our immigration lawyer Darwin guide and our best immigration lawyer Brisbane guide.
For a complete overview of our national Australian practice, visit our Australia practice page and our Australia overview page.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Prospective Marriage Visa Subclass 300 in Australia
What is the Prospective Marriage Visa subclass 300 in Australia
The Prospective Marriage Visa subclass 300, also known as the fiance visa Australia, is a temporary offshore visa that allows the overseas fiance of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to travel to Australia to marry their partner and then apply onshore for the Partner visa subclass 820/801. The visa is valid for 9 to 15 months from the date of grant and allows the holder to work, study and travel in and out of Australia. The application must be lodged from outside Australia and the applicant must be outside Australia at the time of visa grant. For personalised advice on your subclass 300 application, contact the best immigration lawyer in Melbourne for prospective marriage visa applications or book a consultation with CollinsQuarters.
What are the eligibility requirements for the Prospective Marriage Visa subclass 300
To be eligible for the subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa, you must be at least 18 years of age, be outside Australia at the time of application and at the time of visa grant, have an eligible Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen sponsor, have met your sponsor in person as adults before applying, genuinely intend to marry your sponsor before the visa expires, have no legal impediment to the marriage under Australian law, and meet the health and character requirements of the Department of Home Affairs. An immigration lawyer at CollinsQuarters conducts a full eligibility assessment before advising on lodgement. Visit our migration and global mobility practice page for more information on partner and family visa pathways.
How long does the Prospective Marriage Visa subclass 300 take to process in 2026
Processing times for the subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa in 2026 range from approximately 13 to 27 months for the majority of applications. Roughly 75 percent of applications are decided within 26 months. Lodging a decision-ready application prepared by an immigration lawyer is the most effective way to reduce avoidable processing delays. For current processing time data, always verify on the official Department of Home Affairs subclass 300 visa page. The best immigration lawyer in Sydney for fiance visa applications and the best immigration lawyers in Perth for prospective marriage visa applications at CollinsQuarters can advise on realistic timelines for your specific circumstances.
What happens after I marry on a Prospective Marriage Visa in Australia
After marrying your Australian sponsor on a subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa, you must lodge the Partner visa subclass 820 temporary and subclass 801 permanent application before your subclass 300 expires. Upon lodging, you receive a Bridging Visa A allowing you to stay lawfully in Australia during processing. The subclass 820 temporary partner visa is granted first after relationship assessment, followed by the permanent subclass 801 after the two-year waiting period from lodgement. CollinsQuarters immigration lawyers manage the complete pathway from subclass 300 through to permanent partner visa and citizenship through our migration and global mobility practice. For advice on the full pathway, contact the best immigration lawyer in Brisbane for partner visa pathway advice or book a consultation.
What is the cost of the Prospective Marriage Visa subclass 300 in Australia
The Department of Home Affairs application fee for the subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa is currently AUD 7,850 for the primary applicant, with additional fees per additional applicant. The subsequent partner visa subclass 820/801 attracts a separate full application fee at lodgement. These government fees are payable to the Department of Home Affairs and are separate from immigration lawyer fees charged by CollinsQuarters for preparing and managing the application. Always verify the current fee amounts on the official Department of Home Affairs website before lodging. For a transparent legal fee estimate, book a consultation with CollinsQuarters.
Can Indian nationals apply for the Prospective Marriage Visa subclass 300 to marry in Australia
Yes. Indian nationals are one of the largest groups applying for the subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa each year. CollinsQuarters provides specialist advice for Indian applicants through its dedicated India practice in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune, coordinated with our Australian immigration team. Our India-Australia cross-border advisory service addresses the specific considerations for Indian applicants including the face-to-face meeting requirement in arranged marriage contexts, Indian marriage certificate validity for Australian law, Indian property and business implications and dual citizenship implications following Australian permanent residency. Visit our India practice page for more information.
Speak With a CollinsQuarters Immigration Lawyer About Your Prospective Marriage Visa Subclass 300 Today
The Prospective Marriage Visa subclass 300 is the beginning of one of the most significant journeys a couple can take together. Getting the application right from the outset, with the support of a qualified immigration lawyer who understands both the Australian immigration framework and the cross-border legal context of your specific situation, gives you the best possible foundation for a smooth and successful outcome.
CollinsQuarters provides prospective marriage visa subclass 300 and partner visa services across Australia within an integrated legal practice that covers migration and global mobility, family law, wills and estates, property and conveyancing, dispute resolution and ART appeals, investment and market entry including FIRB and foreign investment compliance, corporate and commercial law and employer sponsorship. Our India-Australia cross-border capability, delivered through six India offices and our full Australian practice network, means that Indian nationals and other international applicants have a single integrated legal team managing every aspect of their subclass 300 and partner visa journey.
Our immigration lawyers are available across all Australian cities including the best immigration lawyer in Melbourne, the best immigration lawyer in Sydney, the best immigration lawyer in Brisbane, the best immigration lawyers in Perth, the best immigration lawyer in Adelaide, the best immigration lawyer on the Gold Coast, the best immigration lawyer in Canberra, the best immigration lawyer in Hobart and the best immigration lawyer in Darwin.
To explore our full range of immigration and legal services, visit our expertise overview, our sectors page, our team page, our immigration and legal blog and our legal insights page. You can also explore our office locations across Australia and India, learn about our firm background and approach and join our legal community groups for ongoing updates on immigration, family law and property law developments across Australia. For further reading, explore our immigration lawyer Australia complete 2026 guide, our immigration solutions lawyers guide, our immigration attorney vs immigration lawyer guide, our attorney client privilege guide and our 461 visa immigration lawyer Australia guide.
To speak with a CollinsQuarters immigration lawyer about your Prospective Marriage Visa subclass 300 application, book a consultation through our website or contact us through our contact page. Our team will assess your eligibility, explain the complete subclass 300 to partner visa pathway and outline a clear and transparent legal strategy for your journey to Australia and permanent residency.
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