Being safe in your home country is very important. You can’t compromise on living in a place where your life might be in danger. Every year millions of people have to leave their homes to find a safe place to live. They seek asylum where they can live with liberty.
The Australian Protection Visa is for people who want to seek asylum. Like all other Australian visas, the Protection Visa 866 has specific eligibility criteria. If you want to know the requirements of a visa 866, it’s surely the right place.
Sadly, not all countries guarantee you a safe living. Well, if we talk about Australia, then the circumstances will be different. As it offers a safe and high standard of living to its people. Thousands of people choose Australia for immigration. So, if you’ve been forced to leave your home, then don’t worry. You can move to Australia and live your life the way you want.
With this guide, we’ll let you know how it can be possible to seek asylum in Australia with a Protection Visa.
Australia Protection Visa 866
A Protection Visa is for people who want to seek asylum and enter on a valid visa in Australia. It’s a permanent visa. You can live in Australia permanently if you engage Australia’s protection obligations. You must comply with all the requirements to obtain a 866 Visa in Australia.
The cost of a Protection Visa is AUD 40. The visa application must be made while you are in Australia. If Home Affairs grants you this visa, you can live freely in Australia. Visa 866 is especially for refugees who seek asylum due to fear of persecution for reasons like religion, race, nationality, or political opinion.
You become a permanent resident of Australia with a Protection Visa. Your permanent residence starts on the day Home Affairs grants you this visa. Your family members can also apply for a 866 visa with you. These family members can be your spouse, de facto partner, dependent child, or a step-child of the family head. A family head can be you or anyone who hasn’t applied for this visa.
Eligibility Criteria for Australian Protection Visa
The Department of Home Affairs has set particular criteria for a Protection Visa in Australia. Refugees and asylum seekers applying for this visa must meet its standards.
If you want to lodge an application for 866 visa, you must:
- Be a refugee
- Engage Australia’s Protection Obligations
- Have entered Australia legally on a valid visa
- Meet the complementary protection criteria of Australia
- Provide documents of your identity, nationality, or citizenship with your visa application
- Not be barred from applying for a permanent Australian protection visa in Australia. Your application will not be valid if you’ve had a protection visa refusal since your last arrival in Australia.
- Have never held a Temporary Protection visa 785, Temporary Safe Haven visa 449, Temporary (Humanitarian Concern) Visa 786, or a Safe Haven Enterprise visa 790.
- Meet the security requirements of Australia
- Meet the health requirements by undergoing health examinations by Bupa Medical Services. The purpose of health examinations is to protect your health and the health of the Australian community.
- Meet the character requirements
- If you’re 18 or older, you must sign the Australian Values Statement.It’ll verify that you’ll respect the Australian laws and their way of living.
Benefits of Australian Protection Visa
The Department of Home Affairs grants a Protection Visa to eligible applicants. The Australian Government provides many benefits to refugees holding a 866 visa. You become a valuable part of the Australian community with a Protection Visa. You can live safely, freely and without any fear in Australia. You enjoy your life just as other residents of Australia.
So, if you obtain the Australian Protection Visa, you can:
- Stay in Australia as a permanent resident
- Study in Australia
- Work in Australia
- Enroll in Medicare and Centrelink services to get medical and healthcare services in Australia
- Be a sponsor for your eligible relatives to apply for PR in Australia.They can apply for PR in Australia through the Offshore Humanitarian Program.
- Travel multiple times from and to Australia for five years
- Apply for Australian citizenship if you meet the requirements
- Attend English language classes free of cost in Australia if you’re eligible
Multiple Travel Facility on 866 Visa
Protection visa holders can enjoy multiple travel facility in Australia. If you hold a visa 866, you can travel outside Australia and return as well. You can travel in and outside Australia for 5 years. After 5 years, you can apply for a Resident Return Visa to re-enter Australia.
How long does it take to process a Protection Visa?
There’s no specific processing time for a Protection Visa. As it’s a complex and time taking procedure. The Department of Home Affairs takes some time to finalize your visa application. It’ll prioritize your application if you meet all the requirements. If you provide complete documents, your application will be processed quickly.
Home Affairs may take longer if you don’t fill out your application correctly. It might contact you for further details on your visa application. Therefore, you must respond as soon as you can.
Protection Visa – Final Words!
The Australian Protection Visa is an excellent option for refugees to live in Australia. The low crime rate, stable political system, and high living standards make Australia a desirable place for immigrants. If you’ve been forced to leave your homeland due to race, religion, or nationality, don’t worry. Apply for a Protection Visa and live a safe and happy life in Australia.
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