If you are wondering how to get a fiancé visa in Australia, the visa you need is the Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300). It lets you travel to Australia to marry your Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen partner. You apply from outside Australia, you must have met in person, and you must genuinely intend to marry within the required time.
Not every engaged couple will qualify. Eligibility depends on your own circumstances and evidence. This guide explains the requirements, the application steps, the costs and what happens after the visa is granted.
In This Guide
- What Is the Australian Fiancé Visa (Subclass 300)?
- Who Can Apply for a Fiancé Visa in Australia?
- Australian Fiancé Visa Requirements
- Documents Required for a Fiancé Visa in Australia
- How to Get a Fiancé Visa in Australia: Step-by-Step Application
- Fiancé Visa Australia Cost
- Fiancé Visa Processing Time in Australia
- What Happens After Your Subclass 300 Visa Is Granted?
- Can You Apply for a Partner Visa After Marriage?
- Common Reasons for Delays or Refusals
- Frequently Asked Questions About the Australian Fiancé Visa
- Conclusion: Get Guidance on Your Australian Fiancé Visa
- Official Sources
What Is the Australian Fiancé Visa (Subclass 300)?
The Australian fiancé visa is officially called the Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300). Home Affairs describes it as a visa that lets you come to Australia to marry your prospective spouse and then apply for permanent residency.
It is a temporary visa. It is not permanent residence, and it is not the same as a Partner visa. The subclass 300 is the first step. Marriage and a Partner visa application come after.
Be careful with the names. The Partner visas are subclasses 820/801 (applied for from inside Australia) and 309/100 (applied for from outside Australia). The Prospective Marriage visa is a separate visa for couples who are not yet married.
Who Can Apply for a Fiancé Visa in Australia?
You can apply if you are engaged to, or plan to marry, a partner who is one of these:
- An Australian citizen
- An Australian permanent resident
- An eligible New Zealand citizen
Your partner acts as your sponsor. Same-sex couples can apply on the same basis as other couples.
The visa is for people who are outside Australia when they lodge. If you are already in Australia, a different visa pathway may apply, so get advice before you plan anything.
Australian Fiancé Visa Requirements
The subclass 300 visa requirements cover three areas: your relationship, your sponsor and a few general rules. The Prospective Marriage visa eligibility rules are tested on evidence, so each point matters.
Relationship and Marriage Requirements
- You must be free to marry. Neither of you can be married to someone else when the visa is decided.
- You must genuinely intend to marry each other. Home Affairs looks for an intention to marry within nine months of the visa being granted.
- You must have met in person. You must know each other personally. Meeting only online does not meet this requirement.
- You should have met as adults. Most guides explain this as meeting in person since both of you turned 18.
Home Affairs looks at the whole relationship. Strong, consistent evidence of how you met, how you stay in touch and your wedding plans matters more than any single document.
Sponsor Eligibility
Your sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. They must also be at least 18 and meet the sponsor character requirements.
There are limits on repeat sponsorship. If either of you has been involved in earlier partner or prospective marriage sponsorships, special rules can apply. Check the current rules before you lodge.
Age and Other Visa Requirements
- You must be at least 18 years old when you apply.
- You must be outside Australia when you lodge.
- You must meet the health requirement.
- You must meet the character requirement, which usually involves police certificates.
Documents Required for a Fiancé Visa in Australia
The documents required for an Australian fiancé visa show who you are, that you have met and that your plan to marry is real. Home Affairs gives the official checklist, and what you need can vary with your case.
| Type of evidence | Examples |
|---|---|
| Identity | Passports, birth certificates, proof of name changes |
| Sponsor status | Proof of citizenship or permanent residence |
| Meeting in person | Travel records, photos together, tickets, messages that refer to the visit |
| Genuine relationship | Calls, chats, shared plans, letters from family and friends |
| Intention to marry | Wedding plans, celebrant details, a Notice of Intended Marriage if you have one |
| Character | Police certificates for the countries where you have lived long term |
| Health | Health examinations if Home Affairs asks for them |
Complete and consistent documents matter. Names, dates and travel details should match across every form and every piece of evidence. Differences without an explanation can raise doubts.
How to Get a Fiancé Visa in Australia: Step-by-Step Application
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Read the official subclass 300 page before you start. Check each requirement against your real situation, especially the in-person meeting and the sponsor rules.
Step 2: Prepare Your Supporting Documents
Collect your evidence first. Start with proof of how you met, then build up your relationship evidence and wedding plans. Arrange police certificates early, because some countries take weeks to issue them.
Step 3: Lodge Your Application
Applications are made online through ImmiAccount. Both of you have a part to complete, because your partner sponsors you. Pay the correct charge when you lodge, and make sure you are outside Australia on the day.
Step 4: Complete Any Requested Health or Character Checks
Home Affairs may ask for health examinations or more character information. Do these as soon as you are asked. Delays on your side can slow the whole application.
Step 5: Wait for a Decision
Keep your ImmiAccount and email contact details up to date. Answer any request for more information promptly. Do not book flights or finalise wedding plans that depend on the visa until it is granted.
Fiancé Visa Australia Cost
The Australia fiancé visa cost is mainly the government visa application charge. It changes, usually each 1 July.
For applications lodged from 1 July 2026, the base charge for the main applicant is reported at AUD $11,710. Additional applicants pay extra charges. Use the official Visa Pricing Estimator to get the exact total for your situation.
| Stage | Government charge (main applicant) |
|---|---|
| Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) | AUD $11,710 (reported for lodgement from 1 July 2026) |
| Partner visa (820/801) after marriage, lodged before the subclass 300 expires | A reduced charge, reported at AUD $1,955 |
The reduced Partner visa charge only applies if you marry and lodge the Partner visa application before your subclass 300 visa ends. Check the current rules and amounts before you rely on this.
Plan for other costs as well:
- Police certificates and health examinations
- Translations of documents
- Travel to Australia
- Wedding and celebrant costs
- Any professional fees, if you use an adviser
Costs may change, and the charge is generally not refunded if the visa is refused. Always confirm the amount on the day you lodge.
Fiancé Visa Processing Time in Australia
Home Affairs publishes processing times in its visa processing times guide. It shows an estimate based on recently decided applications. It is not a guarantee, and it does not check anything specific to your application.
Latest official estimate for the Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300): [Insert figure from the Home Affairs visa processing times guide, with the date checked]
If you search online, you will see very different fiancé visa processing time Australia figures. Some pages say 9 months, others say 12 to 18 months or more. These figures come from different months and different percentages of applications, so treat them as rough only.
Processing can take longer if your application is incomplete, if checks are slow or if Home Affairs asks for more evidence.
What Happens After Your Subclass 300 Visa Is Granted?
Your grant letter is the most important document. It shows your visa dates and your conditions. Read it carefully and keep a copy.
- Marriage deadline. You must marry your sponsor within the visa period. The visa is generally valid for 9 to 15 months from grant, and your grant letter confirms your dates.
- Travel. You can travel to Australia, and the visa generally allows travel in and out while it is valid.
- Work and study. The visa generally allows work and study. Check your grant letter for conditions.
- No extension. The visa cannot be extended. If you do not marry in time, you cannot use this pathway to apply for a Partner visa as a married couple.
Can You Apply for a Partner Visa After Marriage?
Yes, if you meet the requirements. After you marry your sponsor, you can apply for the onshore Partner visa (subclass 820/801). It leads to permanent residence.
Timing matters. Lodge the Partner visa application before your subclass 300 visa expires, so you stay lawful and may qualify for the reduced charge.
Do not confuse this with the offshore Partner visa (309/100), which is a different pathway for people applying from outside Australia. Which route suits you depends on your situation.
Common Reasons for Delays or Refusals
| Issue | Why it causes problems |
|---|---|
| Weak evidence of meeting in person | The in-person meeting is a core requirement. |
| Inconsistent information | Different dates or details across documents raise doubts. |
| Thin proof of intention to marry | Home Affairs looks for real wedding plans. |
| Sponsor not eligible | The sponsor must meet the citizenship, residence and character rules. |
| Health or character concerns | These can lead to extra checks or refusal. |
| Applying from inside Australia | This visa is lodged from outside Australia. |
| Missing documents or late replies | These slow the application down. |
Frequently Asked Questions About the Australian Fiancé Visa
1. How do I get a fiancé visa in Australia?
You apply for the Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) online from outside Australia. Your partner sponsors you, and you must show that you have met in person and genuinely intend to marry.
2. How much does an Australian fiancé visa cost?
For applications lodged from 1 July 2026, the base charge for the main applicant is reported at AUD $11,710. Use the official Visa Pricing Estimator for your exact total.
3. How long does a subclass 300 visa take to process?
Home Affairs publishes an estimate in its visa processing times guide, based on recently decided applications. It is not a guarantee, so check the guide for the latest figure.
4. Can I work on a Prospective Marriage visa?
The visa generally allows work and study. Check the conditions in your grant letter or in VEVO.
5. Do we need to have met in person before applying?
Yes. You must have met in person and know each other personally. Meeting only online does not meet the requirement.
6. How long do I have to marry after the visa is granted?
You must marry within the visa period, and Home Affairs looks for an intention to marry within nine months of grant. The visa is generally valid for 9 to 15 months, so follow the dates in your grant letter.
7. Can I apply for a Partner visa after getting married?
Yes, if you meet the requirements. Lodge the onshore Partner visa (820/801) application before your subclass 300 visa expires.
8. Can my fiancé visa be refused?
Yes. Common reasons include weak evidence of meeting in person, inconsistent information, an ineligible sponsor and health or character issues. Each case is assessed on its own facts.
Conclusion: Get Guidance on Your Australian Fiancé Visa
Knowing how to get a fiancé visa in Australia comes down to a few points. You need to be eligible for the Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300), your sponsor must qualify, and you must be able to prove that you have met in person and plan to marry.
Check the current charge and processing estimate on the official Home Affairs pages before you lodge. Keep your evidence accurate and consistent, because small differences can cause big delays.
If you would like to talk through your options with a migration agent Australia couples can approach, Asia Pacific Group (APG) can discuss your visa questions and your evidence. No adviser can guarantee a visa outcome or a faster decision, but clear advice before you lodge can help you avoid common mistakes.
Official Sources
- Department of Home Affairs: Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300)
- Department of Home Affairs: Visa pricing estimator
- Department of Home Affairs: Visa processing times
Important: This article provides general information only. Visa requirements, charges and processing times change, and your eligibility depends on your individual circumstances. Always check the latest information on the official Department of Home Affairs website before you make a visa application. For advice about your situation, consider speaking with a registered migration agent or qualified legal professional.
