Exploring Humanitarian & Special Programs for Visas (2024)

Humanitarian and special programs for visas are designed to provide protection and assistance to individuals facing significant hardships. A humanitarian visa is specifically designed to offer protection and refuge to people who are in dire need of assistance due to reasons such as war, ethnic cleansing, natural disasters, or persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

Exploring Humanitarian & Special Programs for Visas (2024) immigrationhub.com.ng

Unlike other visa categories that are primarily for tourism, study, or work, the humanitarian visa focuses on safeguarding human rights and upholding the dignity of individuals facing severe threats to their safety and well-being. The ultimate purpose of a humanitarian visa is not just to provide a temporary haven but also to offer a pathway to a more stable and secure life for those who have nowhere else to turn.

The concept of a humanitarian visa stands as a beacon of hope for individuals and families facing dire circumstances around the world. It serves as a critical pathway to safety and security for those fleeing persecution, violence, or natural disasters.

This particular category of visa, distinct from traditional immigration avenues, is designed to provide temporary refuge or permanent resettlement options based on humanitarian grounds.

The essence of a humanitarian visa lies in its purpose: to extend a helping hand to those in urgent need of protection, underscoring the international community’s commitment to human rights and compassion.

Understanding the nuances of a humanitarian visa is essential for anyone seeking refuge or looking to assist others in navigating this complex process. The visa not only offers a lifeline to individuals in distress but also embodies the broader principles of empathy and international solidarity.

Here are some key types:

1. Refugee and Asylum Programs

Refugee Status: Offered to individuals who have fled their home country due to persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
Asylum: Similar to refugee status but applied for by individuals already in the host country. Applicants must demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution.

2. Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

Granted to individuals from designated countries experiencing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or extraordinary conditions. TPS allows them to stay and work in the host country temporarily.

3. Humanitarian Parole

A temporary visa that allows individuals to enter a country for urgent humanitarian reasons. It is not a permanent status but can provide access to care or safety for a limited time.

4. U Visas

Available for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are willing to assist law enforcement. U visas provide legal status and work authorization.

5. T Visas

For individuals who are victims of human trafficking. This visa allows them to remain in the host country and work while they assist authorities in investigating trafficking cases.

6. Special Immigrant Visas (SIV)

Typically for individuals who worked with the U.S. government in conflict zones, such as interpreters or other support staff, and who are at risk due to their affiliation.

7. Diversity Visa Lottery

A program that provides visas to individuals from countries with low immigration rates to the U.S. It aims to diversify the immigrant population.

8. Family Reunification Programs

Many countries allow visas for family members of citizens or permanent residents, facilitating the reunification of families separated by migration.

Application Process

  • Documentation: Applicants usually need to provide evidence of their situation (e.g., persecution, victimization).
  • Interviews: Many programs require an interview to assess eligibility.
  • Legal Assistance: It’s often recommended to seek legal advice or assistance, as the application processes can be complex.

These programs reflect a commitment to providing safety and support to vulnerable populations facing dire circumstances. Each program has specific eligibility criteria and application procedures, which can vary significantly by country.

The Special Humanitarian Program (SHP)

​​To be eligible to apply for a Global Special Humanitarian visa (subclass 202) through the Special Humanitarian Program you must be:

  • outside Australia (offshore)
  • living outside your home country
  • subject to substantial discrimination in your home country amounting to a gross violation of your human rights
  • proposed by an Australian citizen or Permanent resident, an Eligible New Zealand citizen, or an organization based in Australia.

Apply

Apply for the Global Special Humanitarian (subclass 202) visa.

Proposer obligations

Before you arrive

If the application is approved, you and your proposer are responsible for arranging and paying for your travel to Australia.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) may be able to assist you under their prepaid migration travel program. For more information see Travel Assistance for Migration to Australia

The Australian Government will pay for the medical and x-ray examinations needed for your visa.

When you arrive

Your proposer is expected to help you settle in Australia. Your proposer must meet you at the airport and help you with:

  • your immediate accommodation needs
  • finding permanent accommodation

services and service providers such as:

  • Australia’s public healthcare scheme, Medicare
  • Australia’s social security agency, Centrelink
  • banks
  • public transport
  • translating and interpreting services
  • health care
  • education
  • employment
  • childcare.

SHP visa applications, which are accompanied by a form 681, are processed in the following order:

Priority 1 (Split / Immediate Family)

The proposer is an immediate family member (partner or dependent child, or, if the proposer is under 18 years of age, the proposer’s parent) and one of the following:

  • They were granted a Class XB visa
  • They are an Australian citizen who held a Protection or Resolution of Status visa
    They met the split-family criteria, this means the applicant:
  • was a member of the immediate family of the proposer when we granted the proposer their visa
  • the proposer told us about the relationship before we granted the proposer their visa
  • ​the application was made within 5 years of us granting the proposer their visa.

Priority 2 – Close family

The applicant is proposed by a close family member who does not hold a Protection (XA-866) or Resolution of Status (CD-851) visa (partners, children, parents and siblings who do not otherwise meet the ‘split family’ definition).

Priority 3 – Extended Family

The applicant is proposed by an extended family member who does not hold a Protection (XA-866) or Resolution of Status visa (CD-851) (grandparents, grandchildren, cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews).

Priority 4

The applicant is proposed by a friend or distant relative who does not hold a Protection (XA-866) or Resolution of Status (CD-851) visa or by a community organization.

Priority 5

The applicant is proposed by a person granted a Protection (XA-866) or Resolution of Status (CD-851) visa. If these proposers become Australian citizens, then applications they propose become priority 1, 2, 3 or 4 according to their relationship.

A person who arrived in Australia as an unauthorized maritime arrival (UMA) on or after 13 August 2012 cannot propose family members under the Humanitarian Program. This is in line with the Migration Regulations 1994.

What is the special humanitarian program?

With this visa you can move to Australia if you face substantial discrimination or human rights abuses, and have a proposer, and stay in Australia permanently with your immediate family.

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