Update from Home Affairs as at 1 March 2022:
source: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-and-support/ukraine-visa-support
The Department is supporting Australia’s response to the escalating crisis in Ukraine and is progressing outstanding visa applications from Ukrainian nationals as a priority, across all visa categories [editor comment: check visa class 600 which is currently processed within 24 hours].
The Department has finalised hundreds of on-hand applications over recent days.
The Prime Minister has also announced that automatic visa extensions for 6 months will be given to Ukrainian nationals in Australia who have a visa expiring before 30 June 2022.
Visa holders do not need to do anything to receive this extension. The Department is contacting visa holders in Australia who have visas expiring soon to make arrangements if they wish to remain in Australia.
Enquiries from Ukrainian temporary visa holders in Australia, and those waiting on a visa outcome or looking for visa options, can be directed to:
Global Service Centre (In Australia)
Phone: 131 881
Enquiry form for Ukraine conflict visa arrangement
If you hold a valid visa for Australia and you have left Ukraine, see information about Coming to Australia | COVID-19 and the border.
Update received from Jordan Tew on Mon, Feb 28, 2022 at 1:41 PM:
Jordan Tew, partner at Hannan Tew Lawyers, Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law, provided an update regarding Australian Immigration matters:
From an Australian immigration stand point – this is what we know so far:
- Ukrainians with visas that are due to expire between now and 30 June will be given an automatic extension for 6 months;
- Visa applications that were lodged by Ukrainians are being given priority processing. Importantly, this appears to include Visitor visas and we’ve received contact from the Department saying that they’re also going to be fast tracking Parent visas and to expect correspondence soon;
- there are no announced Ukraine-specific humanitarian options yet (though the government have said their considering it).
Australian Citizens/PR who have family members in Ukraine or a neighbouring country may be able to apply for Visitor visas for their family members. Ordinarily there is a “genuine temporary entrant” criteria, which may cause applications to be refused because of war, but the Department appear to have taken a more lenient approach in recognition of the current issues. It still represents a risk, and they may only be this lenient towards “immediate” family members (significant others, parents, children) but it may be worth a try for those who are desperate to get their family to Australia ASAP.
In relation to point 3, there are the “standard” humanitarian visas which may be options but nothing yet specifically for Ukrainians. For those who are:
– outside Australia – the offshore humanitarian visas (see here) are very limited, ordinarily take an extremely long time to process, and historically have been granted by people referred from the UNHCR. The government have flagged that they may have further places to Ukrainians under this, and/or fast-track Ukrainian applications – but we’re waiting to see what happens;
– in Australia – they may be able to apply for asylum via the Protection Subclass 866 visa. My recommendation would probably be holding off for the time being until there is further indication whether the government are going to do something specific to help, because applying for protection can have ramifications down the line.
Unfortunately a lot of this is likely to take time to progress and very much a “wait and see”. I’m aware that other neighbouring European countries are offering asylum to Ukrainians and that may be the most appropriate pathway until there are more concrete arrangements from Australia.
Update received from Jordan Tew on Mon, May 12, 2022 at 7:39 AM:
I’m sure you’ve all already heard about the temporary humanitarian visas being implemented (see here), so this is just some additional information if it’s helpful at all:
- Visitor visas – are still being granted to Ukrainians, including to those who have left Ukraine and are in another country. The Department is being (somewhat) helpful to those who can’t get travel documents – I’d recommend reading their guide for those that don’t have passports;
- Family visas -there is a legislative instrument that came into effect on 5 March which states that Family visas for Ukrainians will be prioritised and fast tracked – which includes: partner visas, prospective marriage visas, parent visas (and other family visas). The highest priority is to be given to family visas by Ukrainians.
- Humanitarian visas – the process and procedure for this are outlined on the Government’s website here, it’s relatively self-explanatory. Some things you may wish to note:
- the visa can be granted for up to 3 years. Once the visa is granted for this duration, it can’t be reduced (the Department would effectively have to cancel a visa – which they most likely wouldn’t do). This is a common query for those who are wondering what happens if the war ends before these 3 years;
- the visa is to stay in Australia for up to 3 years. This means that there is no travel so if you leave – the visa ends. It potentially means no overseas trips or holidays;
- once you accept this visa, you cannot apply for any other visa in Australia other than another “temporary safe haven visa” unless you either leave Australia (i.e. apply from offshore) OR the Minister allows you to do so. This is relevant for those who may have other visa options (most likely permanent skilled visa options, or those who are willing to apply for other family visas so that they can travel for example);
- this visa won’t be granted to Russian citizens. We’re aware of Ukrainian/Russian couples – where the Ukrainian national was offered this, and the Russian national was not and has to seek alternate options;
- the Government has said that they will “ensure appropriate permanent visa options are made available…at an appropriate time“. While we should be cautiously optimistic, there are no guarantees on this and what it means. If the war ends soon, for example, it’s not 100% guaranteed that permanent visas would still be on the table – though we’d of course hope that it would.
Overall, for most people, the humanitarian visas are a good option particularly if you don’t have any other options available – and you can have access to various social service benefits. For those with family visas lodged and pending that confer permanent residency, you may wish to get that expedited ASAP to secure this.