Refugee Visa

Overview

If you find yourself in a situation where you are experiencing persecution, significant discrimination, or human rights violations in your country of origin, or if you are considering seeking asylum in Australia, you may be eligible to apply for a variety of visas under the Refugee & Humanitarian Visa program offered by the Australian government. The specific requirements for different visa types will depend on the country from which you are applying. Here are some examples of the types of visas available and their corresponding requirements.

Applying from Inside Australia?

Refugee Visa (Subclass 200, 201, 203 & 204)

If you are experiencing persecution in your country of origin, these visas provide an option to relocate to Australia with your family. They enable you to live, work, and study in Australia on a permanent basis.

You can live, work, and study in Australia under this visa.
Usually, a referral from the UNHCR is needed to apply for this visa.
The Australian Government will cover the expenses for your travel to Australia, including medical exams and cultural orientation overseas.
You and your immediate family can settle permanently in Australia.
There is no application fee for this visa.
However, the visa decision-making process can take several months or even years due to the high volume of resettlement applications received by the government annually, which surpasses the visa quotas available.

Global Special Humanitarian Visa (Subclass 202)

With this visa you can move to Australia if you face substantial discrimination or human rights abuses, and have a proposer, and stay in Australia permanently with your immediate family.

This visa enables you to reside, work, and study in Australia.
To apply for this visa, you must be outside of Australia, and your country of residence must not be your home country.
A proposer is required for this visa application.
The visa's entry date must be adhered to, and all Australian laws must be obeyed by you and your family members.
No travel expenses for the visa holder will be paid by the government.

Unless you are proposed under the Community Support Program by an Approved Proposing Organisation, there is no visa application charge for this visa.
Due to the overwhelming number of resettlement applications received by the government annually, which exceeds the available visa quotas, the decision-making process for this visa could take several months or even years.

Applying from Outside Australia?

Protection Visa (Subclass 866)

If you arrived in Australia with a valid visa and are seeking asylum, this visa is available to you. If you fulfill Australia’s protection obligations and all other visa requirements, you may remain in Australia permanently under this visa.

This visa allows you to reside, work, and study in Australia.
Through the offshore Humanitarian Program, you can sponsor qualified family members for permanent residence.
This visa must be applied for within Australia.
You may seek permanent residence in Australia if you arrived legally on a valid visa and fulfill Australia's protection obligations.
Engaging Australia's protection obligations (or being a member of the same family unit as someone who does) is required.
You must have arrived lawfully in Australia on a valid visa.
You must fulfill all other visa requirements, including health, character, and security.
The cost of this visa is AUD 40.

Temporary Protection Visa (Subclass 785)

If you arrived in Australia without a visa and are seeking asylum, this visa is available to you. If you fulfill Australia’s protection obligations and all other visa requirements, you may remain in Australia temporarily under this visa.

This visa allows you to reside, work, and study in Australia for a duration of 3 years.
You will be eligible for government services, such as Centrelink.
The visa application must be submitted while you are in Australia.
You need to fulfill Australia's protection obligations (or be part of the same family unit as someone who does).
To be granted the visa, you must also fulfill other visa requirements such as health, character, identity, and security.
The application fee for this visa is AUD 40.
The processing time for this visa can vary.

Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (Subclass 790)

This visa is intended for individuals who arrive in Australia without a visa and seek asylum. If you fulfill Australia’s protection obligations and meet all other visa requirements, you will be permitted to stay in Australia temporarily.

This visa permits temporary living, working, and studying in Australia for up to 5 years.
The visa application must be submitted in Australia.
The applicant is encouraged to engage in Australia's protection obligations.
The applicant or an immediate family member included in the application must intend to work or study in a SHEV regional area.
If the applicant meets the SHEV pathway requirements and the requirement for their preferred visa, they may be able to apply for certain visas in Australia.
The application fee for this visa is AUD40.
The processing times for this visa can vary.