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We prefer you to contact by Email: [email protected]
Call us 24/7 in Australia: 1800 847 243
Australia: +61-7-3186 1467
India: +91-7598 338 336
Refugee Visa subclass 200: What this Refugee visa lets you do
This is a permanent residence visa. It allows you to:
If you want to travel outside Australia, you will need to get a travel document. After five years, you will need a Resident Return Visa to re-enter Australia.
Refugee Visa subclass 200: Before you apply
You must be outside Australia when you apply for a Refugee visa (subclass 200). You must also be outside Australia when a visa is granted.
Refugee Visa subclass 200: Cost
There are no costs associated with this Refugee visa, unless you are applying under the Community pilot. The Australian Government pays for:
Refugee Visa subclass 200: Who could get this Refugee visa
You might be able to get this Refugee visa if:
If a member of your immediate family was granted this Refugee visa in the past five years, they can propose you for this Refugee visa under ‘split family’ provisions. You can find more information at Proposing an Immediate Family Member (‘Split Family’).
Refugee Visa subclass 200: Health requirements
You must meet certain health requirements. The results are usually valid for 12 months. Do not arrange a health examination until the department of immigration and border protection ask you to.
This applies to you and any dependent family members included in your application.
A waiver of the need to meet the health requirement is available if compassionate and compelling circumstances exist. You can find information at Health waivers.
Refugee Visa subclass 200: Character requirements
You must meet certain character requirements. You must be prepared to provide a police certificate from each country you have lived in for 12 months or more during the past 10 years after you turned 16 years of age. Do not arrange for police certificates until the department of immigration and border protection ask you to.
This applies to you and all the dependent family members listed in your application, whether they are migrating or not. ​​
You do not need to provide a police certificate from your home country.
Refugee Visa subclass 200: Debts to the Australian Government
You must have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government or have arranged to repay any outstanding debts to the Australian Government before this Refugee visa can be granted.
Refugee Visa subclass 200: Biometrics
You might be asked to provide biometrics (a scientific form of identification) as part of the application. Countries and visa subclasses included in the biometrics program has more information.
Refugee Visa subclass 200: Including family in your application
You can include the following people in your visa application at the time of lodgement:
These family members must meet the requirements for including family members in your application, see Form 1497i Including family members in your refugee, humanitarian or protection visa application (110KB PDF). They could be asked to provide evidence of their relationship to you. This could include marriage certificates, birth certificates, joint bank accounts and other relevant documents. ​​
Your family members must be able to show that they meet health and character requirements.​
Non-dependent children who want to apply for entry to Australia on humanitarian grounds must apply for this Refugee visa separately.
Refugee Visa subclass 200: How to apply
This information explains what you need to do to apply for a Refugee visa (subclass 200). You and anyone included in your application must be outside Australia when you apply and the visa is decided.
If you want to apply under the Community Proposal Pilot, further information is available under the Community pilot tab.
Refugee Visa subclass 200: Prepare your documents
You need to provide documents to prove the claims you make in the application. The documents are listed in the Document checklist.
Some documents could take some time to obtain. You should have them ready when you lodge the application to reduce any delays in processing.
Refugee Visa subclass 200: Lodge your application
You can apply for this Refugee visa using this form:
Lodge your application form at an immigration office outside Australia.
If you have a proposer, they must lodge the application in Australia, using:
Your proposer should send your application form (Form 842) to you. Sign that form and return it to your proposer before they lodge the application. Your proposer should lodge the Form 681 and Form 842 together.
You can find more information at Lodging certain humanitarian applications in Australia.
Refugee Visa subclass 200: More information
Please refer to preparing your application, for information on:
Refugee Visa subclass 200: After you have applied
After you apply for a Refugee visa (subclass 200), the department of immigration and border protection will send you and your proposer (if applicable) an acknowledgement of receipt.
Refugee Visa subclass 200: Wait for a decision
The department of immigration and border protection have visa processing times for each visa.
Your application could take longer if you need character or health checks (including x-rays), if you need to provide more information, or if your application is incomplete.
Processing times also vary according to individual and family circumstances, such as any health conditions that might require testing or treatment.
The decision process could take many months. The department of immigration and border protection will contact you at key stages of processing and when a decision is made. Your proposer (if applicable) might be contacted to:
You can provide more information to the department of immigration and border protection, at any time until a decision is made on the application. If you want to correct information you provided, use:
The department of immigration and border protection could also ask you for more information. You will have to respond by a set date. After that date, they can make a decision about your application using the information that they have.
If another person gives the department of immigration and border protection information that could result in you being refused a visa, the department of immigration and border protection will usually give you the opportunity to comment on the information.
