Onshore Humanitarian visas are available to people outside of Australia who are also outside of their home country and cannot return to their home country because they are refugees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Onshore Humanitarian visa?
Australia offers a range of onshore humanitarian visas to refugees and people at risk who are not in Australia and who are outside of their home country and cannot return to their home country because they fear persecution.
An onshore humanitarian visa is a permanent visa to Australia which allows you to live, work and study in Australia.
The visa places available for this program are limited and the demand for these visas is high. This generally results in significant processing times or in some cases refusals due to Australia’s capacity.
There are a number of onshore humanitarian visas available. Speak to a lawyer to find out if you are eligible for one of the onshore humanitarian visa options.
What are the requirements of an Onshore Humanitarian visa?
You may be eligible for an onshore humanitarian visa if:
- You are outside of Australia
- You are subject to persecution or substantial discrimination in your home country
- You meet the ‘compelling reasons’ criterion
- You meet health, character and national security requirements
There are a number of onshore humanitarian visas available, and some of them have different eligibility requirements. Speak to a lawyer to find out if you are eligible for one of the onshore humanitarian visa options.
Can I appeal a refusal of an Onshore Humanitarian visa?
If you have received an onshore humanitarian visa refusal, your options to appeal may be limited. Instead it may be an option to apply again for the visa.
You should read your visa refusal notice carefully to understand:
- If you have the right to appeal your decision
- The timeframe available to lodge the appeal
- The relevant appeal body your appeal should be directed to.
If your letter does not outline this information, we suggest that you obtain legal advice.
Have questions about onshore humanitarian visas? Book a free 10 minute consultation with one of our immigration lawyers online now and get the answers you need.