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In a massive relief to couples in marriage limbo, the Australian government declared that existing prospective marriage visa holders (Subclass 300), who applied for a visa at least 12 months ago, will be eligible for an inward travel exemption.

Highlights:

• Prospective Marriage visa (PMV) holders (Subclass 300) now eligible for inward exemption 12 months after visa application submission
• PMV holders still need to apply for individual inward travel exemption
• Change may allow 1600 people to apply for inward exemption

On 18 August, the department gave some leeway to PMV holders making them eligible for an individual inward exemption 12 months after the date of lodging their visa application.

As per the new rule, a PMV holder can apply for an inward exemption in the following circumstances:

• where the Subclass 300 visa has been granted, and
• the Subclass 300 visa application was lodged at least 12 months before submitting a travel exemption request

“This means if you applied for a Subclass 300 visa on or before 18 August 2020, and you have now been granted your Subclass 300 visa; you are eligible for an inwards travel exemption on 18 August 2021,” the website states.

The decision further states that eligible PMV holders would still require to apply for a travel exemption from the Australian Border Force and would also have to supply appropriate evidence to support their relationship status.

Announcing the change, Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said the decision needed to be balanced against safeguarding the health of Australians through travel restrictions.

“Allowing prospective marriage visa holders to apply for an exemption to come to Australia, get married and start their lives here, will bring relief to those whose plans have been disrupted for so long by COVID-19,” she said on 18 August.

This announcement is expected to allow 1600 visa holders to apply for an exemption.

Source：https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/epic-win-prospective-marriage-visa-holders-can-now-get-inward-exemptions-to-travel-to-australia