Protection Visa to Permanent Residency – Is It Possible?

Many people are persecuted and tortured in their own countries. They face persecution due to race, religion, or nationality in their homeland. Due to these reasons, they find a secure and safe place to live. For this purpose, Australia offers a Protection Visa 866 to refugees. However, people often ask whether a protection visa to permanent residency is possible.

 

So, here we’re going to elaborate on whether you can get PR in Australia with visa 866 or not. Keep reading to know the details of Protection Visa in Australia.

 

What is a Protection Visa in Australia?

The Protection Visa Subclass 886 is a permanent visa stream for overseas individuals residing in their home country and seeking protection in Australia. This visa is granted for a specified period. It is for those experiencing serious threats or harm in their home country due to serious concerns such as religion, race, political issues, nationality differences, or membership in some social groups.  

To apply for protection visas, applicants must enter Australia on another valid Australian visa first. Those applicants can also sponsor their family members who want to accompany them. Their family members can also apply for permanent residency in Australia under the Offshore Humanitarian Program.

 

Requirements to Qualify for a Protection Visa in Australia

To be eligible for a Protection Visa (subclass 866) in Australia, you need to meet certain Protection Visa eligibility  criteria factors:

 

1. Be in Australia: You must already be in Australia and have arrived legally on a valid  Australia visa, then apply for the SC 866.

2. Please provide Evidence of Threats or Being Harmed: To apply for this visa, you must provide evidence of treats or harm experienced in your home country. 

3. Must Hold a Valid Visa: To secure a protection visa in Australia, applicants must hold a valid Australian visa.

 

Note: International people who possess a temporary humanitarian concern visa (subclass 786), temporary safe haven visa (subclass 449), safe haven enterprise visa (subclass 790), or temporary protection visa (subclass 785) are not eligible to apply for a Protection Visa (subclass 866). 

 

4. Engage Australia’s protection obligations: This means you must be a refugee or meet all the criteria for complementary protection, which includes facing severe harm if returned to your home country.

5. Meet Requirements: You ought to meet all the health, character, security, and identity requirements.

6. Not barred from applying: You should not be barred from applying for a protection visa under any Australian immigration laws.

 

Is Protection Visa to Permanent Residency Possible?

Yes, Protection Visa to permanent residency can be possible. It’s a permanent visa. If you get a Protection Visa, you can live in Australia permanently. Visa 866 is for refugees who arrive in Australia on a valid visa and need asylum. Refugees who engage Australia’s protection obligations are eligible for Protection Visa. Though, if you’re a refugee and want help to apply for visa 866, you can book a consultation with us.

 

You must be in Australia while applying for a Protection Visa. You can live and study in Australia with a visa 866. Moreover, it allows you to enroll in Medicare to get healthcare services in Australia. You can also have access to Centrelink services in Australia.

 

Holders of protection visas can live in Australia permanently and safely. Your family members can apply for PR in Australia via the offshore Humanitarian Program. Being a Protection visa holder, you can sponsor them for permanent residency in Australia. Visa 866 allows you to apply for Australian citizenship as well if you’re eligible for it.

 

What is the Cost of Protection Visa in Australia?

The average visa application cost for a Protection Visa (subclass 866) in Australia is AUD 40. This fee applies to both initial and subsequent applicants. There are no additional charges for your family members in your visa application.

 

How long does it take to get a Protection Visa?

It’s a very complex procedure to process Protection Visa applications. The Department of Home Affairs processes all applications for visa 866. It takes a few months to finalize the visa applications. However, there’s no specific processing time for visa 866.

 

Applicants are advised to fill out the application correctly to speed up the processing time. As Home Affairs might take longer if you don’t provide the required documents. Moreover, it may contact applicants for further information. Therefore, you should respond to them immediately.

