449 — Humanitarian Stay (Temporary) visa

Australia•Oceania

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449 — Humanitarian Stay (Temporary) visa

Residency Pathway PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

Varies

Application Fee

Free

Stay Duration

6 months

Not renewable

Dependents allowed

PR pathway

No job offer needed

Remote work OK

Official Information

Living in Australia

Cost of Living

1% cheaper than United States

Avg SalaryA$67,200

Quality of Life

190/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

The Humanitarian Stay (Temporary) visa (subclass 449) is an Australian invitation-only visa for foreign nationals in Australia on a temporary visa who cannot return home due to a government-recognised crisis such as Ukraine or Gaza. Applicants cannot apply; the government initiates the offer.

Holders may live, work, and study in Australia with no application fee; family members can be included. It is step one of a two-stage pathway leading to a Temporary Humanitarian Concern (subclass 786) visa for 3 years, with some holders later offered permanent residence via subclass 851.

This visa is ideal for nationals of crisis-affected countries in Australia on a temporary visa who have been personally invited by the Minister for Immigration to remain during an ongoing emergency.

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Australia

851 — Resolution of Status visa

ValidityIndefinite

ProcessingVaries

View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be invited by the Minister for Immigration to apply.

Must be a national of a country significantly affected by a crisis (e.g., Ukraine, Palestine, Israel) as determined by the government.

Must be in Australia on a temporary visa at the time of the offer.

Must be unable to return to their usual place of residence due to the ongoing crisis.

Must meet health, character, and security requirements.

Must accept the offer individually (parents/guardians can accept for minors).

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport or travel document.

Official invitation letter from the Department of Home Affairs.

Completed offer acceptance and information request form.

Evidence of identity and nationality.

Health examination results (if requested).

Police certificates or character assessment documents (if requested).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Provides a lawful pathway to remain in Australia during a crisis.
Allows for work and study in Australia.
Access to certain settlement support services (e.g., AMEP, HSP).
No application fee.
Serves as the first step in a two-stage pathway leading to a 3-year Temporary Humanitarian Concern (subclass 786) visa.

Worth Knowing

Invitation-only; you cannot apply without one.
Does not provide access to Medicare (unlike the subsequent 786 visa).
Accepting this offer may affect eligibility for other visa pathways, including Protection visas (subclass 866).
It is a temporary measure and does not automatically lead to permanent residency.
Professional legal advice is strongly recommended before accepting, due to long-term immigration implications.

Application Process

Wait for an official invitation from the Department of Home Affairs via email, or submit an expression of interest via the official government webform if applicable.

Access the link provided in the invitation letter to complete the offer acceptance and information request form.

Provide necessary personal and identity information as requested.

Undergo health, character, and security checks as required by the Department.

Await the visa grant notification.

Verified Claims (18)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps

Wait for an official invitation from the Department of Home Affairs via email, or submit an expressi…

homeaffairs.gov.au

Can Convert To

au-786; au-851

homeaffairs.gov.au

Dependent Visa

Can include family members

homeaffairs.gov.au

Fees

No application fee

homeaffairs.gov.au

Forms

—

homeaffairs.gov.au

Included Nationalities

—

homeaffairs.gov.au

Job Offer Required

false

homeaffairs.gov.au

Official Info

https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-and-support/hamas-israel-conflict/information-for-palestinian-is…

homeaffairs.gov.au

Official Information

Living in Australia

Cost of Living

1% cheaper than United States

Avg SalaryA$67,200

Quality of Life

190/200

Full Country Guide

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Overview

This visa is ideal for nationals of crisis-affected countries in Australia on a temporary visa who have been personally invited by the Minister for Immigration to remain during an ongoing emergency.

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be invited by the Minister for Immigration to apply.

Must be a national of a country significantly affected by a crisis (e.g., Ukraine, Palestine, Israel) as determined by the government.

Must be in Australia on a temporary visa at the time of the offer.

Must be unable to return to their usual place of residence due to the ongoing crisis.

Must meet health, character, and security requirements.

Must accept the offer individually (parents/guardians can accept for minors).

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport or travel document.

Official invitation letter from the Department of Home Affairs.

Completed offer acceptance and information request form.

Evidence of identity and nationality.

Health examination results (if requested).

Police certificates or character assessment documents (if requested).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Provides a lawful pathway to remain in Australia during a crisis.
Allows for work and study in Australia.
Access to certain settlement support services (e.g., AMEP, HSP).
No application fee.
Serves as the first step in a two-stage pathway leading to a 3-year Temporary Humanitarian Concern (subclass 786) visa.

Worth Knowing

Invitation-only; you cannot apply without one.
Does not provide access to Medicare (unlike the subsequent 786 visa).
Accepting this offer may affect eligibility for other visa pathways, including Protection visas (subclass 866).
It is a temporary measure and does not automatically lead to permanent residency.
Professional legal advice is strongly recommended before accepting, due to long-term immigration implications.

Application Process

Wait for an official invitation from the Department of Home Affairs via email, or submit an expression of interest via the official government webform if applicable.