Aoife

Hi Raul, Thank you so much for clarifying my situation.

I am on a 457 visa (granted march 2017 giving me expiry of march 2021). I am eligible to apply for PR through my employer in march 2019 but they have refused. I want to apply for a partnership visa with my Australian boyfriend we have been together 15 months but only living together for 5 months, is this a problem as some people tell me you have to be living together for 12 months before you apply for the Partnership visa? Secondly, I have been doing online reading and it seems that if I lodge an 820 visa while I'm still on my 457, a bridging visa will come into play. If I hand in my notice and have my 457 cancelled this then cancels the bridging visa that was activated from the 820 application then resulting in a different bridging visa with no work or travel rights until a decision is made for my 820 temporary partnership visa which can take up too 25 months. I am really unhappy in my work place and feel very defeated. Can anyone recommend a good immigration lawyer in Melbourne? Can anyone confirm if I'm correct as I'm confused and being told different things. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!!