Prospective Marriage Visa Australia (Subclass 300) for Thai Fiancé(e)s
The prospective marriage visa in Australia is designed for engaged couples where one partner is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen and the couple intends to marry in Australia. The prospective marriage visa (subclass 300) allows the visa holder to enter Australia, marry their partner within nine months, and then apply for a partner visa to remain permanently. Australian Visas helps couples plan the right visa sequence from the start, so the pathway from engagement to permanent residency is as direct as possible.
Check if a Prospective Marriage Visa fits you.
Who the Subclass 300 Suits
The Australia prospective marriage visa suits couples who are engaged and intend to hold their wedding in Australia. It is not suitable for couples who have already married or who plan to marry in Thailand and then move to Australia: those couples should apply directly for a partner visa instead. Choosing the wrong pathway at the start creates delays and, in some cases, requires reapplying entirely.
The prospective marriage visa 300 may suit you if:
- You and your Australian partner are engaged but not yet married
- You intend to hold your wedding ceremony in Australia
- Your Australian partner is a citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- You are both free to marry under Australian law
- You have met your partner in person at least once since turning 18
Timelines and What to Expect
The prospective marriage visa (subclass 300) is a temporary visa valid for nine months from the date of entry into Australia. The Department of Home Affairs does not guarantee processing timeframes, but most applications currently take between 12 and 26 months to be decided. Couples should plan their engagement and wedding timeline around this processing window and avoid booking venues or setting firm wedding dates before the visa is granted.
Once in Australia and married, the visa holder must apply for the Australia prospective marriage visa partner pathway to remain in Australia permanently. This means the subclass 300 is the first stage in a two-visa sequence, not a standalone pathway to residency.
Marrying in Thailand or Australia: Why the Decision Matters
One of the most common questions Australian Visas receives from couples is whether to marry in Thailand before applying or to wait and marry in Australia on the subclass 300. The answer depends on your circumstances, and getting it wrong can affect processing times and costs significantly.
- If you marry in Thailand first, you are no longer eligible for the prospective marriage visa and must apply for a partner visa directly
- If you marry in Australia on the subclass 300, you then apply for the partner visa onshore, which allows you to remain in Australia during processing
- Couples with complex circumstances (for example, prior marriages, children, significant age gaps, or limited relationship history) may benefit from a partner visa application regardless of where they marry
Australian Visas assesses your full situation before recommending a pathway, so you are not making a decision with long-term consequences based on incomplete information.
What Australian Visas Does for Your Application
The prospective marriage visa in Australia requires evidence of a genuine relationship even though the couple is not yet married. The Department assesses the relationship across the same four categories used in partner visa applications: financial ties, social recognition, household circumstances, and commitment.
Our support for the prospective marriage visa 300 includes:
- Eligibility and pathway assessment before lodgement
- Preparation of relationship evidence across all four Department-assessed categories
- Statutory declarations for both the applicant and Australian sponsor
- Guidance on financial documentation and sponsor requirements
- Police clearances, health examinations, and biometrics coordination
- Online lodgement and ongoing case management through to grant
Clients choose to work with us because we are meticulous, experienced in Thai-Australian relationship cases, and focused on getting the application right the first time. If you’re curious to learn more, review our visa types and fees before your first consultation.
Start Planning Your Marriage Visa Pathway
The Australia prospective marriage visa sits within a longer visa sequence, and planning that sequence correctly from the start saves time, money, and the stress of avoidable complications. Australian Visas works with couples based in Thailand and across the region through our Thailand office.
Talk to a marriage visa specialist at Australian Visas today.
Marriage Visa – FAQs
Can I work in Australia on a Prospective Marriage Visa?
Yes. Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa holders have full work and study rights from the date the visa is granted. There are no restrictions on employers or industry. Most holders use this period to settle into Australian life, build local work history and prepare for the marriage and subsequent Partner Visa application, which is the next step in the pathway to permanent residency.
What happens if we don't get married within the 9-month window?
If you do not marry within 9 months of the visa grant date, the Subclass 300 visa expires and you must depart Australia. Extensions are not generally available. Where the marriage cannot proceed for genuine reasons such as illness or family circumstances, seek migration advice immediately, since staying in Australia typically requires applying for another pathway like a de facto Partner Visa.
Does the Thai applicant need to pass an English test?
No formal English language test is required for the Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa. Applicants without functional English at the time of the subsequent Partner Visa application may be required to pay a second Visa Application Charge of approximately AUD $5,375. For most Thai applicants, the practical impact of limited English is additional cost rather than visa refusal at the Subclass 300 stage.
Can we include children in a Subclass 300 application?
Yes. Dependent children under 23 (and dependent children with a disability of any age) can be included as secondary applicants in a Subclass 300 application. Children must meet health and character requirements, and additional charges apply per child. Once granted, included children share the same visa rights and conditions as the primary applicant, including the right to work and study in Australia.
Is a health examination required for the Marriage Visa?
Yes. All Subclass 300 applicants must complete a health examination conducted by a Department-approved panel physician. For Thai applicants, this is generally arranged through panel doctors in Bangkok. The standard exam includes a chest x-ray and a general medical assessment, with additional tests possible depending on age and individual circumstances. Health checks also apply to any dependents included in the application.
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