Is a Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300) Worth It? Or Should You Marry First?
Are you engaged to your Australian partner and wondering whether to apply for the Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) or get married first and then apply for a Partner Visa (Subclass 820/309) to settle in Australia with your fiancé?
Well, you’re not alone. Many couples face the same concern in planning a life together in Australia. To make the right choice, it’s crucial to consider your relationship stage, timing, budget, and migration goals. These factors will play a significant role in determining which visa is best for you.
In this article, we’ll break down the differences between the Subclass 300 Visa and the Partner Visa, compare their pros and cons to help you decide which one is right for you.
What is the Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300)?
The Prospective Marriage Visa, also known as the fiancé visa, is a temporary visa that allows the applicant to travel to Australia and marry their Australian partner within 9 or 15 months of arrival (depending on the visa validity).
The key features of a fiancé visa you should note:
- You must apply offshore (be outside of Australia when applying and when the decision is made).
- Valid for 9 to 15 months.
- After marriage, you must apply for an onshore Partner Visa (subclass 820/801) to stay permanently.
- Allows you to work and study in Australia during the visa’s validity.
Read more: Next Step After 300 Visa: Transition Guide to Partner Visa
What are the Partner Visas (subclass 820/309)?
The Partner Visa (subclass 820/309) is suitable if you’re already married or in a de facto relationship with your Australian partner. Here’s the key information:
- Offshore Partner Visa Subclass 309:
- You must apply from outside Australia
- This is the first stage of partner migration (also known as the temporary stage)
- It leads to subclass 100 for permanent residency
- Onshore Partner Visa Subclass 820:
- You must apply from within Australia
- It leads to subclass 801 for permanent residency
- It requires you to hold a valid visa with no 8503 condition
Prospective Marriage Visa vs Partner Visa: Which one is best for you?
Here’s a breakdown based on a real-life situation:
Choose Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300) if:
- You’re engaged and haven’t lived together for 12 months
- You’ve spent the relationship mostly as a long-distance couple, so physical evidence of your togetherness is limited
- You want to plan your wedding in Australia
- You prefer a gradual, step-by-step pathway
- You’re currently offshore and not ready to marry overseas
Example: Maria is in the Philippines and engaged to To, an Australian citizen. They spent most of their relationship as a long-distance couple due to work and family ties. However, on his latest visit, Tom popped the question, and they directly planned their wedding to be held in Sydney. So, they decided to apply for the Subclass 300 visa, which would allow Maria to enter Australia legally, marry Tom, and then apply for the onshore Partner Visa.
Choose Partner Visa (subclass 820 or 309) if:
- You’re already married or have lived together in a de facto relationship for 12 months.
- You want to save time and money (one application instead of two)
- You are onshore and hold a visa that doesn’t have the 8503 condition
- You want to start the PR process immediately.
Example: Amir, an Australian citizen, has been living together with his partner, Zoe, a Student Visa holder, in Melbourne for over a year. They’re not planning to marry soon, but wish to live together permanently in Australia. Since they live together, proving their relationship with physical evidence is no issue. So, they applied for the onshore Partner Visa (subclass 820), aiming for the immediate PR pathway to the Subclass 801 visa.
Read more: Can I Apply for Partner Visa Without Living Together?
So, is applying for a Prospective Marriage Visa worth it?
Applying for the Prospective Marriage Visa is worth it if marriage is your goal and you want to do it properly and legally in Australia. It’s beneficial when:
- You haven’t lived together with your fiancé
- You can’t apply for the Partner Visa as a de facto partner
- You don’t want to rush the marriage just for visa purposes
However, it does come with:
- Higher costs since it involves two visa applications (subclass 300 and 820/801 as PR pathway)
- A longer pathway to permanent residency
- The need to marry within the visa validity period
So, between Prospective Marriage Visa vs Partner Visa, which one will you choose?
We understand it is a personal decision, and it entirely depends on your relationship history, timing, location, and goals.
If you’re unsure which path is best for you, our Registered Migration Agent is here to help. They can assess your situation and guide you towards the most strategic and cost-effective option, providing you with the support and reassurance you need.
