If you are engaged to an Australian and planning to marry in Australia but have not yet lived together as spouses or de facto partners, the Subclass 300 is the visa for you. It is a temporary visa that lets you enter Australia to marry, then transition into a partner visa after the wedding.
The Subclass 300 recognises that many couples want to marry in Australia but have not yet cohabited enough to qualify as de facto partners.
Engaged to an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen. Plan to marry in Australia within the visa period. Have not lived together 12+ months. Outside Australia when applying. Met in person as adults.
If you are already married (apply for 309 or 820 instead). If you have lived together 12+ months (309 or 820 is likely more efficient). If you do not plan to marry within 15 months.
The 300 is not the destination. After marriage, you apply for the 820/801, which is the permanent pathway. Plan the whole journey, not just the wedding.
Miss any one and the visa cannot be granted. These are the gates.
Both partners must genuinely intend to marry during the visa period. The Department looks for evidence: wedding plans, booked venue, save-the-date announcements, engagement photos, family involvement.
You must have met in person as adults. A video-call-only relationship does not qualify. You do not need to have spent long periods together, but there must be at least one in-person meeting.
Police checks from every country lived in for 12+ months over the past 10 years. Health examinations where required.
Both partners must be at least 18.
Any previous marriages must be legally ended. Divorce certificates or death certificates required for previous spouses.
The 300 is not the destination. It is the entry visa that lets you marry in Australia, then transition to the permanent partner pathway.
The Department recognised that not every couple fits the de facto or married definition at the time of application. Some couples want to marry in Australia surrounded by family. The 300 exists to make that possible. It is one of the few visas that specifically accommodates cultural wedding traditions where the marriage itself marks the formal start of the relationship.
The Department looks for both the relationship and the planned wedding. Build evidence across all four stacks.
Engagement photographs. Engagement announcement evidence (family invitations, social media). Engagement ring photos. Family statements confirming awareness and support.
Venue booking confirmation or deposit receipts. Photographer or catering bookings. Wedding invitation drafts or save-the-dates. Planned wedding date and preparations timeline.
Communication records (WhatsApp, email, video calls). Photos together across time. Visit records (passport stamps, flight bookings). Financial support between partners.
Proof of Australian citizenship or permanent residency. Police clearance for the sponsor. Sponsor statement about the relationship and intention to marry.