Australia•Oceania

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785 — Temporary Protection 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

Estimated Cost

AUD $50

Stay Duration

3 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Not specified

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

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Living in Australia

Cost of Living

2% more than United States

Avg SalaryA$73,000

Quality of Life

187/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Temporary Protection Visa.

The Temporary Protection Visa (TPV), subclass 785, is an Australian humanitarian visa for people who arrived without a valid visa and engage Australia's protection obligations. There is no application charge. Holders may live, work, and study in Australia for 3 years and access Medicare and Centrelink.

The TPV is renewable; holders may apply for a subsequent TPV or transition to a Safe Haven Enterprise visa (790). Those who arrived before 14 February 2023 may be qualifying for the permanent Resolution of Status visa (851). Travel outside Australia is restricted and family members cannot be sponsored separately.

This visa is ideal for asylum seekers already in Australia without a valid visa who need temporary legal protection while their protection claim is assessed.

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Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

3 years

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Australia

790 — Safe Haven Enterprise Visa

Validity5 years

ProcessingVaries

View Visa Details

Australia

851 — Resolution of Status visa

ValidityIndefinite

ProcessingVaries

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be in Australia at time of application

Must have arrived in Australia without a visa

Must engage Australia's protection obligations

Must meet health requirements

Must meet character requirements

Must meet security requirements

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Evidence of identity, nationality, or citizenship

Personal statements and evidence supporting the claim for protection

Completed application forms

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Provides legal status and safety for those at risk of harm in their home country
Allows the holder to live, work, and study in Australia for 3 years
Access to government services like Medicare and Centrelink
Access to free English language classes
No visa application charge

Worth Knowing

Temporary status (usually 3 years) with no automatic pathway to permanent residency
Requires re-application or assessment for further visas upon expiry
Travel overseas is restricted and requires written approval
Strict qualification criteria regarding how the applicant entered Australia
Processing times can be lengthy and involve intensive background checks