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866 — Protection Visa (Subclass 866)

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

12-24 months

Application Fee

50 AUD

Stay Duration

Indefinite

Not renewable

Dependents allowed

PR pathway

No job offer needed

Remote work OK

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

An onshore permanent visa for people who engage Australia's protection obligations and arrived in Australia with a valid visa.

The Protection Visa (Subclass 866) is a permanent onshore visa for people in Australia on a valid visa who face persecution as refugees or face a real risk of significant harm if returned home. It grants the right to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely.

The application fee is AUD 50. Processing averages around 145 days for new applications, though complex cases take 12–24 months or more. Dependents can be included. Holders receive full work and study rights, Medicare access, and a 5-year travel facility. A citizenship pathway opens after 4 years of lawful residence.

This visa is ideal for asylum seekers already in Australia on a valid visa who can demonstrate refugee status or risk of serious harm if returned to their home country.

Stay & Extensions

Status type

Permanent / indefinite

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be in Australia

Must have arrived on a valid visa

Must engage Australia's protection obligations

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Identity documents

Evidence of protection claims

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Permanent residency
Full work and study rights
Access to social security

Worth Knowing

High burden of proof for protection claims
Long and complex processing times
Arrived without a valid visa
Failure to meet protection criteria

Application Process

Submit application onshore

Undergo assessment of protection claims

Character and health checks

Visa grant

Application Forms

Go to application portal

ImmiAccount	Fill online
866 Application for a Protection visa	—
866	Fill online
866C Application for a Protection visa (Part C)	Fill online
866 Application for a Protection visa	—
866	Fill online
866 Application for a Protection visa	—
866	Fill online

Verified Claims (24)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps

Submit application onshore; Undergo assessment of protection claims; Character and health checks; Vi…

immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

Dependent Visa

Can be included in the application

immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

Fee Breakdown

Application Fee: 50 AUD

immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

Fees

AUD 50

immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

Forms

ImmiAccount

immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

Forms · 866C · description

Application for a Protection visa (Part C)

immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

Forms · 866C · url

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/form-listing/forms/866c.pdf

immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

Forms · 866 · description

Application for a Protection visa

immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

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

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Overview

An onshore permanent visa for people who engage Australia's protection obligations and arrived in Australia with a valid visa.

This visa is ideal for asylum seekers already in Australia on a valid visa who can demonstrate refugee status or risk of serious harm if returned to their home country.