- Subclass 790 (Safe Haven Enterprise Visa – SHEV) – A Temporary Humanitarian Visa with a Pathway to Opportunity
- Subclass 200 (Refugee Visa) – Permanent Protection for Refugees Outside Australia
- Subclass 866 (Protection Visa) – Permanent Protection for People Seeking Asylum in Australia
Refugee and humanitarian visas: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Protection visa and a Refugee visa?
A Protection visa (subclass 866) is for people already in Australia who arrived on a valid visa and seek asylum here. Refugee category visas (subclasses 200, 201, 203 and 204) are offshore visas for people outside Australia who are subject to persecution, usually referred to by the UNHCR for resettlement. Both lead to permanent residence if granted.
Is there a visa application charge for a refugee or humanitarian visa?
There is no visa application charge for the Refugee category visas (subclasses 200, 201, 203 and 204). There is also no charge for the Global Special Humanitarian visa (subclass 202), unless an Approved Proposing Organisation proposes you under the Community Support Program. The Safe Haven Enterprise visa (subclass 790) has a charge of AUD50.00.
How do I apply for a Refugee and Humanitarian visa now?
From 29 November 2025, Refugee and Humanitarian visa applications must be made in ImmiAccount. This does not apply to applications under the Community Support Program. For a subclass 202, the proposer must complete the proposal first, and the transaction reference number must be used to lodge the visa application within 60 days.
What is a Safe Haven Enterprise visa (subclass 790)?
The subclass 790 is for people who arrived in Australia without a visa and seek asylum. It is temporary, granted for 5 years, and allows work, study and access to government services such as Centrelink. Applicants must sign a declaration on the application form that they intend to work or study in regional Australia.
How long do refugee and humanitarian applications take?
The Department states the decision process for offshore refugee applications could take many months or even years, because applications for resettlement far exceed the places available each year, and that most applications will be unsuccessful. Processing times for Protection and Safe Haven Enterprise visas are not published. No adviser can predict an outcome or a date.
Is free help available for a Protection visa application?
Yes. The Department publishes information on free legal help for Protection visa applicants. Anyone paying for assistance should first read the Department’s guidance on who can help with a visa application, and should check that any paid adviser is a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner.
This page is general information only, current at 21 September 2026, and is not personal migration advice. Refugee and humanitarian matters are highly fact-specific and often time-critical. For advice on your circumstances, speak with a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner.