Australia’s Department of Home Affairs has clarified the requirements for its Subclass 866 Protection Visa, a permanent pathway for eligible asylum seekers who are already in the country.
The visa is only open to foreign nationals who entered Australia lawfully and are physically present there when they apply.
Who qualifies for Australia’s visa
Successful applicants can remain in Australia permanently, with no expiry date attached to their residency.
Their permanent residence begins on the date the visa is granted, which also counts towards the residency requirements for a future citizenship application.
Applicants must meet health, character and national security requirements.
The department says the visa is not available to people who arrived by sea without authorisation, were not cleared by immigration on their most recent entry, or apply from outside Australia.
The government also requires applicants to show that Australia has protection obligations towards them under relevant conventions.
The Subclass 866 is distinct from offshore humanitarian programmes, which assess applicants before they travel to Australia.
