Australia’s visa for Afghan nationals through the Humanitarian and Migration program is the policy by the government. A special quota from Humanitarian Program has been set aside with the initial limit of 3,000. The Afghan nationals can also apply for the visa from Afghanistan and from other countries. Moreover, some other people can also apply on their behalf too if they cannot. The authorities of Australia is making sure to provide the visas to the people of Afghanistan:
- Currently living in Afghanistan,
- Shifted to another state, but are citizens of Afghanistan.
The citizens of Afghanistan can contact on +61 2 6196 0196 for detailed information on the visas from the Australian Home Affairs Authorities.
Locally Engaged Employees (LEEs)
Firstly, the authorities will give the first concern to Locally Engaged Employees (LEEs) who have informed their employers about any chances of harm.
Secondly, those people who have not met the requirements of the LEEs certification, but have any link with Australia, will also be on the top of the list for help. Moreover, the family members who have shifted to Australia are also on this list.
Lastly, the travel restrictions will not be implemented on the LEEs and their family members.
The humanitarian program
According to the declaration by Australia’s government on the 18th of August 2021, from Australia’s annual program, the Afghan people will be given a quota. The government provides 13,750 places on a yearly basis for the current “Humanitarian Program“. From these, 3000 will be specified for Afghan citizens only. Moreover, the government announced that they will increase the number of places near in the future ( 2021-2022).
To be verified in the humanitarian program of Australia, the Afghan citizens will be given the first concern. The verification of the application will be based on the humanitarian needs of the applicant. The timeframe for the processing of the application will be different depending upon the situation of the applicant. For example,
- Their locality,
- Capability to travel,
- The situation that how they are traveling, by submitting the documents or by contacting the government of Australia.
The authorities said the visa providers to be attentive before the issuance of the visa. They will thoroughly confirm the parameters like medical, security, and character to grant the visa.
All the data about the humanitarian program is available at Refugee and Humanitarian visa options.
The citizens of Afghanistan who are outside of Australia can also register themselves in this program.
To get an offshore humanitarian visa, the afghan people can access Form 842 Application for an Offshore Humanitarian visa. Depending upon the declaration and the priorities of the government, the applications will get the verifications.
Who can apply from your side?
If you have any type of issue while applying for a visa, another individual can also apply from your side. The list of the people who can apply are:
- Your prosper,
- A member of the family who is close to you,
- A parliamentarian,
- A lawful practitioner,
- A member of the consular post,
- A verified migration agent,
- A member of the International Council,
- A member of a diplomatic mission.
Please note!
If someone from the above list is applying from your side, then they will fill up the Application Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, exempt individual, or lawful practitioner.
The Migration Program
On the other hand, the people who want to shift to Australia on the basis of their expertise and connection with families are eligible for the Migration program of Australia in order to get the visa through the migration program, will have to fully reach all the requirements. Few of the visas categories are subjected to capping and queuing arrangements.
In accordance with the migration rules and regulations, the permanent visa issuance process takes some extra time.
In Afghanistan, all existing citizenship by descent applications for Afghan nationals is being prioritized.
Citizens of Australia in Afghanistan
The citizens of Australia who are currently in Afghanistan, if need any help, can contact the emergency center. The contact number for,
- outside Australia is +61 2 6261 3305.
- inside Australia is 1300 555 135.
Citizens of Australia and permanent citizens along with their families must be verified through DFEAT.
For regular updates, check Smartraveller, keep in contact, and preserve your travel documents with you.
Afghan residents in Australia
The announcement about the Afghan people who are currently in Australia are:
- Those Afghan people will not be forced by authorities to leave the state in any of the conditions,
- Those Afghan residents, holding the temporary visa, will get assistance from the government of Australia to how to stay further in the country,
- Afghan people who are eligible for the humanitarian visa and want help from the government of Australia must submit an application. All the details about it are there at Refugee and humanitarian visa options.
Family reunification
The detail about the family reunification via humanitarian program and Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) or Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV) are given below:
Humanitarian program
The Special Humanitarian Program of Australia reconnects immigrants with their families in Australia. The immediate family of those who have been resettled as part of the Humanitarian Program is given top consideration. All applications must meet certain requirements in order to be considered.
Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) or Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV) visa holders
The people having the TPV and SHEV cannot rejoin their family members through the humanitarian programs. This is in connection with the Government’s Execution Sovereign Borders policy, which states that no one who reaches Australia unlawfully by ship will be allowed to stay. Operation Sovereign Borders was set up to protect vulnerable people:
- From smugglers,
- prevent deaths at sea,
- preserve the integrity of Australia’s boundaries.