Visa Options

[Bubbles12]

Hi There - I have been through many posts and other internet research but cannot find anything definitive to help. I hope someone on this site can provide some useful insight.

Been in Australia for 6 months on my partners 457 (the benefits of the 457 are fantastic BTW). However, if the 457 is withdrawn (due to current economic climate) I understand we will have 30 days to leave the country or find another sponsor.

Therefore, i have been looking into other options in case this happens (or just for added security. We are both charterred accountants and have enough points for the skilled independent visa. I have also started my own business here (I think I have no restrictions to do this on the 457 defacto!) and therefore someone mentioned I may be able to apply for a business visa (but having done some research on this there appears to be many criteria to fulfill).

I assume no other visa has as many tax benefits as the 457. Can anyone help with what Visa I should go for.

Assuming the 175 is way forward (cost $2105), and I obtain this in my own name only (so my partner doesnt lose the 457 benefits), if she is to lose her 457 status after my 175 has been issued, what options are there for her to stay in the country?

BTW - can one person have 2 visas at any stage? Was thinking of starting a 175 application in my partners name as well as my name so that she has security of her own.

Any help is appreciated
Thanks

[SOMV]

Bubbles here are some brief answers (in italics):

Been in Australia for 6 months on my partners 457 (the benefits of the 457 are fantastic BTW). However, if the 457 is withdrawn (due to current economic climate) I understand we will have 30 days to leave the country or find another sponsor.

You only have 28 days to lodge another visa or leave the country.

Therefore, i have been looking into other options in case this happens (or just for added security. We are both charterred accountants and have enough points for the skilled independent visa. I have also started my own business here (I think I have no restrictions to do this on the 457 defacto!) and therefore someone mentioned I may be able to apply for a business visa (but having done some research on this there appears to be many criteria to fulfill).

If you have started your own business and it is doing quite well then you may even be able to apply for a 457 self sponsored visa. But this is a complicated route and I would strongly suggest that you get more advice.

I assume no other visa has as many tax benefits as the 457. Can anyone help with what Visa I should go for.

The 457 is the one with the great tax benefits. But of course the drawback is that it is not permanent and ties you to your employer. Although, I have heard that the living away from home tax benefits apply throughout Australia, to all Australians. So it may be that you can enjoy similar benefits just by virtue of moving interstate. I am not a tax adviser so I am not 100% sure about this, it would need to be checked out.

Assuming the 175 is way forward (cost $2105), and I obtain this in my own name only (so my partner doesnt lose the 457 benefits), if she is to lose her 457 status after my 175 has been issued, what options are there for her to stay in the country?

If you do apply for the 175 you will have to declare your partner anyway. But if you choose not to have her added to the application as a migrating partner - again this is not straight forward - then once you have your permanent visa she should be able to make an application for a spouse/ de facto partner visa.

BTW - can one person have 2 visas at any stage? Was thinking of starting a 175 application in my partners name as well as my name so that she has security of her own.

You can hold one visa and apply for another visa at the same time, but you can only ever have one visa at a time. So you will continue on the 457 while your 175 is being processed, but once your 175 is granted it will take over the 457.

Cheers,
Veronika