Who this may suit
Engaged couples considering entry to Australia before marriage, where the prospective spouse is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Key considerations
- Subclass 300 is a temporary visa for a genuine intention to marry the sponsoring prospective spouse. It is separate from the combined Partner visa pathways.
- You must apply from outside Australia and meet the personal-meeting requirement. An online relationship or a wedding booking alone is not enough.
- Current rules allow a 300 grant in or outside Australia. That does not remove the offshore application requirement or the need for a valid visa for any visit.
- Marriage does not automatically produce permanent residence. Couples intending to settle must plan the subsequent Partner application and its evidence.
Choosing between engagement and Partner pathways
The 300 is worth considering when you intend to marry but are not applying on an existing marriage or qualifying de facto relationship. Couples who are already spouses or de facto partners should compare the relevant Partner pathway instead of assuming the engagement route is necessary.
Applicants must be at least 18. You and your prospective spouse must have met in person as adults and know one another personally. Be ready to explain the relationship, the intention to marry and your plans for a shared life.
Compare 820/801, 309/100 and 300 pathways →
Prepare for the whole sequence
Think beyond the first grant. Your plan should cover the 300 application, entry and marriage arrangements, and the later 820/801 application if you intend to settle. Keep a shared checklist of the dates that depend on the visa decision and those you can prepare in advance.
Once granted, check the actual visa expiry, entry instructions and marriage-related conditions. The permitted period is set by the grant; do not assume an engagement ceremony or a changed wedding date extends it. If settlement is your goal, Home Affairs advises applying for the Partner visas after marriage and before the 300 expires.
The later Partner pathway normally moves from temporary subclass 820 to permanent subclass 801, with a further assessment and updated evidence. Start preserving evidence of your married life, household and commitments so that the next stage is not a last-minute document exercise.
Documents that explain your plans
Present a straightforward history of meeting, contact, visits and engagement. Link your account to dated records and explain arrangements that might otherwise be unclear. Witness statements should reflect personal knowledge of your relationship.
Treat the following as a starting point for discussion, rather than a complete checklist. Your circumstances and Home Affairs requests determine what is needed.
- Identity and civil records, including relevant evidence about previous marriages or relationships.
- Evidence of meeting in person and how you have maintained the relationship.
- Genuine marriage plans, including relevant celebrant or ceremony arrangements.
- The sponsor’s qualifying status and sponsorship material.
- Documents for children, relevant health and character checks, and English translations.
Prepare your evidence with the Partner visa checklist →
Prepare a clear prospective marriage relationship statement →
Sponsorship and children need their own plan
Review the prospective spouse’s previous sponsorships and migration history early. Partner sponsorship restrictions can apply to this pathway too. Relevant criminal-history checks, disclosure requirements and protections for children are not replaced by proof of engagement.
Eligible children may be able to be included, but their family-unit status and other requirements must be checked. Discuss dependency, the other parent’s consent and any custody orders before making travel plans. Adding a child later can affect the application process and cost.
Plan the children’s later Partner stage at the same time as your own. For current or former 300 family members included in an 820 application, Home Affairs specifies timing rules at lodgement. Do not assume a child’s 300 visa automatically carries them into the next application.
Budget and travel without relying on a promise
Budget for separate 300 and later Partner application stages, together with any additional applicants, health examinations, police certificates, translations and professional assistance. Check current official charges and any concession that applies to your situation. A reduced later charge can depend on your circumstances and timing.
Processing estimates describe recently decided cases and cannot guarantee a wedding date. Keep arrangements flexible where possible. If visiting Australia while waiting, use an appropriate visa and comply with its conditions; the pending 300 application is not permission to enter or work.
If marriage or relationship plans change
Contact your adviser and tell Home Affairs promptly if you marry before the 300 decision, change your plans or the relationship ends. Marriage before decision can engage different application rules, so the correct response is more than uploading a new date.
If there is family violence or your prospective spouse dies, seek individual advice promptly. Specific provisions may assist some current or former 300 holders, with location, visa-status and application requirements. Prioritise safety and do not assume you must remain in the relationship to explore your options.
How we can help
Ausdirect can help compare the engagement and Partner pathways, organise the relationship and marriage-intention evidence, review sponsor and child-related issues, and plan the later 820/801 step. We confirm the scope of assistance with you. Visa grants and timing remain decisions for Home Affairs.
Questions to consider
Do we have to be married to apply for the 300?
This pathway is for an intended marriage to the sponsoring prospective spouse. If you are already married, consider the appropriate Partner pathway. If you are de facto partners, compare your eligibility before choosing the 300.
What if we marry while the application is pending?
Notify Home Affairs. Where you marry the prospective spouse named in the application and the marriage is legally recognised, regulation 2.08E can treat you as also having applied for the 309/100 visas when Home Affairs receives notice. Get advice about the evidence and consequences for your case.
Can we wait until after the 300 expires to decide about the Partner application?
That creates avoidable risk. Discuss the later application well before expiry, including lawful stay, the required documents and any relevant fee concession. If the visa has already expired, seek advice urgently rather than assuming the usual transition still applies.
Is the 300 a guarantee of permanent residence?
No. It is a temporary visa. Marriage and a later Partner application each require further steps, and the Partner requirements still have to be assessed.
Your next step
Bring your relationship history, meeting and travel dates, proposed marriage plans, both partners’ immigration details and information about any children to your consultation.