Refugee visa (Subclass 200) - Australian Visa

Overview

From 29 November 2025, you must use ImmiAccount to apply for a Refugee and Humanitarian visa. This doesn’t apply if you are submitting an application under the Community Support Program.

Stay

Permanently

Cost

There is no visa application charge for this visa

Processing times

The decision process could take many months, or even years. The number of applications we receive for resettlement each year is far greater than available visas.

With this visa, you can

stay in Australia permanently
work and study in Australia
propose family members for permanent residence

See all conditions for:

Check your eligibility

You must

enter Australia by the date on your visa
you and your family members must obey all Australian laws

We usually grant this visa to people referred to us by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for resettlement in Australia.

Help with your visa

If you are getting help with your visa, before you pay someone, read information on Who can help with your visa application.

About this visa

With this visa, you can

How long you can stay

With this visa, you can

stay in Australia permanently
work and study in Australia
enrol in Australia's public healthcare scheme, Medicare
propose family members for permanent residence
travel to and from Australia for 5 years
if eligible become an Australian citizen
attend free English language classes through the Adult Migrant English Program

How long you can stay

This is a permanent visa. It lets you stay in Australia permanently.

You become a permanent resident when you enter Australia.

For citizenship purposes, your permanent residence starts on the day you enter Australia on this visa.

Include family

You can also add certain family members to your application at any time before we decide on your application.

For this visa, your family are:

your
your ren
your partner’s dependent children
other who is a

If your child is not dependent on you, they must apply for their own visa.

Family members who apply for the visa must meet our health and character requirements.

Family members who are not coming to Australia might also have to meet our health requirement.

It is important to declare all of your family members, even if they will not be applying with you.

If you do not declare a family member in your application, you may not be able to propose them for a Humanitarian visa after you arrive in Australia.

Cost

There is no visa application charge for this visa

Apply from

You must be outside Australia when you apply. You must also be outside Australia when your visa is granted.

Processing times

We generally acknowledge Humanitarian visa applications in writing. Processing times can vary according to the applicant’s:

particular circumstances
location
ability to travel
ability to provide documents
access to Australian government officials.

The decision process takes many months, even years. The number of applications we receive for resettlement each year is far greater than available visas.

Your application can take longer to process if:

your application form is not filled in correctly
you do not include all the documents we need, or we need more information from you
it takes us time to verify your information.

Processing times also vary according to individual and family circumstances, such as health conditions that might require testing or treatment.

We will contact you at key stages of processing and when a decision is made.

Priority processing

The Australian Government has established policy to guide decisions on which applications we should generally give priority. This policy includes those who are outside their home country and are one of following:

assessed as a refugee by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and referred to Australia for resettlement, or
proposed by immediate family member (for example, spouse, child under 18) who holds a Class XB visa (subclass 200, 201, 202, 203 or 204) or close family member (for example, sibling, adult child, parent) who holds a refugee category visa (subclass 200, 201, 203 or 204).

Because of the limited number of resettlement places available each year and the high demand for them, we accept applicants in the most compelling circumstances only.

Assisted Passage

The Assisted Passage program supports the delivery of Australia’s Offshore Humanitarian Program and provides health screening, travel and medical related services to refugee category visa applicants and visa holders.

The Assisted Passage service has transitioned from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to Toll Remote Logistics Pty Ltd (Toll). Toll are responsible for delivering Assisted Passage services globally.

Toll will help you to attend health appointments and, if you are granted a visa, assist you to travel to Australia.

Your obligations

You must enter Australia before the first entry arrival date (initial arrival date) specified in your grant letter.

If you signed a health undertaking, you must comply with it.

You and your family members must obey all Australian laws.

Travel

The department will arrange your travel to Australia at no cost to you. If the first entry arrival date (initial arrival date) specified in your grant letter has passed, we may issue you with a travel facilitation letter. We may first ask you to undergo another medical examination.

You can travel to and from Australia for 5 years from the date we grant the visa. After 5 years you will need a Resident Return (RRV) visa (subclass 155) or (subclass 157) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.

More information

The number of applications we receive for resettlement each year is far greater than available visas.

There are four visa subclasses included in the Refugee category of the Humanitarian Program. They are:

Refugee (subclass 200)
In-country Special Humanitarian (subclass 201)
Emergency Rescue (subclass 203)
Woman at Risk (subclass 204).

We will consider your application against each subclass.

You can find more information at Refugee visas (offshore).

Eligibility

Be living outside Australia

You can't apply for this visa in Australia.

Face persecution

You need resettlement because you face persecution in your home country.

Work

You can work on this visa.

Meet our health requirement

You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet our health requirement.

Family members who do not apply with you might also have to meet our health requirement.

If you have compassionate and compelling circumstances, we might waive your health requirement.

Meet our character requirement

You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet our character requirement.

Family members who do not apply with you might also have to meet our character requirement.

Sign the Australian values statement

If you are 18 years of age or older, you must confirm you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws when you sign or accept the Australian Values Statement.

