Protection Visa Australia: Check Requirements & Apply

Australia has been at the forefront of protecting and safeguarding political rights and civil liberties. While there are many countries where the citizens are persecuted based on their religion, race, political inclination, etc., Australia provides a safe haven to them. Protection Visa Australia is for the individuals who face discrimination in their home countries and seek asylum in the country for themselves and their family members.

This visa not only allows you to live and work in the country but also provides you with educational opportunities. Additionally, it opens doors for Australian Citizenship for you. We have covered all the information in this post that you may require to apply for protection visa 866.

Benefits of Protection Visa Australia

It allows you to live in Australia permanently.
You can work full time in the country.
Under a protection visa you can study further in Australia and make a career.
Protection Visa in Australia allows you to access the world class medicare services.
You can sponsor eligible members of the family for PR via the offshore Humanitarian Program. Your family members are also eligible for the medicare services.
Once you have a protection visa you can travel to and from the country as many times as you want. This is applicable for 5 years only. After 5 years you may have to use a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to re-enter the country.
You can become a citizen of Australia if you meet all the requirements.

Protection Visa Australia Requirements

Do not hold the following visas:

You are not eligible for visa protection 866 if you have one of the following: Temporary Protection Visa (Subclass 785) Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (Subclass 790) Temporary Safe Haven Visa (Subclass 449) Temporary Visa (Subclass 786)

Be a legal migrant. You must have come to Australia on a valid visa and must be immigration cleared. The Department of Home Affairs does not consider applications from individuals who have entered the country unauthorized.

Be a refugee. Australia does not return people who have a risk of persecution in their home country. You must be a refugee to acquire protection visa 866.

Provide identity documents. You have to provide all the documents related to your identity, nationality and citizenship along with your application.

You may have to provide biometrics that include a scan of your fingerprints and a photograph of your face. This information is used to assess your application for protection.

Not have refused or canceled your protection visa. You are not eligible to apply if you have been refused a protection visa since your last arrival in the country.

You cannot make a new visa application if you had your protection visa cancelled since you last visited the country.

Meet Health and Character requirements. You must undergo health tests to make sure that you are healthy and not an obligation to the Australian community.

Acknowledge Australian Value Statement

Protection Visa Australia Processing Time

Although many sources claim it to be 145 days as per the official sources the processing time for visa subclass 866 is not available. The complex process takes time and you must wait patiently while the department processes your application.

Here are some of the steps you need to take to ensure a smooth and fast processing of your application:

Fill in your application correctly
Include all the documents
Revert to any requests made by the Department of Home Affairs in timely manner

Step By Step Application Process to Get Visa subclass 866

Here are the steps you need to follow before you apply for Protection Visa 866:

Step- 1. Check Eligibility

Double check if you are eligible for the visa subclass 866. For asylum seekers free legal advice is available with the application. This eligibility check saves time, efforts and money. You can prepare the application and submit it yourself.

Alternatively, you can appoint a registered migration agent, a legal practitioner or an exempt person for immigration assistance. Similarly, you can appoint someone to receive the documents on your behalf.

Step- 2. Prepare your necessary documents

You have to gather all the necessary documents that may support your application for the asylum visa. The Department of Home Affairs makes a decision after a thorough review of these documents..

Identity documents: There is a list of documents that you must provide for this visa. This includes all pages of your passport, current and expired ones as well. A birth certificate from your country of citizenship, and a national identification. If you have changed your name you must provide a marriage certificate or divorce certificate. Or, documents that show your other names. Asylum seekers sometimes cannot provide the supporting documents. In this case you must provide a statement that gives reasons to why you have no travel or identity documents.
Relationship documents: For each person in the application you need to provide the documents that establish the relationship. These may include birth certificates, financial evidence, marriage certificates, or notarial certificates.
Visas, Residence Permits and Character documents: If you or any of your family members in the application holds a visa or residence permits then you have to provide those documents. It is important to note that you don't have to arrange for the police certificates unless the department asks you to. The department asks for the discharge papers in case you have been in the military.

Step-3. You have to apply online by following these simple instructions:

Create an account on ImmiAccount. Login if you already have one.
Attach all the documents.
Make payment for the application fee.
Keep a copy of Transaction Reference Number (TRN) for future reference.

With the help of your ImmiAcount you can check the status of your application, attach documents, update personal details and get a copy of your application at any time.

Step- 4. Wait patiently after you apply

The department does not give updates of the application process however, you must check your ImmiAccount regularly in case they ask for further information. While your application is in process you may get a bridging visa. You must stay lawful in Australia till a decision is made on your application. Additionally, you can also add family members during the time.

They may have to attend an interview if the department asks. At the same time, you may have to get your necessary health checks and biometrics.

Step- 5. Get your Visa

The Department of Home Affairs gives the outcome in written format. The visa grant notification letter contains your visa grant number, conditions if any and other relevant information. On the other hand, if the department refuses your visa application you will get that in writing. You may have the right to review the decision with the Administrative review Tribunal.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can apply if you are a legal migrant who is already in Australia and have a well-founded fear of persecution in your home country. You must not have had a previous protection visa application refused or canceled.

It means you are a person who has a risk of persecution in your home country. Australia will not return you to a place where you are at risk.

You must apply online through the Department of Home Affairs’ ImmiAccount system. You will need to create an account, fill out the application, upload all supporting documents, and pay the application fee.

The official processing time is not available and the process can be complex. To ensure a smooth process, it is important to fill out the application correctly, include all necessary documents, and respond promptly to any requests from the Department of Home Affairs.

If your application is refused, you will be notified in writing and may have the right to appeal the decision with the Administrative Review Tribunal.