Australian Embassy
Islamic Republic of Iran

Refugee and Humanitarian Visas

Refugee and Humanitarian Visas

The offshore component of the Refugee and Humanitarian Programme involves resettlement of people needing humanitarian assistance to Australia who do not have any other durable solution available to them.

There are two categories of visas under the offshore resettlement programme:

• Refugee category
 

• Special Humanitarian Programme (SHP) category
 

NOTE: The number of applications we receive for resettlement each year is far greater than available visas.

Refugee category visas are for people who are experiencing persecution in their home country, who are typically outside that country and in need of resettlement.

 

Am I eligible for a refugee category visa?

A person may be eligible for a refugee category visa if they:

• Are outside Australia; and

• Are subject to persecution in their home country.

 

Am I eligible for a Special Humanitarian Program category visa?

A person may be eligible for a Special Humanitarian Program category visa if they:

• they are outside Australia

• an immediate family member proposes them for a visa (see Proposing an immediate family member)

• they have been identified as a refugee or a person subject to persecution or substantial discrimination amounting to gross violation of human rights in their home country and deemed to be in humanitarian need.

Applicants must also satisfy the decision maker that there are compelling reasons for giving special consideration to the grant of a visa. This criterion is common to all permanent visa subclasses under the offshore Humanitarian Program. It involves an assessment of various factors including:

• the degree of persecution or discrimination to which the applicant is subject in their home country

• the extent of the applicant’s connection with Australia

• whether or not there is any suitable country available, other than Australia, that can provide for the applicant’s settlement and protection from discrimination

• the capacity of the Australian community to provide for the permanent settlement of persons such as the applicant in Australia.

Most humanitarian visas are granted to applicants who are outside their home country. If a person is living in their home country, it is unlikely that they will meet the criteria to be granted a refugee or humanitarian visa.
 

More Information

Further information on Refugee and Humanitarian Entry to Australia is available on the Department of Immigration and Border Protection’s website at: http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Refu/Offs