202 Visa: Global Special Humanitarian Visa
This 202 visa (humanitarian visa) is a permanent visa that is for those who are subject to discrimination and human rights abuses in their home country, but are not officially registered with the UNHCR as a refugee.
Who Is Eligible For A Humanitarian Visa?
To get this visa the applicant must be:
- Outside of Australia
- Living outside of their home country
- Subject to substantial discrimination, amounting to a gross violation of their human rights, in their home country
- Proposed by a person or organisation in Australia
What Are The Other Requirements Of A Humanitarian Visa?
There is a significant demand for ‘split family’ applications, however these are of limited availability. Only the most compelling cases are likely to be approved, and they are likely to take several years to be finalised. Instead of waiting, it is encouraged to consider one of the many family visas which may be applicable.
The proposer must be:
- An Australian citizen, or
- An Australian permanent resident, or
- An organisation in Australia
Health and character requirements must also be met.
What Are The Benefits?
This is a permanent residence visa that allows the applicant to:
- Stay in Australia indefinitely
- Work and study in Australia
- Enroll in Medicare
- Access certain social security payments
- Apply for Australian citizenship when eligible
- Propose immediate family members for permanent residence
- Attend English language courses
Note: If the applicant wishes to travel outside of Australia, they will need to get a travel document.
The applicant can include the following people in the application:
- Their partner (married or de-facto)
- Dependent children
- Other dependent relatives
These family members must meet the requirements for being a member of the family unit.
Visa Charges
There are no government charges for this visa.
The applicant will need to pay for their own travel costs to Australia.