 

Benefits of Protection Visa in Australia

By getting a protection visa Australia, you can enjoy the following benefits:

 

1. Stay in Australia Indefinitely: With a Protection Visa, you can remain in Australia for an indefinite period of time.

2. Travel Flexibility: You can travel in and out of Australia for up to 5 years.

3. Access to Medicare: You can enroll in the Australian Public Healthcare Scheme, Medicare, for your healthcare needs.

4. Live, Study, and Work Freely: You can enjoy the freedom to live, study, and work in Australia without restrictions.

5. Pathway to Citizenship: You can apply for Australian citizenship if you meet all the eligibility criteria.

6. Sponsor Family Members: You are allowed to sponsor eligible family members for permanent residency in Australia.

7. Free English Language Classes: You can attend up to 510 hours of free English language classes to improve your language skills.

8. Study in Australia: You can live and study in Australia with a visa 866. 

9. Access to Centrelink Services: You can also have access to Centrelink services in Australia.

10. Other Essential Leverages: Holders of protection visas can live in Australia permanently and safely. Your family members can apply for PR in Australia via the offshore Humanitarian Program. Being a Protection visa holder, you can sponsor them for permanent residency in Australia. Visa 866 allows you to apply for Australian citizenship as well if you’re eligible for it.

 

Can a Protection Visa applicant have study rights?

Yes, Protection Visa holders have the study rights in Australia. Once you obtain the Protection Visa 866, you’re free to study in Australia. As you become a permanent resident of Australia with visa 866. Therefore, you can enrol in the course of study. Furthermore, you can have work rights too. Protection Visa allows people to live, study and work in Australia permanently.

 

How to get a Protected Special Category Visa?

A protected Special Category Visa 444 is for the eligible citizens of New Zealand. If they meet the health and character requirements, they can apply for visa 444. A Special Category Visa is free of cost. It’s a temporary visa. It allows New Zealand citizens to live, work and study in Australia.

 

Special Category Visa 444 expires on the date you leave Australia. You’ve to apply for visa 444 each time you enter Australia. Your family members can also apply for visa 444 if they’re citizens of New Zealand. In case your family members aren’t New Zealand citizens, they may look for other visas to apply in Australia.

 

Visa 444 is for eligible  New Zealand citizens who meet the health and character requirements. 

 

Am I allowed to apply for Protection Visa second time?

No, you’re not. If Department of Home Affairs has refused your Protection Visa application before, you can’t apply for it again. You’re expected to have explained all your circumstances and protection claims to the Minister at the time of your first application for visa 866. You must have made full use of the assessment process and any avenues of review that were available to you.

 

You can’t apply for another Protection Visa if you’ve had a visa canceled before and leave Australia upon visa cancelation. 

 

It’s usually the only chance to get your protection claims considered by Australia. Likewise, it’s the only opportunity for you to navigate your path with a protection visa to permanent residency in Australia. If Home Affairs has refused your visa 866 application, you must leave Australia as soon as possible. You must respect the Australian immigration laws and policies. However, the Minister may allow a person to apply for a Protection Visa for the second time under the Migration Act.

 

Conclusion 

Are you concerned about whether a protection visa to permanent residency is possible or not? Then you must not be worried anymore. Protection Visa 866 is a permanent visa. If Home Affairs grants you visa 866, you can migrate to Australia permanently. If Home Affairs grants you visa 866, you can get permanent residency in Australia (if eligible).

 

Visa 866 aims to provide protection to refugees who seek asylum in Australia. If you’re facing persecution in your country due to any reason, you can apply for visa 866. For this purpose, if you need help in the application process, you can book a consultation with us right now.

 

FAQs

Can I travel to my home country on a protection visa?

No, generally, you can not travel to your home country on a Protection Visa subclass 866 without prior approval from the Department of Home Affairs. If you go to your home country without permission, your visa may be canceled. 

 

How Long Does a Protection Visa Last?

A protection visa subclass 866 is a permanent visa that lets you stay in Australia indefinitely. However, the travel facility attached to this is up to 5 years. For this purpose, you will need to apply for a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to maintain your travel rights. 

 

Is Visa 866 a Permanent Residency Visa?

Yes, with protection visa subclass 866, you can get permanent residency in Australia. This visa allows you to live, work, and study in Australia for an unspecified period of time.