can I get a De facto Visa for the UK back in Australia?

[james1]

I am an Australian guy who has an Australian girlfirend, who is lucky enough to have a GB passport. We want to get a De facto visa.

The issue reloves around my current tier 2 general sponsored visa expiring 2 weeks before we have actually been living together in the UK for two years, thus us not being eligible for the De facto visa.

In the past year we have bought a flat together, with the year previous to that, living together at a firends place.

It will be hard for us to prove that we were together before she moved to the UK. As a result I will have to leave the UK before my current visa expires (as not to be illegal), but unfortunately this means I will be out of the UK when it is time for us to get the De facto visa.

I would just renue my sponsorship but I would rather have the flexability of changing jobs (get out of the sponsorship).

Can we get the De facto if I am back in Australia?

What evidence would I need to prove the De facto status?

If the evidence is ok how hard are the visa'stoget? As i don't want to be out of the country and not be able to get back in!

JC

[JAJ]

Can you renew your sponsorship and then once you have the two years, switch to unmarried partner? When does your lawful status expire and is your employer willing to co-operate?

Or is there any plan to get married?