Hi all,
I'd really appreciate your advice!
I am currently in the UK looking to move to Australia in May 2013. I am thinking I should get the ball rolling on my defacto visa but I am concerned that it will be declined because my partner and I are going to be living apart for the next year.
We have been in a relationship for 3 1/2 years and lived together in London for just under 2 years. We are currently living apart with me in the UK and him in Australia because his working holiday visa expired in February. I have stayed in the UK because I have one more year of my training contract left until I get my accountancy qualificiation (I will complete it the end of May 2013).
I originally intended to apply for a skilled migrant visa but I realise I won't be able to start that application until I've finished my qualification and it sounds like skilled migrant visas take a lot longer to come through.
I am therefore thinking I should apply for a 309 Offshore de facto visa with my partner, however I understand that they tend to give you a certain date that you must enter Australia by?
I am also concerned that the fact that we are going to be living apart for the next year will stop a visa being granted. My partner had a lot of difficulties finding work in the UK and we hadn't been living together long enough for a UK defacto visa (they ask for 2 years). I am employed in the UK in a 3 year training contract and have a year left to go until I am a qualified Chartered Accountant. We have lots of evidence of our relationship and rented a flat in London together.
Does anyone have any advice or can offer an opinion on our situation?
What is the normal length of time this kind of application takes? Being away from him for a year is hard enough, I don't want to have it extended by waiting for a visa
Also, regarding the prospective marriage visa, do you have the whole 9 months to enter Australia (i.e. can you enter Australia 8 months after the visa is granted and marry in the last month) or is there a shorter deadline for entering?
Thanks in advance for your help!