Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage visa — strategy + intent evidence

Draft the Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage application for [APPLICANT_NAME] (intending spouse) sponsored by [SPONSOR_NAME] (Australian sponsor). Engagement date: [ENGAGEMENT_DATE].

Subclass 300 is the engagement-stage visa for couples who have a formal commitment to marry but haven't yet married. The visa allows applicant to enter Australia, marry within 9 months, then apply for Subclass 820 onshore.

§1 — ELIGIBILITY (150-200 words)

Subclass 300 criteria (Sch 2):
  (a) Applicant outside Australia at application + decision
  (b) Sponsored by eligible Australian citizen / PR / eligible NZ citizen
  (c) Applicant and sponsor have MET IN PERSON (s.5F + Reg 1.20J) — this is non-negotiable
  (d) Genuine intention to marry within 9 months of grant
  (e) Both free to marry (no existing marriages)
  (f) Both 18+ years of age
  (g) PIC 4001, 4007, 4020 met
  (h) Sponsor approved

CRITICAL: "Met in person" requirement (Reg 1.20J):
  ▪ Couple must have met as adults
  ▪ In-person, not video / phone
  ▪ Aware of each other's relevant personal circumstances
  ▪ Evidence: passport stamps, joint photos, joint travel records

Met-in-person waiver:
  ▪ Available only on "compelling reasons" — very narrow (e.g. medical emergency preventing travel)
  ▪ COVID-era waivers no longer routinely granted
  ▪ Indian-context: family arranged + sponsor's first travel post-engagement is standard — document it carefully

§2 — RELATIONSHIP NARRATIVE (200-250 words)

[IN_PERSON_MEETING] — document:
  ▪ When couple first met in person (date + city + circumstances)
  ▪ Duration of first meeting
  ▪ Who else was present (family, community)
  ▪ Subsequent in-person meetings if any
  ▪ Passport stamps proving each visit
  ▪ Joint photos from each visit

Engagement details:
  ▪ Date + format (Roka / Sagai / engagement Mass / formal engagement at home)
  ▪ Religious + civil aspects of engagement
  ▪ Engagement ring exchange (if applicable)
  ▪ Family involvement
  ▪ Engagement invitation card
  ▪ Engagement ceremony photos / video

Demonstration of commitment to marry:
  ▪ Wedding venue booked OR shortlisted with deposit
  ▪ Wedding date set
  ▪ Wedding invitation card (provisional / printed)
  ▪ Wedding plans communicated to families (both sides)
  ▪ Joint statements of intention to marry within 9 months

§3 — WEDDING PLAN (150-200 words)

[WEDDING_PLAN] — detail:

Wedding venue:
  ▪ Australia / India / third country
  ▪ Specific venue (banquet hall, gurdwara, mosque, church, temple, registry office)
  ▪ Booking confirmation with date

Wedding date:
  ▪ Specific or window
  ▪ Must be within 9 months of Subclass 300 grant
  ▪ Allow buffer (6-7 months typical to allow visa grant + planning)

Wedding format:
  ▪ Religious ceremony (which religion + officiant)
  ▪ Civil registration (where + which authority)
  ▪ Guest count + categories

Post-wedding plan:
  ▪ Application for Subclass 820 onshore Partner immediately post-wedding
  ▪ Cohabitation in Australia
  ▪ Sponsor's housing arrangement

§4 — FORM 888 SUPPORT (100-120 words)

Form 888 statutory declarations for Subclass 300:
  ▪ Australian citizens / PRs only
  ▪ Witness signature requirement
  ▪ 4-8 declarations typical
  ▪ Each declaration confirms:
    - Awareness of relationship
    - Genuineness of engagement
    - Couple's communicated intent to marry
    - Their personal interaction with the couple

Indian-context note: Sponsor's parents + adult siblings + close Australian family friends typically provide Form 888 declarations. Sponsor's pastor / priest / community leader can also be a witness.

§5 — STRATEGIC NOTES (150-200 words)

When Subclass 300 is the right choice (vs. waiting to marry + applying 309/820):

Advantages:
  ▪ Applicant can enter Australia + marry there with sponsor's family present
  ▪ Wedding planning in Australia
  ▪ Shorter overall timeline to PR (Subclass 300 + 9 months + 820 + 2 years = ~5-6 years total)
  ▪ Couple together during wedding planning

Disadvantages:
  ▪ Subclass 300 fee is high (A$8,850+)
  ▪ Subsequent Subclass 820 application also has fee (A$8,850+ at time of writing)
  ▪ Total cost: A$17,000+ for Partner pathway via 300
  ▪ Compared to direct 309/820: A$8,850 once
  ▪ Wedding must occur within 9 months — pressure if visa grant delayed
  ▪ If wedding does not occur, no path to remain in Australia

Indian-context realities:
  ▪ Most Indian families prefer wedding in India with full family attendance
  ▪ Subclass 300 is more common for couples where applicant is highly mobile (already studied abroad) or wedding is planned in Australia
  ▪ For most arranged marriages, direct 309 offshore is more cost-effective

§6 — CLOSING (60-80 words)

Filing checklist:
  ▪ Form 47SP + Form 40SP (sponsor)
  ▪ Engagement evidence (photos, invitation, certificate if any)
  ▪ Wedding plan (date + venue + officiant)
  ▪ In-person meeting evidence (passport stamps, photos)
  ▪ Form 888 statutory declarations
  ▪ Police + health checks
  ▪ Communication log

End with: "DRAFT SUBCLASS 300 STRATEGY — for MARN holder review. Confirm in-person meeting evidence is rock-solid (this is the #1 failure point). 9-month wedding window starts at grant — plan wedding date with buffer. For most Indian arranged-marriage cases, direct Subclass 309 offshore is more cost-effective than 300 + 820 staged."