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Protection Visa
A Protection visa is a type of visa offered by the Australian government to individuals who are seeking protection due to a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country. This persecution may be based on factors such as race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. The Protection visa is designed to provide refuge and safety to those who are unable or unwilling to return to their home country due to fear of harm.
Key features of the Protection visa:
- Refugee Status: To be eligible for a Protection visa, an individual must meet the criteria of the United Nations’ definition of a refugee. This definition includes experiencing a genuine and well-founded fear of persecution and being unable or unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of their home country.
- Visa Subclasses: Protection visas fall under different subclasses, such as the Subclass 866 (Protection visa), which is for people who are in Australia and meet the refugee criteria. There are other subclasses for those who are outside Australia or are in specific circumstances.
- Asylum Seekers: Many individuals apply for a Protection visa after arriving in Australia seeking asylum. Asylum seekers may arrive by various means, including by boat or through authorized channels.
- Assessment Process: The assessment process for a Protection visa involves evaluating the applicant’s claims of persecution and determining whether they meet the refugee criteria. This process can include interviews, documentation review, and gathering of evidence.
- Health and Character Checks: Like all Australian visas, applicants for a Protection visa must meet health and character requirements.
- No Discrimination: The assessment of Protection visa applications is based on the principle of non-discrimination. Decisions are made without regard to an applicant’s race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.
- Temporary and Permanent Protection: In some cases, an applicant may be granted a Temporary Protection visa (TPV) or a Safe Haven Enterprise visa (SHEV) initially. These visas provide temporary protection and can later lead to permanent protection if certain conditions are met.
- Family Members: Family members of the primary Protection visa applicant may also be eligible to apply for visas based on family reunion grounds.