You might also be interviewed. If you are asked to attend an interview in person, bring your passport or other identification and any requested documents to the interview.
At the interview, you will be asked about:
You must tell the department of immigration and border protection if your circumstances change. This includes a new residential address, a new passport, or a pregnancy, birth, divorce, separation, marriage, de facto relationship or death in your family.
Please report changes in your circumstances via ImmiAccount. If you are not able to use ImmiAccount, you can use the following forms:
If you do not provide the department of immigration and border protection with the details of any new passport issued to you, you could experience significant delays at the airport and may be denied permission to board your plane.​​
​You can withdraw the application at any time before the department of immigration and border protection make a decision about it. To do this, send the department of immigration and border protection a letter or email to ask for the withdrawal. Your request must include your full name and date of birth. You should also include your file reference number, client ID, or a Transaction Reference Number.
​​​All applicants 18 years of age or older, wishing to withdraw, must sign the request for withdrawal. ​​​​​​
Refugee Visa subclass 200: Visa decision
If the visa is granted, the department of immigration and border protection will let you know:
If the visa is refused, the department of immigration and border protection will send you a letter or email stating why it was refused.
You need to provide documents to support your application for this Refugee visa. The department of immigration and border protection can make a decision using the information you provide when you lodge your application. It is in your interest to provide as much information as possible with your application.
Provide certified copies of original documents. Do not include original documents unless the department of immigration and border protection specifically ask for them. Police certificates should be original documents. Documents not in English must be accompanied by accredited English translations.
Use this checklist to make sure your application is complete.
​Visa application requirements differ from country to country. If you are applying outside Australia, your nearest immigrati​on office outside Australia will tell you exactly how to lodge your application and what documents to provide.
o Form 956 Advice by a migration agent/exempt person of providing immigration assistance (133KB PDF) (the agent or exempt person completes the form and you must sign it).
o Form 956a Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient (116KB PDF) (the recipient completes the form and you must sign it).​
or
If you have been referred for resettlement by the UNHCR, a full copy of your UNHCR Resettlement Registration Form.
or
A statement explaining why you have no travel or identity documents.
o These photographs should be of the head and shoulders only against a plain background.
o Print the name of the person on the back of each photograph.
o a certified copy of their birth certificate and proof of their relationship to you
o proof that they live in your household
o proof that they have been financially dependent on you for at least the 12 months immediately before you lodge your application.
or
A written statement that explains the circumstances of adoption.
o certified copies of official legal documents, such as a court-issued parental responsibility (custody), access or guardianship order
o statutory declaration (80 kB pdf) giving their permission
o Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years (125 kB pdf). If you use Form 1229 or a statutory declaration, you will have to attach a certified copy of the other parent’s government-issued identification document (such as a passport or driver’s licence) with their photograph and signature.
ï‚· If you are applying under the ‘split family’ provisions for immediate family members:
Refugee Visa subclass 200: Support for humanitarian visa holders
You can find information about ways the Australian Government helps you prepare to travel to Australia at Refugee and Humanitarian Entry to Australia.
Refugee Visa subclass 200: What this Refugee visa lets you do
This is a permanent residence visa. It allows you to:
If you want to travel outside Australia, you will need to get a travel document. After five years, you will need a Resident Return Visa to re-enter Australia.
Refugee Visa subclass 200: Your obligations
You and your family must:
Refugee Visa subclass 200: What you need after your visa is granted but before you come to Australia
When your visa is granted, the department of immigration and border protection will issue you with a document for travel to Australia. This document is valid one time only for travel and entry to Australia.
You need to have a departure health check from an approved immigration panel physician no more than 72 hours before your confirmed departure for Australia. This is to reduce your post-arrival health issues and make resettlement easier.
You must:
The departure health check includes:
Refugee Visa subclass 200: Report changes in circumstances
You must tell the department of immigration and border protection if your circumstances change. This includes a new residential address, a new passport, or a pregnancy, birth, divorce, separation, marriage, de facto relationship or death in your family.
Please report changes in your circumstances via ImmiAccount. If you are not able to use ImmiAccount, you can use the following forms:
If you do not provide the department of immigration and border protection with the details of any new passport issued to you, you could experience significant delays at the airport and may be denied permission to board your plane.
Refugee Visa subclass 200: Who can propose a person
​​You can propose a person for this Refugee visa if you meet all of the following:
o an Australian citizen
o an Australian permanent resident
o an eligible New Zealand citizen
o an Australian organisation
You can also Propose an imm​ediate family member (‘split family’) for this Refugee visa if:
Refugee Visa subclass 200: How to propose
This information explains what you need to do to propose someone for a Refugee visa (subclass 200).
