My partner and I are going for a de facto visa. I was just concerned about the strength of our case. I'm Welsh, he's Aussie, 20 and 25 respectively.
Background:
We met in June 2014. Exclusive almost immediately. He worked FIFO until December 2014; we got a letter off his employers for proof. Usually 2 weeks on, 1 week together, with some exceptions, in Brisbane. All my mail was sent to that address from August onwards. We rented a room, so were not able to contribute to bills together. The people we rented off are close friends and would happily provide a written statement that we lived at that address. I did not contribute to rent, at my partner's say-so. I travelled down to Melbourne instead because of work, which I can't get any proof for due to it being mainly cash.
Registered relationship in November 2014. Have two joint bank accounts, one transaction and one savings where all my wages go to the former, and lots of proof from August of co-habitation, as well as financial support of each other and social context (one holiday together, one more coming up in May 2015 to meet his family) and several events and weddings, shared gym, couples dancing lessons, etc...
I visited my family for a month overseas in September 2014 though, and then came back in October.
He bought a house in December. I moved in. I pay rent and some bills, (our providers said we could have the account in a joint name but the bills would be addressed to my partner except for one, the gas bill. I have no idea why). All our mail goes here now. We are on each other's super accounts too. Have Skype, phone, messenger, SMS logs of all separated time.
Want to lodge in very early June 2015.
I've just heard very mixed things. A friend of my boss' is a case officer, and he discussed it with her generally without naming names, and she was pretty flippant. She basically told my boss that a "low risk country like the UK" would be fine and not even worried about on an application, and she stressed the financial aspect, rather than social. She said she would hate to see all the phone, SMS, messenger and Skype logs, that it was unnecessary, as were thing like event invitations. Then I had several migration officers tell me these things were absolutely essential, and that our month of separation for me going home would put us back 3 months...
Any help would be appreciated.
My questions are:
1) With this background, what would anyone think from their experience the strength of our case was? I'm concerned about the FIFO roster and separation times.
2) Would you recommend a migration agent?
3) What will my work situation be like if I'm granted a bridging visa? I'd be coming off a 2nd WHV, in June 2015 when we apply, and I love my job, but by May 2015 I would have hit the 6 months mark. From June, would my Bridging Visa reinstate the work rights of my previous visa, or could I apply for a different subclass of Bridging Visa so I could continue working for my employer, or not at all? There's the possibility of a career here, and I really, really don't want to waste it.
4) My final, biggest worry I suppose, is that do you find it's a case of there's not a lot of legroom for mistakes? Providing you upload all documentation and evidence, however unnecessary, is it a case of immigration almost looking for a way of tripping you up? I feel scared even considering an online application...if you muck up the process, do they just chuck you?
5) Does anyone know much about witness statements. The forms as opposed to just writing in names and dates, and how soon you should be doing health and police checks. I already did the latter and I think it's too early.
I'm sorry for the huge post, I'm just worrying myself sick about it.
Thank you for any help!