[mstuartuk]

Hi there;

First of all, thanks for taking the time to read my post.

My current situation is that I had a 457 Visa but the company has gone into liquidation, leaving me 28 days to find a new sponsor or get out.

Previously, I have spend 2 full years on WHV before my 457.

I live with my Australian partner, however this has only been for 8 months and she is legally still married to her ex.

I am contemplating a number of potential visas but so far nothing is proving fruitful.

My first choice is to find a new job with sponsorship.

Second choice is to speak to a friend of my partner, who has her own events management company and could potentially sponsor me - while I do, I believe, fulfill the requirements for the job role, she may not actually need me, so it would be a sponsorship without a job, although the immigration department wouldn't need to know that really.

Third choice is to apply to become a student. It's more expensive, but it is a viable option, I believe; however I am travelling to England for three weeks in June to attend a wedding - would that cause my student visa to be invalidated by missing classes?

Obviously; I intend to apply for De Facto when the 12 months comes around, however I do need to get through the next four months first.

Does anyone have any advice or recommendations on what I could do to secure a visa, even a short term one?

My education history is a Bachelor Degree of Business Management & French (Joint Honours) and Work History is 4 years as a chef (without any commercial cookery qualifications, however) and one year experience as a restaurant manager.

Please do let me know if you have any advice.

Thanks again for taking the time to read this post.

 

[whatnext]

I don't believe your second choice will work. The employer will have to prove the position is required and must be eligible to be a sponsor.

Also it is the employers responsibility to make sure you are doing the job you are sponsored for. It's a massive risk for any employer to sponsor you the way you suggest. Not only that it's fraudulent. You would not also be able to work anywhere else unless it's cash in hand.

I think your best option is to seek another "real" sponsor or if that fails you could try the student visa.

If you choose the student option you must have an attendance rate of 80%. May differ depending on the school or uni. If you fall below the 80% the school can report you to immigration and your visa may be cancelled. Although I know of I few people who didn't attend many classes and it didn't catch up to them until a few months later but you don't want something like that on your record if you plan to apply for a defacto visa.

 

[Maz25]

To add to the above post, I would also strongly recommend that you speak to a migration advice to get some professional advice on your available options. Their first consultation is normally free and they will be able to guide you in terms of the visa classes that you may possibly qualify for and your chances of securing a visa.

Once you have some options, you can just apply for the visa on your own.

Have you started looking for a new job? The fact that you are available for interviews and have that much sought after local experience will work in your favour. Try contacting some of your employer's clients and competitors as they are the ones who would know your abilities a little better than most and would therefore be more likely to offer sponsorship.

Good luck.

 

[Zultan]

You easiest option will be to leave the country when your visa expires, maintain a detailed record of evidence of your long distance relationship - then after you have a been in a defacto relationship for 12 months submit your visa application offshore.