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790 — Safe Haven Enterprise Visa

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

At a Glance

Processing Time

Varies

Application Fee

50 AUD

Stay Duration

5 years

Renewable

Yes

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Not Specified

PR Pathway

Available

Remote Work

Not Required

Apply Now 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

Safe Haven Enterprise Visa.

The Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV, subclass 790) is an Australian temporary protection visa for people who arrived without a valid visa and engage Australia's protection obligations. It grants a 5-year stay with rights to live, work, and study, plus access to Medicare, Centrelink, and free English classes.

SHEV holders who work or study in a designated regional area for 42 cumulative months without Special Benefit payments may access the SHEV pathway to apply for certain other visas, including permanent ones. The fee is AUD 50. Travel to the holder's home country is banned under condition 8570.

This visa is ideal for unauthorised arrivals assessed as needing protection who are willing to live and work in regional Australia to pursue a pathway to permanent status.

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

491 — Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491)

Australia

491 — Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491)

Validity5 years

Processing90-730 days

View Visa Details

186 — Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)

Australia

186 — Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)

ValidityIndefinite

Processing6-12 months

View Visa Details

189 — Skilled Independent (Subclass 189)

Australia

189 — Skilled Independent (Subclass 189)

ValidityIndefinite

Processing3-15 months

View Visa Details

Australia

190 — Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190)

ValidityIndefinite

ProcessingVaries

View Visa Details

Australia

500 — Student Visa (Subclass 500)

ValidityUp to 6 years (in line with enrolment)

Processing1-2 months

View Visa Details

Australia

820/801 — Partner visa (Temporary)

ValidityIndefinite

Processing1-2 years

View Visa Details

482 — Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)

Australia

482 — Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)

Validity4 years

Processing7-210 days

View Visa Details

Australia

785 — Temporary Protection Visa

Validity3 years

ProcessingVaries

View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be in Australia at the time of application and when the visa is decided

Must have arrived in Australia without a valid visa (unauthorised arrival)

Must engage Australia's protection obligations (refugee or complementary protection)

Must not be barred from lodging a SHEV application

Must meet health and character requirements

Must sign the Australian values statement

Must meet security requirements

KEY CRITERIA

Education

none or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Identity documents (passport, birth certificate, or citizenship evidence)

Evidence of arrival in Australia

Evidence supporting protection claims

Completed visa application forms

Health examination results

Police clearance certificates

Biometric data (if requested)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Allows you to live, work, and study in Australia temporarily for 5 years
Access to government services such as Workforce Australia, Medicare, and Centrelink
Access to short-term counselling for torture and trauma when required
Access to free English language classes (AMEP)
Potential to apply for certain other visas in Australia if you meet the SHEV pathway requirements

Worth Knowing

Visa condition 8570 (Restricted travel) prohibits travel to your home country
Travel overseas to countries other than your home country requires written approval
You must demonstrate an intention to work or study in a designated regional area
Must apply for a subsequent visa before the current one expires if protection is still required

Application Process

Check eligibility on the Department of Home Affairs website

Prepare your documents

Apply for the visa (using the appropriate application form)

Provide requested information, which may include health examinations and character checks

Wait for a decision from the Department

Application Forms

Go to application portal

790	—
1505	—
1465	—
1505	Fill online
1465	Fill online
1465 Safe Haven Enterprise visa (SHEV) application form	—
1505	Fill online
1465	Fill online
1465 Safe Haven Enterprise visa (SHEV) application form	—
1505	Fill online
1465	Fill online
1465 Safe Haven Enterprise visa (SHEV) application form	—

Verified Claims (22)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps	Check eligibility on the Department of Home Affairs website; Prepare your documents; Apply for the v…	immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Fee Breakdown	Visa application charge: 50 AUD	immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Fees	AUD 50.00	immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Forms	Form 790 (Application for a Safe Haven Enterprise visa); Form 1505 (Application for a subsequent Tem…	immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Forms · 1465 · description	Safe Haven Enterprise visa (SHEV) application form	immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Forms · 1465 · url	https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/form-listing/forms/1465.pdf	immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Forms · 1505 · url	https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/form-listing/forms/1505.pdf	immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Included Nationalities	—	immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

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Overview

Safe Haven Enterprise Visa.

This visa is ideal for unauthorised arrivals assessed as needing protection who are willing to live and work in regional Australia to pursue a pathway to permanent status.

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be in Australia at the time of application and when the visa is decided

Must have arrived in Australia without a valid visa (unauthorised arrival)

Must engage Australia's protection obligations (refugee or complementary protection)

Must not be barred from lodging a SHEV application

Must meet health and character requirements

Must sign the Australian values statement

Must meet security requirements

KEY CRITERIA

Education

none or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Identity documents (passport, birth certificate, or citizenship evidence)

Evidence of arrival in Australia

Evidence supporting protection claims

Completed visa application forms

Health examination results

Police clearance certificates

Biometric data (if requested)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Allows you to live, work, and study in Australia temporarily for 5 years
Access to government services such as Workforce Australia, Medicare, and Centrelink
Access to short-term counselling for torture and trauma when required
Access to free English language classes (AMEP)
Potential to apply for certain other visas in Australia if you meet the SHEV pathway requirements

Worth Knowing

Visa condition 8570 (Restricted travel) prohibits travel to your home country
Travel overseas to countries other than your home country requires written approval
You must demonstrate an intention to work or study in a designated regional area
Must apply for a subsequent visa before the current one expires if protection is still required