Subclass 300 · Partner, family and parent visas
Prospective Marriage visa
For a fiancé or fiancée of an Australian who will marry within the visa period. After the wedding you apply for the 820/801 partner visa in Australia at a much lower charge.
- Stay
9 to 15 months from date of grant of visa.
- Government charge
From AUD11,710.00. Concessions apply in limited circumstances.
- Visa type
Temporary
Official information from the Department of Home Affairs
The material below reproduces English-language information from the Department of Home Affairs about this visa. Requirements may have changed since it was added to this website. Use the source link to check the latest information; I can explain relevant provisions in Vietnamese or English during a consultation.
Reading asFor Applicants
Overview
Stay
9 to 15 months from date of grant of visa.
Government charge
From AUD11,710.00. Concessions apply in limited circumstances.
Cost concession for eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste Partner visa applicants
From 1 July 2026, a lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens who lodge a valid visa application. See About this visa.
To work out what your visa will cost, use the Visa Pricing Estimator. The estimator does not take into account other costs relating to the visa.
Processing times
Prospective Marriage visa applicants may experience longer processing times than expected. For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.
Applications are processed according to Ministerial Direction 117. For more information, see Family visa processing priorities.
You can find the answers to common questions about Partner visa processing times at Partner Visa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
With this visa you can
- stay in Australia for 9 to 15 months from your visa grant date
- work and study in Australia.
You must
- be 18 years old or older
- have a sponsor who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
- intend to marry your prospective spouse before the visa period ends
- have met your prospective spouse face to face as adults since turning 18, and are known to each other personally at the time you apply for this visa
- be outside of Australia when you apply for this visa, along with any family that apply with you
- be in or outside Australia when we decide your temporary visa application.
Help with your visa
If you are getting help with your visa, make sure you read information on Who can help with your visa application.
About this visa
With this visa you can
- live, work and study in Australia for 9 to 15 months from the visa grant date
- travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid.
Settle in Australia
If you and your spouse want to settle in Australia, apply for a Partner visa (subclass 820 and 801):
- after you are married
- before your Prospective Marriage visa ends.
How long you can stay
This is a temporary visa. You can stay in Australia for the period specified on the visa grant letter. This is 9 to 15 months from the visa grant date.
Include family members
You can include members of the family unit in your application when you lodge your visa application.
You can add a dependent child after you lodge your application but before we decide on your temporary visa.
Family members who apply with you must:
- be members of the family unit
- meet our health requirement
- meet our character requirement
- be outside Australia.
Family members who are not coming to Australia might also have to meet our health and character requirement.
Newborn children
For information on what to do if your child is born after you apply, see You had a baby.
Cost
AUD11,710.00 for the main applicant. Concessions apply in limited circumstances.
There is also a fee for each family member who applies for the visa with you. We cannot process your application if you do not pay the correct visa application charge. You might also have to pay other costs for health checks, police certificates and biometrics.
To work out how much your visa will cost, including adding additional family members, use the Visa pricing estimator. The estimator does not take into account the costs for health checks, police certificates or biometrics.
You will also have to pay a fee for your Partner visa (subclasses 820 and 801). You pay less for this visa if you marry your prospective spouse and apply for the Partner visa before your Prospective Marriage visa ends.
Cost concession for eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste Partner visa applicants
From 1 July 2026, a lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens who lodge a valid visa application.
We will charge eligible applicants the lower visa application cost during the application process in ImmiAccount. We will recognise eligible applicants when they apply with a valid passport from one of the specified countries.
Family members are also eligible for the lower visa cost. We base this on the passport of the primary applicant (or visa holder who satisfies the primary visa criteria).
The primary applicant must hold a valid passport issued by one of the following countries:
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Nauru
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Timor-Leste
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu.
Apply for this visa
You must be outside of Australia when you apply for this visa. Family who apply with you must also be outside Australia.
Your obligations
You and your family members must meet all visa conditions and obey Australian laws.
See what conditions might be attached to this visa on our visa conditions page.
Your marriage
You must enter Australia on the Prospective Marriage visa before the date specified on your grant letter.
You must have married your prospective spouse before your Prospective Marriage visa expires.
You can get married in any country, but your marriage must be valid under Australian law.
Forced marriage
Forced marriage is when a person (or both people) gets married without freely and fully consenting. They may be tricked, threatened or pressured into getting married, or they are incapable of understanding the nature and effect of a marriage ceremony, for reasons including age or mental capacity.
