A Humanitarian Solution for People Seeking Protection in Australia with Incentives for Regional Contribution
IMPORTANT: New SHEV grants have ended. Temporary Protection visa (785) and SHEV (790) holders transitioned to the permanent Resolution of Status visa (subclass 851) from February 2023. If you hold or previously held a SHEV, contact us about the Resolution of Status visa and your permanent residence options. This page is retained for reference. The Subclass 790 Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV) was a temporary protection visa for people who arrived in Australia without a valid visa (unauthorised arrivals) and are found to engage Australia’s protection obligations. This visa encourages self-reliance and regional contribution by offering a pathway to apply for other visas in the future if certain conditions are met.
✅ Key Benefits of the SHEV (Subclass 790)
- Temporary stay of up to 5 years
- Full rights to work and study in Australia
- Access to Medicare and some Centrelink support
- Eligible for certain mainstream services and English language training
- May offer a pathway to permanent visas if SHEV pathway requirements are met
- Encourages contribution to regional Australia
⚠️ Important Information
- This visa applied to people who arrived in Australia without a valid visa (unauthorised maritime or air arrival)
- You must be found to engage Australia’s protection obligations
- This visa is not a direct pathway to permanent residency, but there may be options if you meet the SHEV pathway conditions
- You must declare an intention to work or study in designated regional areas
👤 Who Is This Visa For?
This visa is for people who:
✔ Are in Australia as unauthorised arrivals
✔ Are found to be refugees or owed protection
✔ Wish to contribute to regional Australia through work or study
✔ Do not hold Australian citizenship or any other substantive visa
✔ Pass health, character, and security checks
📝 Application Process & Timeline
- Apply Online – Lodge your application through Immi Account
- Protection Assessment – Your claims are assessed by the Department of Home Affairs
- Visa Grant – If successful, you receive the SHEV for up to 5 years
- Work/Study in Regional Areas – Complete 42 months of eligible activities to explore further visa options
⏳ Processing times vary and can be lengthy due to detailed assessments and security screening.
📌 What Is the SHEV Pathway?
If you hold a SHEV and for 42 months you:
- Work without relying on Centrelink (except family payments), or
- Study full-time in designated regional areas,
You may become eligible to apply for certain permanent or provisional skilled or family visas (not another protection visa).
🛠 How Immigrad Can Help
✅ Expert assistance with protection claims and eligibility assessments
✅ Guidance on choosing the right designated regional area for study or work
✅ Support for future visa planning through the SHEV pathway
✅ Help with family reunion options under the Humanitarian Program
📞 Start Your Safe Haven Enterprise Visa Application
Book a Confidential Consultation Today
🔗 Official Resources
- Home Affairs – Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (Subclass 790)
- Designated Regional Areas – SHEV Pathway
- Protection Obligations and Eligibility Criteria
Note: Immigration regulations change frequently. While we maintain current knowledge, we recommend verifying information with the Department of Home Affairs or consulting a registered migration agent.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the subclass 790 SHEV cost?
The visa application charge published by the Department of Home Affairs is AUD50.00 for the Safe Haven Enterprise visa. Additional costs can apply for health examinations, translations and professional assistance. Charges are reviewed periodically, so check the Department’s visa listing for the figure that applies on the day you lodge.
How long does a Safe Haven Enterprise visa last?
A SHEV is a temporary visa granted for five years. It does not give permanent residence on its own. Near the end of that period, holders who still engage Australia’s protection obligations generally need to apply again for a further protection visa, or for another visa they are eligible for.
What can you do on a SHEV?
The Department states SHEV holders can stay in Australia temporarily for five years, work and study, and access government services such as Centrelink. Medicare and torture and trauma counselling are also generally available. Travel outside Australia is restricted and needs prior permission from the Department.
What is the SHEV pathway?
The SHEV pathway lets holders who work, without receiving certain Centrelink payments, or study in a designated SHEV regional area for the required period become eligible to apply for certain other visas, such as skilled, student or family visas. Meeting the pathway makes you eligible to apply; it does not guarantee a grant, and you must still meet all criteria for the visa you apply for.
Who can apply for a Safe Haven Enterprise visa?
You must engage Australia’s protection obligations, or be a member of the same family unit as someone who does, and meet health, character, identity and security requirements. You must also sign a declaration on the application form stating that you intend to work or study in regional Australia.
Does a SHEV lead to permanent residence?
Not directly. The SHEV is temporary. Meeting the SHEV pathway requirement removes a bar that would otherwise stop you applying for most other visas, so it opens a route, but any later visa is decided on its own criteria. Anyone told a permanent outcome is assured should seek a second opinion.
Related Immigrad guides
- Refugee and humanitarian visas — overview
- Subclass 866 Protection visa
- Subclass 200 Refugee visa — offshore resettlement
- How to check an Australian migration agent is registered
This page is general information only. It is not personal migration advice and it does not take your circumstances into account. Visa criteria, charges and thresholds change. Complex cases should be discussed with a registered migration agent. Immigrad is operated by Oceans Consultancy Pty Ltd; Gaurav Duggal, MARN 1805710. Information checked against the Department of Home Affairs on 22 September 2026.