Client T contacted us with just one day left before their 485 Graduate visa was due to expire. While they had already arranged with an employer to sponsor them for a 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa, one major hurdle remained — the employer had not yet completed the mandatory 28-day Labour Market Testing (LMT), meaning the 482 application couldn’t be lodged immediately.

It was an extremely urgent and complex situation.

The client was facing several serious challenges:

• Less than 24 hours left before visa expiry, leaving no time to prepare
• The employer-sponsored visa was underway, but documentation was incomplete – lodging too early would carry major risks
• Failure to lodge a valid visa on time could result in unlawful stay and a negative immigration record

Our legal team at Riverwood Migration quickly assessed the case and implemented an emergency bridging strategy:

• Recommended lodging a Visitor visa immediately to buy lawful time in Australia
• Assisted in drafting a clear and persuasive statement of purpose, explaining that the Visitor visa was solely to allow completion of the 482 process – not for extended stay
• Simultaneously supported the employer in commencing the LMT process, ensuring every step was completed efficiently within the tight timeline

In the end, the client was granted a 1-month Visitor visa, which gave them a total of 2.5 months of lawful stay – enough to complete LMT and lodge the 482 visa from onshore without disruption. The entire process was smooth, continuous, and fully compliant, setting the client up for a long-term future in Australia.

Many people only seek help at the very last minute – but with the right strategy and timely action, it’s often still possible to turn the situation around.

If you have any questions or would like professional assistance, please feel free to contact us at Riverwood Migration (Email: enquiry@riverwoodmigration.com). We are committed to providing transparent, expert migration services to help you achieve your dream of moving to Australia.

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