Hi, my girlfriend is from america and we have been together for over 12 months. Currently she is residing back in america. Her 12 month holiday visa runs out on the 1st June 2012. Can she cancel her current visa and reapply for another 12 month holiday visa. I was asking this as we were going to lodge a defacto spouse visa but I wouldn't have the appropriate funds to do so if I got her over on her current visa as I am led to believe it costs around $2900 to lodge the visa. the new visa would give us a little bit more time to pay for and lodge the visa.. Once she arrives how does the process of applying for a defacto spouse visa work or is there a better way for her to remain permanently in Australia. We are going to get married and if it makes it easier we will get married when she comes back to Australia if doing that makes it easier or opens better avenues to residing in Australia..I would prefer not to get married straight away as I would like to save for a decent one but will definitely marry at a registry office if that is required or looked upon as being the preferred alternative She was over here for a period of 3 months on her current visa and left last September. We met online and have been in a committed relationship since march last year but in that period we have only resided together in Australia for 3 months. I am an Australian citizen, Is there any financial requirements that I will need to meet for her to be able to stay. ie savings etc and I currently reside in a rental property.. I have been off work for the last 12 months on compensation but I am currently at the stage where I can return to work and I am in the process of starting a new job, I am a carpenter by trade.. I have some savings but at the moment I just don't have the extra $2900 that I need but will have within a month of returning to work , hence the Q about extending Christy's current visa, Thanks for taking the time to review my questions, :) Dave

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State/Territory: W.A

Already Tried:
I have read all the visa information provided by the australian government and the more I read the more confused we get