300 Prospective Marriage Visa
Submission WalkthroughChecklist of items to compile and some additional information about each
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Hints and Tips
Some hints on things you can do to help the process
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Q&A
Popular questions and answers about the Prospective Marriage visa and the process.
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Submission Walkthrough
The Australian websites give you some great advice on what to submit but sometimes the advice isn't always clear and at times an example might be easier to understand what they are looking for.
My wife and I have successfully been through the process, so happy to share our thoughts and experiences to help others about to go through the same time-consuming and expensive process.
My wife and I have successfully been through the process, so happy to share our thoughts and experiences to help others about to go through the same time-consuming and expensive process.
ImmiAccount
The ImmiAccount will be the start of the process. Go to the website ImmiAccount and create an account to start the process. This will be the web portal from which you will pay and submit your forms.
Form 47SP and Form 40SP
- The person applying for the visa should fill in the 47SP form
- The person sponsoring the visa should fill in the 40SP form
- Both these forms can be filled in via the ImmiAccount online. I recommend downloading the pdf and filling it in first so it's easier for the online version. There are a few questions which may require more time (countries lived in and family information)
Passport/Birth Certificate
- Scan and print a copy of the photo page from your passport and get it certified. Once certified you can scan it and attach it as part of your submission.
- Same as above for the birth certificate.
Relationship History
Both of you need to fill out a history of your relationship. 1 or 2 page summary would suffice.. I wrote 9 pages detailing the relationship chronologically but there's no need to go into that detail. Just remember to list important events such as how you met, traveling together, proposal and meeting the parents.
Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM)
I was not married in Australia but was married in Japan, so in place of this I had my pastor from Japan fill in a document with official letterhead of the required information in English.
If you are marrying in Australia, you may be asked by your case officer to submit the NOIM for the Prospective Marriage visa but it depends on the person assigned. If you can, recommendation would be to submit it earlier than later.
If you are marrying in Australia, you may be asked by your case officer to submit the NOIM for the Prospective Marriage visa but it depends on the person assigned. If you can, recommendation would be to submit it earlier than later.
Photo Documentation
The Photo album should contain significant moments in your relationship. Things like:
- How you met
- First trip together
- Proposal
- First time meeting each others' families
Character and Health
- For the health check the applicant will need to go to a hospital for the health examination. It's a good idea to call first to ask what you need and if they are able to submit your health examination. Not sure if all hospitals in Japan can do this. They will submit it directly to the embassy for processing with your application.
- Form 888 (https://www.border.gov.au/Forms/Documents/888.pdf)
Remember also to get a certified copy of their passports.
We also asked a friend from Japan to write an English character letter to support our submission.
AFP National Police Check
- http://www.afp.gov.au/what-we-do/police-checks/national-police-checks
- Both appicant and sponsor need to get a police check
Certified Copies
I was fortunate to have a friend (GP) who was able to help with certification, also a Justice of the Peace at my workplace.
Refer to the Q&A section for places you can go to get free and paid certified copies in Sydney and Tokyo.
Refer to the Q&A section for places you can go to get free and paid certified copies in Sydney and Tokyo.
Hints and Tips
- It's better to submit more than submitting again and again which slows the process down. If in doubt, contact the immigration office or your case officer.
- For the photo documentation, use photos where you are with family and friends as it has a bigger impact showing social activities with other people.
- It takes a while for a case officer to be assigned your submission, so if you have a short timeline to marriage submit and continue to add documents while waiting for it to be assigned.
- Make sure your files have appropriate filenames so they are easy to locate For example: SponsorPassportIdentity_<FIrstname><Lastname>.pdf
- Remember to use colour scans for your passport and other documents.
- If you have questions about the visa ask and call them. It can also help speed up the process.
Q&A
Should we get an agent?
If you believe that your circumstances are complicated, an agent may be the best and can also help speed up the process. There are agents which have free consultations so could be a good idea to look into it.
If you don't mind doing some homework and putting in the time you can save on what is already an expensive visa. Use the money you save for the wedding.
If you believe that your circumstances are complicated, an agent may be the best and can also help speed up the process. There are agents which have free consultations so could be a good idea to look into it.
If you don't mind doing some homework and putting in the time you can save on what is already an expensive visa. Use the money you save for the wedding.
How long does it take to get the visa from submission?
The processing time is expected to be 1 year but for us it took only 7 months before it was granted. Actually the visa was available before the 7 months time but due to timing of the year was delayed by a month or two.
The processing time is expected to be 1 year but for us it took only 7 months before it was granted. Actually the visa was available before the 7 months time but due to timing of the year was delayed by a month or two.
What happens after getting married? Is there a bridging visa?
After getting married you should apply for the Temporary Partner Visa and when the Prospective Marriage Visa expires it automatically becomes a bridging visa until the Temporary Partner Visa is confirmed.
So just make sure you apply before your Prospective Marriage Visa expires.
After getting married you should apply for the Temporary Partner Visa and when the Prospective Marriage Visa expires it automatically becomes a bridging visa until the Temporary Partner Visa is confirmed.
So just make sure you apply before your Prospective Marriage Visa expires.
Where can I get my documents certified?
In Sydney there are many places which provide free certification services.
2-1-14 Mita, Minato, Tokyo 108-8361, Japan
In Sydney there are many places which provide free certification services.
- Most shopping centres have certain days and times in which a person will certify documents.
- Town Hall station office has someone who can certify documents.
- Post Offices can certify documents (but may cost a small fee).
2-1-14 Mita, Minato, Tokyo 108-8361, Japan
Links
Partner Migration Booklet
http://www.border.gov.au/Forms/Documents/1127.pdf
Section 5 discusses the Prospective Marriage Visa including requirements and forms to submit
http://www.border.gov.au/Forms/Documents/1127.pdf
Section 5 discusses the Prospective Marriage Visa including requirements and forms to submit
Prospective Marriage Visa Checklist
https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/300-/Prospective-Marriage-visa-%28subclass-300%29-document-checklist
Complete checklist of what to submit. More straightforward than the Migration booklet.
https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/300-/Prospective-Marriage-visa-%28subclass-300%29-document-checklist
Complete checklist of what to submit. More straightforward than the Migration booklet.