Forced marriage is a crime in Australia.
If you or someone you know is in, or at risk of, a forced marriage you can seek help. For more information, see Forced marriage.
Adequate health insurance
We recommend you take out health insurance to cover any unforeseen medical treatment you might need while in Australia. Otherwise, you will be personally liable for all your healthcare costs while you are in Australia. Insurance can help limit your financial liability.
For more information, see adequate health insurance.
Learn more about health insurance for overseas visitors.
Reciprocal healthcare agreements
Some countries have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia. Find out more from Services Australia about reciprocal health care agreements.
Travel
You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while you hold this visa.
First entry arrival date
If you are outside Australia at the time of visa grant you must enter Australia before the first entry arrival date (first entry, arrive by) specified in your grant letter.
Visa label
We will digitally link your visa to your passport. You will not get a label in your passport.
Frequently asked questions
You can find the answers to common questions about this visa at Partner Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Eligibility
You must meet all of these criteria to be eligible for this visa.
Not had a visa cancelled or an application refused
We will consider your immigration history when we make a decision on your application, which means you might not be eligible for this visa if you have had a visa cancelled or refused.
In some circumstances you may still apply for a permanent visa if you have had a visa cancelled or an application refused, see Can I go to Australia.
If you want immigration assistance, see Who can help with your visa application.
Be outside Australia when you apply
You must be outside Australia when you apply for this visa. Family who apply with you must also be outside Australia.
Have a sponsor
You and anyone who applies for the visa with you must have a sponsor when you lodge your application and while you are on this visa.
Your sponsor is your prospective spouse.
You and your prospective spouse must have met in person as adults since turning 18, and are known to each other personally at the time you apply for this visa.
We must approve your sponsor.
Your sponsor should apply to sponsor you as soon as possible after you apply for this visa.
Select the ‘For Sponsors’ switch at the top of this page for information about sponsorship.
Be the right age
You and your sponsor must be 18 years old or older when you apply for this visa.
Meet relationship requirements
In most cases, your prospective spouse must be an:
- Australian citizen
- Australian permanent resident
- eligible New Zealand citizen.
Your relationship can be with someone of the same or different sex.
Meet our health requirement
You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet our health requirement. We might ask for health information about family not coming to Australia with you.
Meet our character requirement
You and any family members aged 16 years and over who apply for the visa with you must meet our character requirements. We might ask for character information about family not coming to Australia with you.
Have no debt to the Australian Government
If you or any family members owe the Australian government money, it must have been paid back or arranged to be paid back. This may include family members who do not accompany you to Australia.
Sign the Australian values statement
You and any family members who apply with you who are 18 years of age or older must:
- have read, or had explained, the Life in Australia booklet
- sign an Australian Values Statement that confirms you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws.
Best interests of the child
We might not grant this visa if it is not in the best interests of an applicant under 18.
Step by step
Follow this step by step guide.
1Before you apply
There are things you need to know and might need to do before you apply.
Processing times
Prospective Marriage visa applicants may experience longer processing times than expected. For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.
Applications are processed according to Ministerial Direction 117. For more information, see Family visa processing priorities.
You can find the answers to common questions about Partner visa processing times at Partner Visa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Get help with your application
You can appoint anyone to receive correspondence relating to your visa application.
To appoint someone to receive your correspondence, use Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient (301KB PDF).
If you need help with your application, you can appoint someone to give you immigration assistance. A person who gives you immigration assistance can:
- discuss your application with us
- give us information
- send and receive correspondence about your application.
We treat any correspondence they send as if it came from you.
If you appoint someone to give you immigration assistance they must be:
To appoint someone to provide immigration assistance, use Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person (225KB PDF) .
For more information, see who can help you with your application.
2Gather and prepare your documents
You should provide all required information with your application, or as soon as possible after lodging your application.
You have the option to obtain your police certificates before you apply. However for immigration purposes, police certificates are valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
Before deciding when to obtain your police certificates, you should refer to the Visa processing times. We may ask you to provide them again if they expire before we decide your visa.
Ensure that all information you provide is accurate. As a visa applicant, you must prove your identity and provide true information with your application. For more information, see Providing accurate information.
Your sponsor should apply to sponsor you as soon as possible after you apply for this visa.
Select the 'For Sponsors' switch at the top of this page for information about sponsorship.
Identity documents
Provide a birth certificate showing the names of both parents.
