Nurse Zivile Juchneviciute and her husband Peter Windsor have for the past two-and-half years had no idea where they'd be living by the end of 2022 – in sunny Geraldton in WA's Midwest, or back in the UK.
But ministerial intervention at the 11th hour, just days out from the federal election, has ended their ordeal.
Ms Juchneviciute, from Lithuania, has been working as a registered nurse at the Geraldton hospital since 2018 on a temporary skill shortage visa, also known as the 482 visa.
It gave her a chance to apply for permanent residency if she met the criteria, which included an age limit of 45.
But a series of setbacks out of her control resulted in Ms Juchneviciute celebrating her 46th birthday before her application could be processed.
With one month left on their visas, Ms Juchneviciute and Mr Windsor's request for ministerial intervention was approved.
Outgoing immigration minister Alex Hawke "personally considered" their case two days before the election and granted them former resident visas, letting them stay in Australia permanently.
"We were just over the moon and very delighted, we didn't expect that," Ms Juchneviciute said.
She said it was an amazing feeling to be able to travel to see her and Mr Windsor's families.
Couple 'detained' briefly
A letter given to the couple said Mr Hawke granted their visas as it was in "the public interest".
But their original visas had to be cancelled for them to be eligible for the former resident visa, which technically made them both illegal citizens.
Mr Windsor said after signing the document to end their visas last Thursday, they were "detained" for nearly three hours inside the Department of Home Affair's Perth office.
"It was very bizarre and quite stressful," he said.
"We sat there locked in a room, it was like a little jail cell really, and then a lady comes in and says 'you're free to go'.
'Massive weight off shoulders'
Ms Juchneviciute said the overwhelming support from friends and strangers helped her through the "traumatic" time.
"Some days I was just really down, … it was so emotionally draining," she said.
She said a lot of people inspired her to have hope through the journey.
Mr Windsor said it was great to no longer have to worry about their visas running out.
"It's a massive weight off the shoulders," he said.
"Now we can get on with our lives."
