My SIL has a neice (Soobin) whose parents no longer want her. They are from Korea and Soobin's natural mother left when she was 6mo. Her father brought her to Australia to live with my SIL and BIL. My SIL has had 2 ectopic pg's and has had both tubes removed from the damage - also she is >40 so having a baby naturally or through IVF was going to be too risky and expensive.

Anyway, they wanted to adopt Soobin and raise her as their own, but there is no precedent for adoption within a family. Soobin is actually their neice, and technically she has parents, they just don't want her. It would have been easier if she wasn't related, but anyway....

Soobin has used up all of her allowable visa times (she is now 5 years old) and has spent about 18mths on and off here, but has been in Korea permanently for the last 3 years straight. My SIL goes over there to be with her for a few months at a time, but it is very difficult for all of them.

The Aus Govt may allow Soobin back into the country next year when she is old enough to go to school here, but she will be only under the guardianship of my SIL and BIL.

Does anyone know of a similar situation or of any way of us sorting this out so that Soobin can stay here? The immigration people told us there was no hope except to get her back here for her education (and they haven't sorted this out fully yet either, so we don't know for sure if she'll be back next year or what). Any information anyone has would be great.

Thanks!