Have paid back your debt to the Australian government

If you or any family members (including those who don't apply for the visa with you) owe the Australian Government money, you or they must have paid it back or arranged to pay it back.

Meet all these criteria? Check how to apply in our step by step guide.

How to apply

Step 1

Before you apply

Check that you are eligible.

If you need help with your application, get someone to act on your behalf.

Get help with your application

Only some people can help you with your application. If you appoint someone to give you immigration assistance they must be:

You can appoint anyone to receive documents on your behalf relating to your visa matter.

Step 2

Gather your documents

Provide accurate information

Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can't prove your identity or don't provide true information.

Identity documents

Provide the pages of your current passport showing your photo, personal details, and passport issue and expiry dates.

Also provide:

a national identity card, if you have one
proof of change of name

Documents that prove a change of name include:

a marriage or divorce certificate
change of name documents from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, or the relevant overseas authority
documents that show other names you have been known by

If you can't provide these items, provide a statement explaining why you have no travel or identity documents.

Humanitarian circumstances

Please provide proof if you have registered with any international organisation dealing with refugees, such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

If you have been referred for resettlement by the UNHCR, provide a full copy of your resettlement registration form.

Also write a statement, in English, about why you left your home country.

Visas or residence permits

Provide certified copies of any visas or residence permits you hold.

Relationship documents

Provide certified copies of marriage certificates or relationship registrations for you and anyone else included in your application, even if they are not joining you in Australia.

Photographs

Provide 2 recent photographs (45mm x 35mm).

The photographs should be of the head and shoulders only against a plain background.

Print your name on the back of each photograph.

Character documents

Provide military service records or discharge papers if you served in the armed forces of any country.

Tell us you are getting help

To nominate someone to:

receive your correspondence, use Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient (301KB PDF)
provide immigration assistance, use Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person (308KB PDF).

Send written notification or your forms with your paper application.

Partner documents

Provide:

identity documents
character documents
documents about other relationships, if applicable
any visas or residence permits held
2 photographs, as described in the information for the main applicant

Provide either:

your current marriage certificate, or
documents to prove you have been in a de facto relationship with your partner for at least 12 months before you apply

Documents that prove your de facto relationship include:

joint bank account statements
billing accounts in joint names
joint leases or mortgages
documents that show your partner has lived at the same address as you

Dependants under 18 documents

For every dependant under 18 years old who is applying with you, provide:

identity documents, or a statement explaining why they have no travel or identity documents
proof of your relationship with them, like a birth or marriage certificate
any visas or residence permits held
any marriage certificates or relationship registrations held
character documents, if applicable
2 photographs, as described in the information for the main applicant

Parental responsibility documents

Unless you have a court order you must get consent for the child to come to Australia from anyone who:

has a legal right to decide where the child lives and
is not coming to Australia with the child

They must complete either:

Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years (276KB PDF)
a statutory declaration giving their consent for the child to resettle in Australia

Include a document with the signature and photo of the person who completed the form or declaration, such as a:

passport
driver’s licence

If the child is not staying with a relative or legal guardian, provide Form 1257 Undertaking declaration (211KB PDF). The person they are staying with must sign the form.

Dependants over 18 documents

For every dependant aged 18 years or older who is applying with you, provide:

identity documents
documents about their other relationships, if applicable
character documents
any visas or residence permits held
2 photographs, as described in the information for the main applicant

Proof of dependency

You must demonstrate financial, physical or psychological dependence.

Prepare your documents

Translate

Have all non-English documents translated into English.

Provide original and translated documents in your application.

Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.

Translators outside Australia do not have to be accredited. But on each translation, they must include their:

full name
address and telephone number
qualifications and experience in the language they are translating

These details must be in English.

Certify

Have all documents certified. This includes:

non-English documents
English translations

Keep a copy

Keep a copy of your completed application.

Send

Send us:

certified copies of all documents
as much information as possible to help us decide on your application
each document only once, even if you are using it to show more than one thing
all documents with your application, if you can

Step 3

Apply for the visa

Provide accurate information

Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can't prove your identity or don't provide true information.

Apply online

Follow these steps to apply:

Log in to ImmiAccount. If you do not have an ImmiAccount login, you will need to create a new account.
Click ‘New application’.
Click ‘Refugee & Humanitarian’.
Click ‘Offshore Humanitarian Visa (200, 201, 202, 203, 204)’.
Complete the application.
Submit the application.

Have family applications processed together

Submit your visa applications and supporting documents together.

This helps give us a clear idea of everyone that is applying for a visa.

In your application, you must list all family members who are also applying for their own visa.

Step 4

After you apply

What will happen after you apply

We will let you know when we have received your application and documents.

We will advise you if you are required to undertake a medical examination and or have your biometrics collected. Toll, the Department’s Assisted Passage service provider, will assist you with these requirements. If you are requested to undertake these requirements, further information can be found in the letters below.

Status updates

We can’t give updates on applications.

Wait for us to contact you. Ensure you keep us up to date with contact details and changes in circumstances.

Travel after you apply

Do not arrange travel to Australia until we let you know, in writing, that we have granted you the visa.