If you cannot provide this, provide one of the following:
- Identification pages of a family book showing the names of both parents.
- Identification pages of an identification document issued by the government.
- Identification pages of a court-issued document that proves your identity.
- Identification pages of a family census register.
Also provide:
- the pages of your current passport showing your photo, personal details and issue and expiry dates
- a national identity card, if you have one
- proof of change of name, if applicable, such as:
- a marriage or divorce certificate
- change of name documents from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, or the relevant overseas authority
- documents that show other names you have been known by.
Evidence of relationships
You need to attach to your application, evidence of:
- your relationship with your prospective spouse
- any former relationships
- any dependants you have.
Your relationship with your prospective spouse
You must provide statements from 2 witnesses who:
- are 18 years or older
- know you and your prospective spouse
- know about your relationship.
Statements from witnesses can be done by completing Form 888 – Supporting statement in relation to a Partner or Prospective Marriage visa application.
If the witness is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, provide evidence of this, such as a passport or birth certificate.
Also provide other evidence of your relationship such as:
- evidence that you and your prospective spouse have met face-to-face as adults since turning 18 and know each other personally
- evidence (such as a letter from the person who will officiate at the wedding) that you will marry your prospective spouse within 9 months of being granted the visa
- evidence that you and your prospective spouse genuinely intend to live as spouses
- written statements showing the history of your relationship, such as:
- how, when and where you first met
- how your relationship developed
- when you got engaged
- what you do together
- significant events in the relationship
- your future plans as spouses.
Former relationships
If you have previously been married, widowed, divorced or permanently separated, provide divorce documents, death certificates, separation documents or statutory declarations.
Dependants under 18
For each of the members of the family unit under 18 years old applying with you, provide:
- identity documents
- evidence of your relationship with your dependant, like a birth or marriage certificate
- health examinations
- character documents, if the dependant is 16 or 17 years of age
- adoption papers or parental court orders, if applicable
- evidence of enrolment at school, college or university, if applicable
- evidence of sole custody, if applicable.
Parental responsibility documents
You must get consent for any applicant under 18 years of age to migrate to Australia from anyone who:
- has a legal right to decide where the child lives and
- is not coming to Australia with the child.
They must complete Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years.
Include:
- an identity document that shows the signature and photo of the person who completed the form, such as a passport or driver’s licence
- adoption papers or other court documents, if applicable.
Alternatively, you can show us one of the following:
- An Australian court order that allows your child to migrate to Australia
- That the laws of the child's home country allow them to leave their home country permanently.
Dependants over 18
To include members of the family unit who are over 18 in your visa application, they must be:
- between the ages of 18 and 23, and dependent on you or your partner
- over 23 years of age and unable to earn a living to support themselves due to physical or cognitive limitations and dependent on you or your partner.
Provide:
- identity documents
- documents about their other relationships, if applicable
- health examinations
- character documents.
You must also provide evidence the child is dependent on you. This includes the following:
- Evidence of your relationship with the dependent such as a birth certificate or adoption papers.
- Evidence of financial dependence such as bank statements, money transfers and rent receipts.
- A completed Form 47a Details of a child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over.
If the child is aged 23 or is likely to turn 23 while your application is being processed, you must also provide a report from a qualified medical practitioner. This report should state that they are dependent on you or your partner due to the total or partial loss of their bodily or mental functions.
Prepare your documents
Translate
Have all documents translated into English.
Provide original and translated documents in your application.
Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.
Translators outside Australia do not have to be accredited. But on each translation, they must include their:
- full name
- address and telephone number
- qualifications and experience in the language they are translating.
These details must be in English.
Scan or photograph
Scan or photograph all documents (English and non-English) in colour.
The scans and photos must be clear enough to read.
If a document is more than one page, save it all as one file.
You do not need to have any documents certified.
3Apply for the visa
You must apply:
- online, and
- while outside Australia.
Using our website and protections to your privacy
We take our obligation to protect your privacy seriously. We provide a secure online environment, but you can do more to ensure your personal safety online:
- Make sure you give us your contact details when you apply for your visa and tell us if they have changed. We may need to contact you directly even if you have:
- nominated your sponsor’s email address for all electronic correspondence
- appointed your sponsor or someone else to receive your correspondence as your authorised recipient
- appointed someone to give you immigration assistance.
- Protect your ImmiAccount, email account and passwords. Don’t share them with anyone.
For more information see Using our website.
How to apply
- Login or create an ImmiAccount.
