Australian Permanent Humanitarian Visa (Subclass 202) in Melbourne

How Long Does it Take to Get a Humanitarian Visa? (Processing Time & Priority)

There is no set timeline for processing of this visa. Due to high demand and limited slots available, it can take many months or even years for the visa to be processed. Thus, it is important that your application has all the relevant documents for this visa category.

There are several priority groups for the offshore humanitarian visa that get priority while processing the applications. These are:

• Applicants with an immediate family member or relative as proposer
• Applicants with proposer living in a regional area of Australia
• Applicants whose proposer does not hold a Protection or Resolution of Status visa
• Applicants whose proposer is an extended family member, who does not hold a Protection or Resolution of Status visa
• An applicant whose proposer is a friend or distant relative, who does not hold a Protection or Resolution of Status visa
• An applicant whose proposer holds a Protection or Resolution of Status visa

What is a Permanent Humanitarian Visa’s Requirement & Eligibility?

An offshore humanitarian visa is granted to a person facing discrimination or persecution in his/her home country. To apply for this visa, the applicant must be:

• 18 years or above.
• Outside your home country and Australia
• A victim of discrimination or persecution in their home country
• Have a sponsor
• Meet health and character requirements
• Sign the Australian values statement
• Ensure that they don’t owe debt to the Australian government

Documents Checklist for an Australian Humanitarian Visa

Listed below is the document checklist for visa:

• 2 passport size photographs
• Identity documents that include your current passport pages
• National identity card (if applicable)
• Detailed personal statement on reason(s) for leaving your home county
• Proof of registration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or any such international body that deals with refugees
• Visa/residence permits certified copies (if any)
• Form 681 (Refugee and special humanitarian proposal)
• Form 842 (Application for an offshore humanitarian visa). This is sent by the proposer for you to sign before they submit it
• Character documents
• Partner, dependents and family member’s documents

Check the Department of Home Affairs website or with your visa agent before applying, as the document list is exhaustive and is subject to changes.

Cost of an Australian Humanitarian Visa

There is no fee applicable for applying for this visa. However, if you are applying under a Community Support Program by an approved organisation, there may be a visa fee applicable. Check with your visa processing agent for more details on this.

How to Apply for an Australian Humanitarian Visa

1. Step 1: Collect all your documents:

   • Though time-consuming, this step directly impacts the result of your visa application.
   • Take assistance of a skilled visa agent who can guide you on which documents are required when applying for an Australian humanitarian visa.

2. Step 2: Preparing the documents:

   • If the documents are not in the English language, you will need to provide a translated copy of them from a certified translator.
   • For online applications, you do not need to certify any documents.

3. Step 3: Apply for the visa:

   • You can apply both online, which is a preferred medium or through the post.
   • Provide correct information and duly fill out the application form.
   • Incomplete or forms with inaccurate information can lead to delays and even rejection.
   • You need form 842 if you are applying for an offshore visa and form 681 if you are applying for a refugee and special humanitarian visa.

4. Step 4: After your apply:

   • The immigration department will inform you or your authorised visa agent in case more information is required or if health tests and biometrics are necessary.
   • You may also be called for an interview, where your case and need for applying for a humanitarian visa are explored to test its genuineness.

5. Step 5: Outcome:

   • The immigration department informs you of the final result in writing.
   • You must be outside Australia at the time of the visa decision.
   • If you are awarded the visa, you are given the visa grant number.
   • If the visa is refused, you are told of the reasons for refusal and whether you have the right to appeal for a review of the decision.