Humanitarian Visas
Hope and Opportunity Await in Australia
Humanitarian Visas Offer Protection and Opportunities for a Brighter Future in Australia
Australia’s Humanitarian Visa Program offers refuge to individuals fleeing persecution, violence, and human rights violations, reflecting the country’s commitment to international protection obligations, such as the Refugee Convention. The program provides both temporary and permanent visa options, depending on individual circumstances.
There are different types of humanitarian visas for people arriving both offshore and onshore. This section will introduce the Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV), Temporary Protection Visa (TPV), and offshore visas like the Refugee Visa (Subclass 200).
Temporary Humanitarian Visas
- Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV): This temporary visa is designed for people fleeing persecution who are willing to work, live, or study in regional Australia. It offers a five-year stay with a pathway to permanent visas under specific conditions.
- Temporary Protection Visa (TPV): This visa offers three years of protection for individuals arriving in Australia without a valid visa. It allows living, working, and studying in Australia, though it doesn’t provide a direct path to permanent residency.
Permanent Humanitarian Visas
- Refugee and Humanitarian Visas: Australia offers permanent humanitarian visas, such as the Refugee Visa (Subclass 200), the In-country Special Humanitarian Visa, and the Global Special Humanitarian Visa, for individuals facing persecution. Each of these visas provides permanent residency and pathways to citizenship.
- Emergency and Women-focused Visas: The Emergency Rescue Visa provides immediate relocation for life-threatening situations, while the Woman at Risk Visa offers protection to women and children at risk of violence or persecution.
-
Must be outside your home country and outside Australia.
-
Must meet the criteria for one of the humanitarian visa subclasses (e.g., Refugee Visa, In-country Special Humanitarian Program Visa, Global Special Humanitarian Visa).
-
Must be referred by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or sponsored by an eligible person or organization in Australia.
-
Must pass health, character, and security checks.
Eligibility
What You Can Do When You Hold This Visa
Once you hold a Humanitarian Visa, you can permanently live, work, and study in Australia, providing you with the opportunity to rebuild your life in a safe and supportive environment. You’ll have access to Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare scheme, ensuring that your health and wellbeing are taken care of. Additionally, you can sponsor eligible family members to join you in Australia, helping to reunite you with loved ones. With a travel document, you can also travel to and from Australia, offering you the flexibility to visit your home country if needed. Furthermore, after meeting the necessary requirements, you can apply for Australian citizenship, allowing you to fully embrace and contribute to your new community.