- Select ‘New application’.
- Select ‘Family’.
- Select ‘Stage 1 – Partner or Prospective Marriage Visa’.
- Attach documents.
- Pay the application charge. We will not process your application until you pay.
- Note the Transaction Reference Number (TRN). Your sponsor will need the TRN to apply for sponsorship.
Select the ‘For Sponsors’ switch at the top of this page for information on how to apply as a sponsor.
Attach a document only once, even if you are using it to show more than one thing.
Clearly label your documents.
You can attach up to 100 documents for each person on your application.
The attachment limit cannot be increased.
If you reach the attachment limit for an applicant, you can attach more documents to other clients on the application.
For more information see Applying online in ImmiAccount .
Frequently asked questions
A list of common questions and answers is available at Partner Visa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
4After you apply
We will let you know when we have received your application.
As Prospective Marriage visa applications can have long visa processing times, you should update your documents and evidence of your relationship regularly through ImmiAccount.
Before you get your police certificates and complete your health examinations, you should refer to the Visa processing times. We may ask you to provide them again if they expire before we decide your visa.
The results of your health assessment are valid for 12 months from the time you complete your examinations. If we ask you to sign a health undertaking, this is for 6 months.
For immigration purposes, police certificates are valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
Be sponsored
You and anyone who applies for the visa with you must have a sponsor when you lodge your application and when you are on this visa.
After you apply for this visa, give your sponsor your Transaction Reference Number (TRN) or application ID. Your sponsor can then apply to sponsor you.
Select the ‘For Sponsors’ switch at the top of this page for information about sponsorship.
Health examinations
You need to have health examinations.
The results of your health assessment are valid for 12 months from the date you complete your examinations. If we ask you to sign a health undertaking, this is valid for 6 months.
Before you complete your health examinations, you should refer to the Visa processing times. We may ask you to provide them again if they expire before we decide your visa.
To organise your health examinations, see What health examinations you need.
For more information on health requirements and examinations, see Health
Character documents
If you have spent a total of 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years (since you turned 16), you must provide an Australian police certificate.
We only accept complete disclosure National Police Certificates issued by the Australian Federal Police. We do not accept standard disclosure certificates or national police certificates issued by Australian state or territory police.
To get an Australian police certificate, see National Police Checks.
Also provide:
- a police certificate from every country where you spent a total of 12 months or more in, in the last 10 years since you turned 16
- military service records or discharge papers if you served in the armed forces of any country.
To get an overseas police certificate, see Services outside Australia.
For immigration purposes, police certificates are valid for 12 months from the issue date.
Before deciding when to obtain your police certificates, you should refer to the Visa processing times. We may ask you to provide them again if they expire before we decide your visa.
Complete and attach to your application Form 80 Personal particulars for assessment including character assessment.
Further information is available at: Character requirements for visas
Status updates
Do not contact us if your application is within the current standard processing time. We cannot provide any further updates on your application's progress. You can check the status of your visa application and if you have provided all supporting documents through ImmiAccount.
To see current standard processing times for this visa refer to Global processing times. The estimated timeframe is based on how long it has taken to process recently decided applications. It does not guarantee that your application will be decided within the current standard processing timeframe.
As Prospective Marriage visa applications can have long visa processing times, you should update your documents and evidence of your relationship regularly through ImmiAccount.
Before you get your police certificates and complete your health examinations, you should refer to the Visa processing times. We may ask you to provide them again if they expire before we decide your visa.
You can find the answers to common questions about this visa at Partner Visa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Travel
Do not arrange to travel to Australia until we let you know, in writing, that we have granted you the subclass 300 visa.
Biometrics
Attach more information
If you did not attach all required documents when you applied, attach them in ImmiAccount as soon as you can.
We might ask you to provide more information.
As Prospective Marriage visa applications can have long visa processing times, you should update your documents and evidence of your relationship regularly through ImmiAccount.
Before you get your police certificates and complete your health examinations, you should refer to the Visa processing times. We may ask you to provide them again if they expire before we decide your visa.
For more information on attaching documents in ImmiAccount see Applying online or paper.
If you are unable to upload the relevant documents to you application in ImmiAccount, you need to contact us using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
Attach more information
If you did not attach all required documents when you applied, attach them in ImmiAccount as soon as you can.
We might ask you to provide more information.
As Prospective Marriage visa applications can have long visa processing times, you should update your documents and evidence of your relationship regularly through ImmiAccount.
