Prospective Marriage Visa
Also known as the “fiancé visa,” this temporary visa is for couples who are engaged and plan to marry in Australia. It allows your partner to come to Australia so you can marry here, then apply for a partner visa afterwards.
Who can apply
- You and your partner genuinely intend to marry within the visa’s validity period
- You’ve met each other in person, as adults, before applying
- Both partners are 18 years or older
- Your sponsor is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Your relationship is genuine, and you intend to live together as a married couple
What’s changed this year
Decision-ready lodgement now applies here too. Following the Department’s April 2026 Partner Processing Newsletter, case officers generally issue only one request for further information before deciding your case. Your evidence of meeting in person and your engagement should be complete at lodgement, since this visa’s onward Partner Visa application will face the same standard. Visa application charges also rose significantly from 1 July 2026 — confirm the current figure before budgeting.
Why this differs from a partner visa
The Prospective Marriage Visa is a pathway, not a final visa — once you marry in Australia within the visa period, you’ll then need to apply for a Partner Visa (820/801) to stay permanently. It’s the right option when you’re engaged but not yet married, and your partner needs to be in Australia to plan and hold the wedding.
What’s involved
- Evidence that you’ve met in person and have a genuine relationship, including a genuine intention to marry — complete at lodgement, not added afterward
- A sponsorship application from your partner
- Health and character checks
- Government application charge, set and updated by the Department of Home Affairs
Common reasons applications stall
Evidence of having met in person is checked closely for this visa, along with genuine wedding planning — vague or undated evidence is a common reason for delays. Under the 2026 one-response standard, there’s less room to fix this after lodgement. We help clients document this clearly from the outset, including how the relationship developed and concrete wedding plans where possible.