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Prospective Marriage Visa (Offshore) (Subclass 300)
The Australian offshore Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) — often referred to as a Fiance Visa or Engagement Visa — allows the fiance/partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to come and live in Australia on a temporary basis.
Applicants must be outside Australia at the time of lodgement and may remain offshore until the visa gets granted. If the visa is granted, the Applicant can come to Australia, marry their fiance/partner, and then apply for the onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801).
To be eligible for the initial application, the Applicant must be legally engaged to their Australian partner, and prove that they are in regular communication, if living apart.
Given the complexity of the Prospective Marriage Visa process and the numerous eligibility requirements involved, we recommend booking a complimentary consultation with Andreas Athanasiou to discuss your specific circumstances and pathway options.
Eligibility
Eligibility for the Prospective Marriage visa (Subclass 300) is assessed in accordance with the Migration Act 1958 and the Migration Regulations 1994, including Schedule 2 visa criteria, regulation 1.15A of the Regulations, and applicable Public Interest Criteria relating to health and character.
To be eligible to apply for the offshore Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300), the Applicant (the overseas citizen), must:
• Be outside Australia when applying for the Visa.
• Have a Sponsor (who is an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident) who is their partner.
• Be engaged to the Sponsor (and have the intention to marry).
• Satisfy the 4 Pillars (evidence of relationship).
• Meet the character requirements.
• Meet the health requirements.
• Have a mutual commitment with each other.
• Be in a continuing and genuine relationship.
The above represent the minimum eligibility requirements. Additional information and documentation may be required from both the Applicant and the Sponsor to confirm overall eligibility and strengthen the application.
For personalised guidance and an assessment of your individual circumstances, you are welcome to contact our office for a complimentary consultation.
4 Pillars of the Relationship
When assessing an offshore Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) application, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) evaluates the relationship against four key aspects prescribed under regulation 1.15A of the Migration Regulations 1994, commonly referred to as the Four Pillars of the Relationship:
1. Financial Aspects of the Relationship
Evidence of shared financial responsibilities and commitments, such as joint bank accounts, pooled financial resources, joint loans or liabilities, and contributions to day-to-day household expenses. If the couple is not living together overseas or have any joint financial responsibilities, we can discuss options on how to meet this pillar.
2. Nature of the Household
Proof that the couple shares a genuine household, including joint residential leases, shared utility bills, joint ownership of property, and evidence of shared domestic responsibilities. If the couple is not living together overseas, we can discuss options on how to meet this pillar.
3. Social Aspects of the Relationship
Demonstrating that the relationship is recognised by family, friends, and the community — such as joint social activities, photographs, membership in clubs or organisations, and witness statements or statutory declarations.
4. Nature of the Commitment
Evidence of the couple’s ongoing commitment to a shared life together, including future plans, length of the relationship and cohabitation, travel together, and continued communication during any periods apart.
At Olympus Migration, we understand that every relationship is unique. Even if you have limited evidence under one or more of the pillars, our experienced team can guide you in strengthening your documentation and presentation.
We take pride in lodging decision-ready Prospective Marriage Visa applications — not only by addressing the required evidence, but by highlighting the small, personal details that truly reflect the authenticity of your relationship.
Intention to Marry
To be eligible to apply for the offshore Prospective Marriage visa (Subclass 300), the applicant and sponsor must demonstrate a genuine intention to marry after the grant of the visa and the applicant’s entry to Australia, in accordance with the primary criteria set out in Schedule 2 of the Migration Regulations 1994, as assessed under the Migration Act 1958.
In most cases, a letter from an Australian-registered Marriage Celebrant, together with a completed Notice of Intention to Marry (NOIM), is generally sufficient to satisfy this requirement.
Please note that meeting the above criteria does not in itself establish that the relationship is genuine — it only satisfies the minimum threshold to be eligible to apply for the offshore Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300).
Applicants must also provide sufficient evidence addressing the Four Pillars of the relationship and meet all other requirements outlined under the Eligibility section.
Visa Application Charge
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) charges an application fee of AUD $9,365 for an offshore Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300).
If dependent children are included in the application, additional DHA fees apply.
In addition to the DHA fee, applicants should also budget for other potential costs, which may include:
• Immigration health examinations.
• Australian police clearance certificates.
• Overseas police clearance certificates.