Before you get your police certificates and complete your health examinations, you should refer to the Visa processing times. We may ask you to provide them again if they expire before we decide your visa.
For more information on attaching documents in ImmiAccount see Applying online or paper.
If you are unable to upload the relevant documents to you application in ImmiAccount, you need to contact us using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
Add family members
You can add a dependent child to your application before we decide on your visa. Your child must be outside Australia.
Complete and attach to your application in ImmiAccount Form 1436 - Adding an additional applicant after lodgement.
After you have attached the form, let us know by using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
We can grant your child the subclass 300 visa if they are members of the family unit, and meet all other criteria for grant.
Newborn children
If you have a baby, you will need to let us know. For more information, see You had a baby.
After you have updated ImmiAccount, let us know by using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
Tell us if your details have changed
See here for changes to your contact details, address or passport
Tell us if things change
Tell us if things change after you apply but before we have made a decision.
Things you need to let us know about include:
- the birth of a child
- any other changes relevant to your application
- a request to withdraw your application.
For more information, see Change in your situation.
If you are unable to upload the relevant documents to your application in ImmiAccount, you need to contact us using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
If your relationship ends
Complete the Notification of Relationship Cessation form in the ‘Update Details’ tab in ImmiAccount.
Your online safety
To ensure your personal safety online we recommend that you:
- change your ImmiAccount password as soon as possible
- do not use saved passwords to access your ImmiAccount
- change your email password or consider setting up a new email account.
To see how you can increase your personal safety you can use the eSafety Commissioner’s online safety checklist
If you are having trouble completing the ImmiAccount form, complete the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
If you marry
If you get married before we decide on your visa application, you are no longer eligible for this visa. To tell us about this change:
- Sign into ImmiAccount
- Go to the 'Update details' tab
- Click on the 'Change in situation' option.
You will also need to attach the following to your application:
- evidence that your marriage is valid (registered marriage certificate issued by the relevant legal authority)
- a request to be considered for a Partner (Provisional) visa (subclass 309)and Partner (Migrant) visa (subclass 100)
- a statement telling us you want to withdraw your Prospective Marriage visa application.
After you have updated ImmiAccount, let us know by using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
If you do not withdraw your application, it will be refused as you no longer meet the eligibility requirements for the visa.
Stay lawful
If you travel to Australia on a visa while your Prospective Marriage visa is in progress, you are responsible for ensuring that you continue to hold a valid visa for the duration of your stay.
No longer need help with your application
Let us know if you no longer want someone to:
- receive your correspondence - complete Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient
- provide immigration advice - complete Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person.
After you have attached the form to ImmiAccount, let us know by using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
For more information see Who can help you with your application.
Mistakes on your application
Let us know as soon as you can if you have made a mistake on your application. For more information, see After you apply.
If you are unable to update your application in ImmiAccount, you need to contact us using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
5Visa outcome
You can be in or outside Australia when we decide your visa application.
We will tell you our decision in writing. Keep a copy of the decision.
If we grant your visa, we will tell you:
- your visa grant number
- the date your visa starts
- your visa conditions.
If we refuse your visa, we will tell you:
- why we refused the visa
- if you have a right to a review of the decision.
We will not refund the application fee if we refuse your application.
When you have this visa
What you can do on this visa
This visa lets you:
- live, work and study in Australia for 9 to 15 months from date of visa grant
- travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while your visa is valid.
How long you can stay
You can stay in Australia for 9 to 15 months from date of visa grant. To see when your visa expires, refer to your grant letter or use VEVO.
What you must do on this visa
You and your family members must meet all visa conditions and obey Australian laws.
Check your visa details and conditions using VEVO.
If you and your spouse want to settle in Australia, you should apply for a Partner visa (subclass 820 and 801) after your marriage and before your Prospective Marriage visa expires. You will pay less for the Partner visa if you apply for it before your Prospective Marriage visa ends.
Travel on your visa
You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want whilst your visa is valid.
First entry arrival date
If you are outside Australia at the time of visa grant, you must enter Australia before the first entry arrival date (first entry, arrive by) specified in your grant letter.
You can travel to Australia with an expired first entry arrival date if your visa is still valid. Your visa may still be subject to cancellation before arrival or at the border.
To see if your visa is still valid, use VEVO.
New Zealand passport holders
If an immigration officer processes your clearance at our border, we recommend you tell them:
- you have a Prospective Marriage visa
- you do not want a Special Category visa (subclass 444).
