Refugee Visa and Humanitarian Program
What is the Refugee and Humanitarian Program?
Australia’s Refugee and Humanitarian Program (Protection Visas and Refugee Visas) is part of international efforts to protect refugees and others who are displaced as a result of conflict, persecution and human rights abuses and aims to provide resettlement pathways for refugees and others in humanitarian need.
Over the years, the Refugee and Humanitarian Program intake has been drawn from a range of nationalities and ethnic groups, reflecting global displacement arising from conflict and persecution.
The program is flexible and responds to resettlement need. Australia has allocated 18,750 places in 2018-19 to the Refugee and Humanitarian Program. Protection Visa processing time in Australia are vary.
Types of Visas
Protection Visas (Onshore)
-
Protection Visa (subclass 866)
The subclass 866 visa allow those who have arrived in Australia on another valid visa apply for protection and live, work and study in Australia permanently. Holders of this visa may also sponsor eligible family members for permanent residence through the offshore Humanitarian Program.
-
Temporary Protection Visa (subclass 785)
This visa allows people who have arrived in Australia without a valid visa apply for protection and live, work and study in Australia temporarily for up to 3 years.
-
Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (subclass 790)
The subclass 790 visa allows people who have arrived in Australia illegally apply for protection and live, work and study in Australia temporarily for up to 5 years.
Refugee Visas (Offshore)
Offshore refugee visas allow people subject to persecution in their home country to move to Australia to live, work and study indefinitely. However, the decision process can be very lengthy as there is a higher number of applications for resettlement each year than available visas. Offshore refugee visas are usually allocated to people referred by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for resettlement in Australia.
- Refugee Visa (subclass 200)
- In-Country Special Humanitarian Visa (subclass 201)
- Emergency Rescue Visa (subclass 203)
- Woman at Risk Visa (subclass 204)
Key Eligibility Criteria of Protection Visa & Refugee Visa
To be eligible for an onshore visa you must:
- Engage Australia’s protection obligations
- Meet health, character and national security requirements
To be eligible for an offshore refugee visa you must:
- Be outside Australia
- Be subject to persecution in your home country
- Meet the “compelling reasons” criterion
- Meet health, character and national security requirements
How can Smart Choice Education & Migration help you with Protection Visa & Refugee Visa Application?
Our registered migration agents can assess your eligibility for a visa under the refugee and humanitarian program and if suitable, help you:
- Reside permanently and lawfully in Australia
- Source education and/or employment chances
- Qualify for Australia’s health care or Medicare
- Apply for Australian citizenship when eligible
- Sponsor your family members to join you in Australia
- Access travel facilities
Contact Smart Choice Education and Migration today or follow us on Facebook
