Common Questions and Answers About a Prospective Marriage Visa

When you meet someone overseas whom you want to marry, you will need to obtain a prospective marriage visa in order to bring that person to Australia for a wedding. But before you embark on that process, here are some commonly asked questions to help you navigate your way and achieve success.

What Are the Rules for Me as a Sponsor?

If you're the one sponsoring the prospective marriage visa, you have to be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or a citizen of New Zealand to qualify as a legal sponsor. Any other category of residency status will not allow you to apply for this visa.

What Are the Requirements for the Person I Am Sponsoring?​ 

The person for whom you are sponsoring the visa has to be someone that you want to marry and cohabitate with as a married couple. The person can't be someone that you haven't met in person, so if you have never met your loved one, and are conducting your relationship exclusively online or on the phone, you will not be able to obtain this visa. The person you are sponsoring can't be of the same gender, meaning that if you're a woman, you can't sponsor another woman for this visa, and if you're a man, you can't sponsor a man. If you are involved in a same-sex relationship, the visa you must apply for is a partner visa. Another requirement for the sponsored person is that they must be at least 18 at the time of the visa application, and they must undergo a physical within 12 months of the visa application. You must also provide law enforcement documentation for the past 10 years for the person you are sponsoring, and that person can't owe the Australian government any money.

How Long Does the Visa Last? 

Once you've obtained a prospective marriage visa, you have nine months from the date the visa is issued to bring your loved one into the country and perform a marriage ceremony. It's important that you prevent any delays, because a prospective marriage visa cannot be renewed or extended.

What Other Benefits Does the Visa Conver? 

In addition to allowing your loved one to come into the country, the prospective marriage visa also allows that person to travel freely in and out of Australia as many times as desired within the nine month period for which the visa is valid. A person holding this visa can also work in the country, or attend school for that nine-month period.


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