If you do not tell them, you might be granted a 444 visa. Grant of a subclass 444 visa will override your Prospective Marriage visa.
Do not get another visa
As a subclass 300 visa holder, you are eligible to pay a lower visa application charge for the Partner visa (subclasses 820 and 801) application.
If you are granted any other visa, the new visa will replace your subclass 300 visa. This means you may need to pay a higher visa application charge when you apply for the Partner visa (subclasses 820 and 801).
Prove you have a visa
To prove you have a visa and show your conditions to someone, use VEVO.
Australian visas are digital. We do not put a visa label in your passport. Instead, we link your digital visa record to your passport.
Your visa number is contained in your visa grant letter. Use this number to access your digital visa record in VEVO.
Your digital visa record is also used by:
- airlines to check your visa before you board your flight
- Australian government agencies to check your identity and visa conditions
- employers, banks or other registered organisations to check your visa conditions.
Working
With this visa you will have full work rights and are protected by Australian workplace law. See your workplace rights and entitlements.
Studying
With this visa you will be able to study in Australia. However you will not receive any government support and any study costs will be at your own expense.
Bring a family member
You cannot add family members to your visa application after we grant your Prospective Marriage visa subclass 300.
To find a visa for a family member, explore visa options.
Newborn children
If you have a baby after you have been granted this visa, you need to let us know. For more information, see You had a baby.
If your relationship ends
Depending on your situation you may need to complete the Notification of Relationship Cessation form in ImmiAccount. To confirm, check Your relationship has changed.
Your online safety
To ensure your personal safety online we recommend that you:
- change your ImmiAccount password as soon as possible
- do not use saved passwords to access your ImmiAccount
- change your email password or consider setting up a new email account.
To see how you can increase your personal safety you can use the eSafety Commissioner’s online safety checklist
If you do not have access to ImmiAccount, you can notify us using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
You may still be eligible for the Partner visa (subclasses 820 and 801) if your relationship ends or your partner dies. All information you provide is confidential.
You must be in Australia to apply for the Partner visa (subclasses 820 and 801).
If you are experiencing domestic and family violence, we may be able to help you. You may still be eligible for the grant of your temporary and permanent visa. For more information, see Domestic and family violence and your visa.
Tell us if your details have changed
See here for changes to your contact details, address or passport
Tell us if things change
You must tell us about:
- the birth of a child
- any other changes relevant to your application.
See what to do if there is a change in your situation.
If you do not have access to ImmiAccount you can let us know by completing the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
Reading asFor Sponsors
Overview
Stay
The visa applicant can stay between 9 and 15 months from date of grant of visa.
Government charge
No cost
Processing times
Prospective Marriage visa applicants may experience longer processing times than expected. For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.
Applications are processed according to Ministerial Direction 117. For more information, see Family visa processing priorities.
You can find the answers to common questions about Partner visa processing times at Partner Visa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
With this sponsorship you can
- have your prospective spouse stay, work and study in Australia temporarily
- marry your prospective spouse.
You must
You must sponsor your prospective spouse and their family members included in their application.
Before the visa ends, you and your prospective spouse must marry and your prospective spouse should apply for a Partner visa.
As a sponsor, you accept responsibility for the following:
- Any debts that your prospective spouse or their family members owe the Australian government.
- Compliance by the applicant and their family members with all relevant legislation and awards in relation to their employment in Australia.
- Ensuring your prospective spouse and their family members comply with the conditions of their visa and obey Australian laws.
Apply
About this visa
Who you can sponsor
Your sponsorship covers the main visa applicant and any of their family members who are granted the visa.
Your obligations
Before the visa ends:
- you and your prospective spouse must marry
- your prospective spouse should apply for a Partner visa.
As a sponsor, you accept responsibility for the following:
- Any debts that your prospective spouse or their family members owe the Australian government.
- Any obligations your prospective spouse and their family members have to their employer in Australia.
- Ensuring your prospective spouse and their family members comply with the conditions of their visa and obey Australian laws.
Cost
No cost.
How long sponsorship lasts
Your sponsorship starts when we grant your prospective spouse a Prospective Marriage visa and ends when that visa ceases.
Apply to sponsor
You can be inside or outside Australia when you apply to sponsor.
Frequently asked questions
You can find the answers to common questions about this visa at Partner Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Eligibility
You must meet all of these criteria to be eligible to sponsor your prospective spouse.
