If you’re planning of getting married, you probably have a long list of things you need to do before the big day.
If you’re thinking of marrying an Australian, and you are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident yourself, there are additional things on that list if you also plan on getting married and settling in Australia.
What is a subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa?
A subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa (“PMV”) is exactly as it sounds. Holders of this visa can come to Australia to marry their prospective spouse, and then apply for a Partner Visa.
A PMV allows the holder to stay in Australia for between nine and 15 months from the date of the visa grant, with permission to work or study during that time. However, you must marry the person specified in your visa application before your visa ceases.
Who is eligible?
To apply for a PMV you need to be outside Australia, be over 18 years old, have an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen sponsor (your prospective spouse) and intend to marry before the visa period ends.
Pros and cons of the PMV
Here are some things to consider about the PMV:
- Pro – you get to come to Australia to marry your prospective spouse, then apply for a Partner Visa.
- Pro – the eligibility criteria for a PMV is simpler than for a Partner Visa.
- Con – you still need to apply for a Partner visa (before your PMV period ends).
- Con – the PMV period (between nine and 15 months) starts from the date of visa grant, not the date you enter Australia for the first time, and you have a limited time in which to have your dream wedding as you must be married before the PMV period ends.
- Con – you must be offshore, outside of Australia, when lodging your PMV application and no bridging visa will be granted, compared to when applying for an onshore Partner Visa (subclass 820) would entitle you to one.
- Con – the processing times for the PMV visa is between eight and 37 months*. When compared with the offshore Partner visa (subclass 309) at 10-38 months* and the onshore Partner visa (subclass 820) at six to 39 months*, the PMV is no quicker.
- Con – the cost of a PMV application is AUD8,085*, and then when you apply for an onshore Partner visa (subclass 820) as a PMV holder, you are charged an additional application fee of AUD1,310*. The offshore Partner visa is also AUD8,085*, but an onshore Partner visa (subclass 820) is slightly less expensive at AUD7,850*.
* subject to change
So if you’re thinking of getting married to an Australian, Congratulations! The team at KU Legal would love to discuss how we can help you tick “Get my Australian Visa sorted” off that wedding to-do list. Get in touch with our migration specialists:
+61 (0) 429 133 911
jb@kulegal.com.au
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