​​To propose someone for this Refugee visa, complete and lodge the following forms:
You must provide all relevant documents when you lodge the application.
Send ​ Form 842 (586 kB pdf) to the person you are proposing for this Refugee visa. That person should sign the form and return it to you before you lodge the application.
Lodge the application at the:
You can find further information at Lodging certain humanitarian applications in Australia.
Refugee Visa subclass 200: Proposer obligations
If your immediate family members are granted this Refugee visa, you should be prepared to:
o Centrelink
o banks
o public transport
o translating and interpreting services
o health care
o permanent housing
o education
o employment services
o childcare.
Refugee Visa subclass 200: Support for proposers
You can apply for proposer support to better help you to:
A Humanitarian Settlement Services provider in your state or territory will contact you if the visa application is approved. The service provider will give you initial information and tell you what support could be available.
Refugee Visa subclass 200: Report changes in circumstances
Tell the department of immigration and border protection if your circumstances change, for example:
The Community Proposal Pilot is a program of up to 500 visa places under Australia’s Humanitarian Program. It allows approved proposing organisations to propose someone in a humanitarian situation outside of Australia for a Refugee and Humanitarian (Class XB) visa.
These organisations would usually work with supporting community organisations to identify people to propose, support their visa application process, and if successful, help them to settle in Australia.
They are community organisations that the department of immigration and border protection have invited to participate in the Community Proposer Pilot. They are:
The approved proposing organisations:
Refugee Visa subclass 200: What do approved proposing organisations need to do?
Approved proposing organisations must:
If the department of immigration and border protection grant the visa, the approved proposing organisation must also support the people who were proposed for up to 12 months after they arrive in Australia. This means the approved proposing organisation must:
Refugee Visa subclass 200: What are supporting community organisations?
Supporting community organisations work with an approved proposing organisation to identify people who could apply for the visa and, if the visa is granted, help them settle in Australia.
The organisations work together under an agreement. A supporting community organisation must provide any or all of the support and services someone needs after they arrive in Australia, as agreed with the approved proposing organisation.
People being proposed under the Community Proposal Pilot must:
Please note that the Community Proposal Pilot is not a family reunion visa.
You cannot propose an application by yourself. To propose someone through the Community Proposal Pilot, approach an approved proposing organisation. You can contact the approved proposing organisation yourself, or you can ask a supporting community organisation to contact them for you.
To apply for a visa under the Community Proposal Pilot, you must:
The approved proposing organisation will decide which applications they can support.
You do not have to propose someone through the Community Proposal Pilot. You can still propose your family members directly through the normal visa application process if you meet the requirements of the visa.
The people being proposed complete:
The approved proposing organisation completes:
The approved proposing organisation lodges these forms and documents at the Melbourne office in Victoria – attention Melbourne Offshore Humanitarian Processing Centre.
After the application is lodged, the department of immigration and border protection will:
The people being proposed can provide more information about their visa application to the department of immigration and border protection in writing at any time until a decision is made on the application. If they want to correct their information they have provided, they can use Form 1023 Notification of incorrect answer(s) (99 kB pdf).
The decision process could take many months.
If the department of immigration and border protection ask for more information, the people being proposed will have to respond by a set date. After that date, they can make a decision about the application using the information they have.
If another person gives the department of immigration and border protection information that could result in the visa being refused, the department of immigration and border protection will usually give the people being proposed the opportunity to comment on the information.
The people being proposed might also be interviewed. They will need to bring their passport or other identification and any requested documents to the interview.
Under the Deed of Agreement, an Approved Proposing Organisation agrees to provide a range of services and support to people being proposed. The Deed is not an agreement for an Approved Proposing Organisation to provide services on behalf of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth is not funding Approved Proposing Organisations to provide these services.
The Deed of Agreement is a legally binding document.
Approved proposing organisations are responsible for ensuring the following costs are paid:
Approved proposing organisations can ask the supporting community organisation or the people proposing someone to pay for these costs. Approved proposing organisations can also ask for a contribution to cover administrative costs related to the application.
Visa holders must not be asked to pay back any of the costs associated with their proposal. The department of immigration and border protection would consider that to be in breach of the Deed of Agreement and apply sanctions.
The visa application charges are listed in Fees and charges.
For more information about the Community Proposal Pilot or to seek help getting in touch with an approved proposing organisation, send an email to the Community Proposal Pilot mailbox: [email protected]
Source: The Australian Department of Home Affairs (www.homeaffairs.gov.au). Please visit www.border.gov.au to get updated information.