Be suitable to sponsor
You must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
If you are a New Zealand citizen and you do not meet the eligibility criteria to sponsor your spouse or de facto partner for this visa, your partner might be eligible for a New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa (subclass 461).
We must approve your sponsorship for you to sponsor your prospective spouse and any family members who apply with them.
Meet our character requirements
Most sponsors will need to meet our character requirements to be eligible to sponsor someone for this visa.
We might not approve you as a sponsor if:
- you have a significant criminal record in relation to relevant offences,
- you refuse to provide us with a police clearance or
- you do not consent to disclosure of your convictions to the applicant.
We do not include convictions for relevant offences that have been quashed or otherwise nullified or pardoned.
Measures for the protection of children
There are limitations on sponsorship if the sponsor has been convicted of certain offences involving children.
For more information see Measures for the protection of children.
Be 18 years of age or older
To be eligible to sponsor your prospective spouse for this visa, you must be 18 years of age or older.
Limitations on sponsorship
We may refuse your sponsorship application and the visa application if the below sponsorship limitations apply to you.
Previously sponsored or held a Prospective Marriage or Partner visa
We may refuse your sponsorship and your partner’s visa application if:
- this is your third time sponsoring someone for a Partner visa or Prospective Marriage visa
- you have sponsored another partner within the last 5 years or
- you were sponsored as a partner within the last 5 years.
You might still be able to sponsor someone for this visa in circumstances where:
- you and your partner (the applicant) have a dependent child who is dependent on each of you or
- your previous partner died or
- your previous partner left the relationship and there are children dependent on you for care and support or
- your relationship with your partner (the applicant) is longstanding.
Contributory Parent visa holders
We may refuse your sponsorship and your partner’s visa application if:
- your partner was your spouse or de facto partner before we granted you that visa, and
- it has been less than 5 years since we granted you that visa.
Woman at Risk (subclass 204) visa holders
We may refuse your sponsorship and your partner’s visa application if you were granted a subclass 204 visa in the 5 years before your partner applied and:
- on the date that you were granted that visa you were divorced or permanently separated from the applicant, or
- the applicant was your spouse or de facto partner but you did not tell us about them at the time.
Forced marriage
We may refuse your partner’s visa application if you and your partner are found to be at risk of forced marriage. Forced marriage is a crime in Australia.
Forced marriage is when a person (or both people) gets married without freely and fully consenting. They may be tricked, threatened or pressured into getting married, or they are incapable of understanding the nature and effect of a marriage ceremony, for reasons including age or mental capacity.
If you or someone you know is in, or at risk of, a forced marriage you can seek help. For more information, see Forced marriage | Attorney-General's Department.
Step by step
Follow this step by step guide.
1Before you apply
Before you apply to sponsor a visa applicant, make sure:
- the applicant is eligible for the visa
- you can meet your sponsor obligations.
Processing times
Prospective Marriage visa applicants may experience longer processing times than expected. For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your partner’s visa application.
Applications are processed according to Ministerial Direction 117. For more information, see Family visa processing priorities.
You can find the answers to common questions about Partner visa processing times at Partner Visa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Get help with your sponsorship application
Only some people can help you with your sponsorship application. If you appoint someone to give you immigration assistance they must be:
You can appoint anyone to receive documents on your behalf relating to your sponsorship matter.
2Gather and prepare your documents
You should provide all required information with your application, or as soon as possible after applying to sponsor a visa applicant.
Ensure that all information you provide is accurate. As a sponsorship applicant, you must prove your identity and provide true information with your application.
For more information see Providing accurate information.
Identity documents
You must provide evidence that you are an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
You must provide:
- a copy of your passport
- a copy of your birth certificate
- a photo of your face.
If you are an Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, you must provide evidence that you usually live in Australia. This evidence can include documents that show you:
- maintain a home in Australia
- work in Australia
- own property, business or other interests in Australia
- have family and other ties in the same place you live.
Character documents
To show you meet the additional sponsor requirements, you need to provide an Australian police certificate.
We only accept complete disclosure National Police Certificates issued by the Australian Federal Police. We do not accept standard disclosure certificates or national police certificates issued by Australian state or territory police.
To get an Australian police certificate see National Police Checks.
You also need to provide an overseas police certificate from every country where you spent a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years since you turned 16.To get an overseas police certificate, see Services outside Australia.
