Prospective Marriage Visa

This visa is for people who want to come to Australia to marry their prospective spouse

Settle in Australia

If you and your spouse wish to settle in Australia, you can apply for a Partner visa (subclass 820 and 801):

• After you are married, or
• Before your Prospective Marriage visa expires.

Include family members

You can include members of your family unit in your application:

• When you submit your visa application, or
• By adding a dependent child after you’ve lodged your application, but before we make a decision on your temporary visa.

Family members applying with you must:

• Be members of the family unit
• Meet our health requirements
• Meet our character requirements
• Be outside Australia

Family members who are not coming to Australia may also need to fulfill our health and character requirements.

Newborn Children
For information on what to do if your child is born after you apply, see “You Had a Baby.”

Apply for this visa

You must be outside of Australia when you apply for this visa, and any family members applying with you must also be outside Australia.

Your obligations

You and your family members must meet all visa conditions and comply with Australian laws.

For details on the conditions that may be attached to this visa, please visit our visa conditions page.

If you are outside Australia at the time your visa is granted, you must enter Australia before the initial arrival date specified in your grant letter.

Your Marriage
You must enter Australia on the Prospective Marriage visa before the date indicated in your grant letter.

You must marry 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
A forced marriage occurs when one or both individuals enter a marriage without giving their free and full consent. This can happen if they are deceived, threatened, pressured, or unable to understand the nature and consequences of the marriage ceremony due to factors such as age or mental capacity.

Forced marriage is a criminal offence in Australia.

Adequate health insurance

We recommend obtaining health insurance to cover any unexpected medical treatment you may need while in Australia, as you are personally responsible for all your healthcare costs during your stay. Having insurance can help reduce your financial liability.

For more information, see what we consider adequate health insurance.

Health Insurance for Overseas Visitors
Learn more about health insurance options for overseas visitors.

Reciprocal Healthcare Agreements
Some countries have reciprocal healthcare agreements with Australia. To find out more, visit Services Australia for information on these agreements.

Travel

Not had a visa cancelled or an application refused

We will take your immigration history into account when deciding on your application, meaning you may not be eligible for this visa if you have had a visa cancelled or refused.

In certain circumstances, you may still apply for a permanent visa even if you have had a visa cancelled or an application refused. For more information, see “Can I Go to Australia.”

Be outside Australia when you apply

You must be outside Australia when you apply for this visa, and any family members applying with you must also be outside Australia.

Have a sponsor

You and any family members applying for the visa with you must have a sponsor at the time you lodge your application and while you hold this visa.

Your sponsor will be your prospective spouse.

We must approve your sponsor.

Be the right age

You and your sponsor must both be 18 years old or older when you apply for this visa.

Meet relationship requirements

In most cases, your prospective spouse must be one of the following:

• An Australian citizen
• An Australian permanent resident
• An eligible New Zealand citizen

Your relationship can be with someone of the same sex or a different sex.

Health requirement

You and any family members applying for the visa with you must meet our health requirements. We may also request health information about family members who are not coming to Australia with you.

Character requirement

You and any family members aged 16 years and older who apply for the visa with you must meet our character requirements. We may also request character information about family members who are not coming to Australia with you.

Have no debt to the Australian Government

If you or any family members owe money to the Australian government, it must have been repaid or arrangements made to repay it. This requirement also applies to family members who are not accompanying you to Australia.

Sign the Australian values statement

You and any family members applying with you who are 18 years of age or older must:

• Have read, or had explained to you, the *Life in Australia* booklet.
• Sign an Australian Values Statement confirming that you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws.

How long will it take to get a decision on your visa?

50% of visas are processed within 14 months
90% of visas processed within 26 months

Processing Times Updated 1 November 2025