Visa file / Visitor and other visas
Refugee and humanitarian visas (offshore) 200 to 204
Refugee and humanitarian visas, usually applied for outside Australia. General information only.
In force
Who it is for
People outside Australia who are refugees or subject to substantial discrimination: Refugee (200, usually referred by UNHCR), In-country Special Humanitarian (201), Global Special Humanitarian (202, proposed by an Australian person or organisation), Emergency Rescue (203) and Woman at Risk (204). This page is general information only.
Published eligibility
- Applications are usually lodged outside Australia; places are limited under the Humanitarian Program.
- Specialist help is essential.
Where you apply from
Outside Australia.
General information only. Matters like this often need specialist help. A registered migration agent can explain the options and refer you to specialist or free services where appropriate.
From first enquiry to grant and after.
The usual steps, and where a registered migration agent can help at each one. Immi Worldwide gives general information and settlement support, never advice about your visa.
- 01
Get specialist help
Free services may be able to help.
Where a registered migration agent can helpOnly an agent with specialist humanitarian experience should act; the agent refers you if needed.
Charges and processing times.
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Refugee (200), In-country Special Humanitarian (201), Emergency Rescue (203) and Woman at Risk (204) | Nil |
| Global Special Humanitarian (202), not proposed under the Community Support Program | Nil |
| Global Special Humanitarian (202), amount in the Home Affairs pricing table (see note) | A$570 |
The Home Affairs 202 page says there is no charge unless the applicant is proposed under the Community Support Program by an Approved Proposing Organisation. The Home Affairs pricing table also lists A$570 for subclass 202. Check the Visa Pricing Estimator or ask the registered migration agent which amount applies to you. Source: Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026. Check the Visa Pricing Estimator before you rely on a figure.
Processing times: not published by Home Affairs for this visa. Global visa processing times.
Common refusal reasons
- Criteria not met.
- Limited places.
Drawn from the published criteria and general practice experience. They are not Departmental statistics.
Document checklist
General
A general list. The Department's own document checklist for your application is the one that counts. Ticks stay on this page only.
What changed, and what people ask.
No recent changes are listed for this visa. Check the Home Affairs page for the latest information.
Sources
- Home Affairs: Refugee visa (subclass 200)
- Home Affairs: Global Special Humanitarian visa (subclass 202)
Information checked 22 October 2026. General information only, not advice about your circumstances.
How any of these rules applies to a particular person, which visa to choose, and any application are immigration assistance, given only by a registered migration agent.
Immi Worldwide does not give immigration assistance. For advice about your own situation, Immi Worldwide can refer you to Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130, of The Immigration Worldwide Pty Ltd, or you can choose any registered migration agent.
The referral form opens with the box to pass your enquiry to the registered agent already ticked. Immi Worldwide does not charge for a referral.