For immigration purposes, police certificates are valid for 12 months from the issue date. If they expire before we decide the visa application, we will let you know if you need to provide them again. You must also provide written consent for us to disclose any convictions for relevant offences to the visa applicant.
Prepare your documents
Translate
Have all documents translated into English.
Provide original and translated documents in your application.
Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).
Translators outside Australia do not have to be accredited. On each translation, they must include their:
- full name
- address and telephone number
- qualifications and experience in the language they are translating.
These details must be in English.
You do not need to have any documents certified.
Scan or photograph
Scan or photograph all documents (English and non-English) in colour.
The scans and photos must be clear enough to read.
If a document is more than one page, save it all as one file.
3Apply
You must apply online.
You can be inside or outside Australia when you apply to sponsor.
Apply after the applicant has applied for their visa and given you their Transaction Reference Number (TRN) or application ID.
You can apply using your partner’s ImmiAccount or your own ImmiAccount. You can create your own ImmiAccount if you don’t have one.
Using our website and protections to your privacy
We take our obligation to protect your privacy seriously. We provide a secure online environment, but you can do more to ensure your personal safety online:
- Make sure you give us your contact details when you apply to sponsor and tell us if they have changed. We may need to contact you directly even if you have:
- appointed your partner or someone else to receive your correspondence as your authorised recipient
- appointed someone to give you immigration assistance.
- Protect your ImmiAccount, email account and passwords. Don’t share them with anyone.
For more information see Using our website.
How to apply
- Log in to ImmiAccount.
- Select ‘New application’.
- Select ‘Family’.
- Select ‘Sponsorship for a Partner to Migrate to Australia’.
- Complete your application using the transaction reference number (TRN) given to you by the visa applicant.
- Attach documents.
Frequently asked questions
A list of common questions and answers is available at Partner Visa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
4After you apply
We will let you know in ImmiAccount when we have received your application.
Attach more information
If you did not attach all documents when you applied, attach them to your application in ImmiAccount as soon as you can.
We will ask you to provide more information if needed.
For more information on attaching documents in ImmiAccount see Applying online or paper.
If you are unable to upload the relevant documents to your application in ImmiAccount, you need to contact us using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
Tell us if things change
Tell us if things change after you apply, but before we have made a decision on the visa application.
Things you need to let us know about include:
- changes to your contact details
- changes to your relationship.
For more information, see Change in your situation.
After you have updated us in ImmiAccount, let us know by using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
If your relationship ends
Contact us as soon as possible using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
Your online safety
We are committed to protecting your privacy and providing a secure online environment, but you can do more to ensure your safety.
To see how you can increase your personal safety, check the eSafety Commissioner’s online safety checklist page.
Your partner may not be granted a visa because of your information about the ending of your relationship, however, the Department will not correspond with you about your ex-partner’s visa application. You can also withdraw your sponsorship application any time before we decide the visa application.
For more information, see Your relationship has changed.
If you are experiencing domestic and family violence, we may be able to help you. For more information, see Domestic and family violence and your visa.
Withdraw your sponsorship application
You can withdraw your sponsorship application any time before we make a decision on the visa application.
Contact us as soon as possible using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
Removing an online application from ImmiAccount does not withdraw it. You must tell us in writing that you no longer want to sponsor your former partner or spouse.
For more information, see Your relationship has changed.
5Sponsor application outcome
We will let the visa applicant know our decision in writing.
When you are a sponsor
Your obligations
You must sponsor your prospective spouse and their family members included in their application.
As a sponsor, you undertake to accept responsibility for the following:
- Any debts that your prospective spouse or their children owe the Australian government.
- Any obligations your prospective spouse and their family members have to their employer in Australia.
- Ensuring your prospective spouse and their children comply with the conditions of their visa and obey Australian laws.
How long sponsorship lasts
Your sponsorship starts when we grant your prospective spouse and any family members included in their application a Prospective Marriage visa, and ends when that visa ceases.
Tell us if things change
If your situation has changed, you need to tell us. For more information see Changes in your situation.
Withdraw your sponsorship
You cannot withdraw your sponsorship after we grant the visa.
If you are experiencing domestic and family violence, there is support available. For more information, see Family Violence Provisions.
Official source: Department of Home Affairs, immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. © Commonwealth of Australia. Refer to the source website for its copyright and conditions of use.
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Next step
Have a visa question or need help getting started?
A 30-minute consultation gives us time to discuss your circumstances, consider initial options and identify the documents that need checking. Some matters require a further review of the records before I can give a complete assessment.