Health exams

We will let you know if you need health examinations.

Biometrics

We might ask for biometrics (fingerprints and photo). We will let you know if you need to provide them.

Attach more information

If you did not attach all documents when you applied send them to the office where you sent the application, quoting the file number we have given you.

We might also ask you to provide more information.

Attend an interview

We might ask you to attend an interview. You must bring your passport or other identification and any other requested documents. You might be asked about:

your situation, including why you are applying for a humanitarian visa
your family
information you provided in your application

If we receive information that could result in you being refused a visa, we will usually give you the opportunity to comment.

Add family

In some circumstances you can add certain family members to your application before we decide on your application.

Complete Form 1436 Adding an additional applicant after lodgement (481KB PDF).

Mistakes on your application

Let us know as soon as you can if you made a mistake on your application.

Complete Form 1023 Notification of incorrect answers (168KB PDF).

Help with your application

Let us know if you no longer want someone to:

receive your correspondence - complete Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient (301KB PDF)
provide immigration advice - complete Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person (308KB PDF).

Send written notification or your forms to the office your submitted your application.

For more information see Who can help you with your application.

Tell us if things change

Things you need to let us know about after you have applied include:

changes to your phone number, email, address or passport
changes to your marital or de facto status
the birth of a child
you want to withdraw your application

See how to tell us if your situation changes.

Step 5

Visa outcome

We will let you know our decision by email or letter.

About visa outcome

If we grant your visa, we will tell you:

your visa grant number
the date your visa starts
your visa conditions, if applicable

Keep a copy of the decision.

If we refuse your visa, we will tell you:

why we refused the visa
whether you have a right to a review of the decision

When you have this visa

Coming to Australia

In Australia

Leaving Australia

Coming to Australia

Before you leave

To find out about Australian history, culture, society and values, read the Life in Australia booklet.

You must arrive in Australia by the date specified in the letter we sent you when we granted your visa.

Other support

You can get help from the following organisations and programs:

Australian Cultural Orientation (AUSCO) Program

This 5-day program is free and open to all humanitarian visa holders over the age of 5. It is delivered overseas, to give you an understanding of life in Australia before you arrive.

Humanitarian Settlement Program

This service will contact you when your visa is approved. It is free and runs across Australia. The focus is on helping you to learn English and to gain education or work skills.

Read more about the Humanitarian Settlement Program.

Departure health check

You, and any family members travelling with you on the visa, may be required to have a health check in the 72 hours before you leave for Australia.

The Australian Government will cover the cost of your health check.

The departure health check includes:

checking that you are healthy enough to travel
a physical check up
a pregnancy test
tests for communicable diseases
vaccinations if needed, such as for measles, mumps and rubella
treatment of parasites and infestations if needed

You must agree to follow up on any health conditions after you arrive in Australia.

Check your travel documents

You must have:

a valid visa to enter Australia
a valid travel document such as a passport or ImmiCard

At the Border

Completing an Incoming Passenger Card

All people arriving in Australia must complete the Incoming Passenger Card. You will get a card on board.

In Australia

What can you do when you have this visa

stay in Australia permanently
work and study in Australia
enrol in Australia's public healthcare scheme, Medicare
propose family members for permanent residence
travel to and from Australia for 5 years
if eligible become an Australian citizen
attend free English language classes through the Adult Migrant English Program

What you must do on your visa

You and your family members must obey all Australian laws.

Tell us if things change

Things you need to let us know about include:

changes to your phone number, email, address or immicard
changes to your relationship status
the birth of a child

See what to do if your situation changes.

Travelling on your visa

You can travel to and from Australia for 5 years from the date we grant the visa. After 5 years you will need a Resident Return (RRV) visa (subclass 155) to re-enter Australia. To see when the 5 years ends, use VEVO.

Proving you have a visa

To obtain evidence you have a visa and show your conditions to someone, use VEVO.

Request your international movement records to get proof of your travel in and out of Australia.

Work and study

With this visa, you can work and study. You are protected by Australian workplace law. For more information on your workplace rights and entitlements see Visa holders and migrant workers.

Bringing family

As an Australian permanent resident, you might be able to sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia.

To find a visa for your family member, explore visa options.

You can also propose a family member for a Subclass 202 Global Special Humanitarian visa

Becoming an Australian citizen

After a certain time, you might be eligible for Australian citizenship. Find out more about becoming an Australian citizen.

For citizenship purposes, your permanent residency starts on the day you entered Australia on this visa.

Leaving Australia

Before you leave

Check your travel documents

You must have a valid travel document to leave Australia. Check your VEVO.

Ensure your visa is still valid and allows for re-entry to Australia

See what to do if your visa has expired or is about to expire.

After you leave

Proving you have been to Australia

Request your international movement records to get proof of your travel in and out of Australia.

Official Information

For complete eligibility requirements, application process, processing times and costs, visit the official Department of Home Affairs page.

View on Home Affairs

Important Disclaimer

The information on this page is intended as a general guide only. Always verify the latest details on the official Department of Home Affairs website or seek help from a registered migration agent.