The Australian Government has announced that Afghan citizens will be prioritised for processing within Australia’s offshore Humanitarian Program.
- This financial year, 3,000 of the 13,750 places will be dedicated to ensuring Afghan citizens are offered permanent protection by Australia. This will include places from the sponsored and refugee streams.
- Since 1 July 2013, more than 8,500 visas have been granted to Afghans under the Humanitarian Program.
Priority will be given to persecuted minorities, women and children and those who have links to Australia, such as family members.
- Applicants must meet the visa criteria and satisfy Public Interest Criteria for Character, Security and Health. The safety and security of Australia is an absolute priority
- We will work with Afghan community leaders in Australia in this process
- We will also work with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to identify Afghan refugees most in need.
Afghan citizens seeking an Australian visa, should submit application online (homeaffairs.gov.au)
If they are currently in Afghanistan, or overseas without internet access, they can call Home Affairs on +61 2 6196 0196.