• Australian Celebrant fees.
• Certified translations of documents.
• Bank or credit-card surcharges.
• Professional fees charged by the appointed Migration Agency.*
*To help reduce financial pressure, Olympus Migration offers flexible payment plans, allowing professional fees to be paid in instalments over a period ofup to 15 months.
After the Visa Lodgement
After the offshore Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) application is lodged, the applicant may remain outside Australia while waiting for a decision. In the meantime, they may be eligible to visit Australia on another visa, such as a Tourist Visa.
Keep in mind that the likelihood of being granted a Tourist Visa depends on the applicant’s country of passport, as approval rates and risk assessments vary between nationalities.
In certain cases, applicants may also be able to enter Australia on a substantive visa and remain lawfully in the country until a decision on their main application is made.
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) currently indicates that Partner Visa processing may take up to two years. Processing times are determined entirely by the Department and cannot be influenced by a migration agent. Partner Visa applications prepared and lodged by Andreas Athanasiou are submitted in a detailed, decision-ready format that clearly address all evidentiary and procedural requirements.
After the Visa Decision
If the offshore Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) is granted, the applicant must complete the following steps within 9 to 15 months (timeframe varies depending on individual circumstances):
Enter Australia on the granted Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300).
Get married in Australia to their sponsor.
Apply for the onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801).
Once the applicant arrives in Australia, they can live, work and study without any restrictions. Once the onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801) application has been lodged, the applicant may be able to continue to live, work, and study without any restrictions while waiting for a decision.
Benefits of this Visa
The Prospective Marriage Visa provides a clear and lawful pathway for couples who intend to marry and build their future together in Australia. It allows your relationship to be recognised while giving you the time and certainty needed to plan your wedding and settle into life in Australia.
Once the Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) is granted, you can enter Australia and live with your fiancé(e) for up to 9 or 15 months. During this period, you are permitted to work without restriction, study, and travel in and out of Australia.
After marrying your Australian partner within the visa period, you may apply for an onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801), providing a pathway to permanent residency. This allows you to continue living together in Australia with stability, work rights, and access to long-term benefits as your relationship progresses. You will also have access to Medicare, allowing you to access Australia’s public healthcare system.
Complex Immigration Matters
At Olympus Migration, we understand that not every Partner Visa migration journey is straightforward.
Some applicants face unexpected hurdles that can place their future in Australia at risk. Our team provides urgent, compassionate and highly confidential assistance to individuals navigating complex visa challenges. These matters are often time-sensitive, emotionally distressing and require deep legal knowledge to resolve. We specialise in the following complex services, if you require them:
Family Violence Provisions
Enables eligible offshore Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100) applicants to still be granted their visa if the relationship has broken down due to family violence, ensuring their safety, legal protection and long-term independence in Australia.Sponsorship Limitation Waivers
Allows sponsors who have reached the legal limit of sponsorships to apply for an exemption where compelling or compassionate circumstances exist that significantly impact either the applicant or the sponsor’s wellbeing and future in Australia.Health Waivers
Allows applicants to overcome a visa refusal based on health grounds by proving that any anticipated cost or risk to the Australian community is outweighed by compelling, compassionate or public interest considerations.
Many of these situations are urgent and highly sensitive. You can read more about each of the abovenamed services in our Complex Immigration Services Portal.
Contact us for a complimentary and confidential consultation so we can clearly explain your options and protect your future in Australia.
In the following link, you can view genuine testimonials from past clients and individuals who have received Australian immigration advice from our Director, Andreas Athanasiou. All testimonials are sourced directly from our Google page and reflect consistently outstanding client feedback.
Recent Partner Visa Grants
LGBTQIA+ Couples
Couples who identify as members of the LGBTQIA+ community are equally eligible to apply for Partner Visas under Australian migration law, provided they meet the relevant requirements as either spouses or de facto partners.
At Olympus Migration, we are proud allies of the LGBTQIA+ community and are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all clients. Every relationship is treated with equal care, professionalism, and compassion. For more information, click here.
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All communication is handled directly by our Director and Registered Migration Agent, Andreas Athanasiou (MARN: 1685134), ensuring clear, consistent, and expert guidance throughout your matter.
Learn more about Andreas on our About Us page.
In-person consultations are available strictly by appointment at Level 10, 440 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000.
