Women at Risk Visa (Subclass 204): Eligibility, Benefits, and Application Process

Are you subjected to persistent persecution in your home country? You can apply for a Women at Risk Visa (Subclass 204). This visa is issued to protect women who are facing threats, violence, or persecution in their home country. Moreover, a Women at Risk Visa enables you to live in Australia permanently and even bring your dependent family members. This blog covers everything you need about the Women at Risk Visa- its eligibility, requirements, benefits, and more. This is a permanent visa and is given only to women.

What is a Women at Risk Visa (Subclass 204)?

This visa is for individuals outside Australia, living outside their home country, who do not have any male relatives for protection and who have suffered victimization, harassment, or serious abuse based on their gender. To be considered for this visa the candidates must be referred by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to the Australian government. The subclass 204 (Women at Risk) visa is a permanent visa.

Applicants for the Women at Risk Visa need to show that they are subjected to substantial discrimination or persecution that has resulted in a violation of their human rights. By persecution, the Australian Department refers to the following:

1. Forced to relocate to a remote area or forced into exile 
2. Slavery, cruel treatment, or even torture 
3. Periodic harassment, arrest, or detention 
4. Forced re-education, or forced indoctrination

By substantial discrimination, they refer to

1. arbitrary interference with your privacy, home, family
2. Deprivation of earning a livelihood or being paid unreasonably low wages 
3. Forced to live in substandard housing
4. Forced to give up social or civil activities 
5. Not being allowed to educate yourself 
6. Being pressured or constantly watched to become an informer
7. Being denied a passport 
8. Not getting your citizenship rights 

Eligibility Criteria for Subclass 204 Visa

Women candidates will be able to get this visa if they satisfy the given eligibility criteria:

1. Live outside Australia at the time of application 
2. You must be a woman facing either severe discrimination or persecution in your home country
3. You must have no male relative as protection
4. UNHR must have referred your case, or your close relative in Australia must have suggested it. You can be referred by another humanitarian organisation as well.
5. Additionally, you must meet the character and health requirements of the Australian government.

You can go through this eligibility checklist to know if you are eligible for this visa:

Eligibility Criteria

1. Live outside Australia at the time of application 
2. You must be a woman facing either severe discrimination or persecution in your home country
3. You must have no male relative as protection
4. UNHR must have referred your case, or your close relative in Australia must have suggested it. You can be referred by another humanitarian organisation as well.
5. Additionally, you must meet the character and health requirements of the Australian government.

Requirements to Get a Women at Risk Visa

Check below the list of requirements to apply for a women at risk visa:

1. You must submit identity documents like a birth certificate or passport 
2. Referral from UNHCR or a humanitarian organisation that is recongised 
3. Submit proof of persecution or risk. For example, news articles, official reports, or witness statements.
4. A medical examination report to prove that you do not have communicable medical issues.
5. Proof of character, like the police clearance certificate.

Cost of Women at Risk Visa

There are no costs associated with this type of visa unless they are applying under the Community pilot. The Australian government pays:

• The travel costs to Australia
• Any other costs before they leave for Australia, including cultural orientation and medical examination
• Additionally, the government assists in settlement after arrival

Particulars	Cost
Women at Risk Visa application cost	Free

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Checklist for Subclass 204 Australia

Candidates who require a subclass 204 visa must maintain a checklist to avoid rejection or refusal of visa:

1. Your passport and birth certificate
2. Proof of marital status (If applicable)
3. UNHCR referral or a  referral from another reputable humanitarian organisation
4. Reports or news articles to prove you have been persecuted 
5. Your written statements
6. Medical report of the checkup conducted as per the Australian regulations
7. Police clearance certificate
8. Family documents (if applicable), for example, the birth certificates of your children
9. Completed visa application form

You can download the checklist for Women at Risk Visa

Processing Time of Subclass 204 Visa

The quantity of applications received for visa 204 is quite high so it takes a lot of time to review every visa application. The processing time of this visa depends on several factors such as: However, in general, the processing time of this visa depends on your circumstances. For example,

1. Number of applications in the humanitarian visa queue
2. It depends on the case complexity 
3. If you have the necessary documents
4. You have cleared background checks and medical assessments 

On average, it takes around 12 to 24 months to process your visa application.

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Benefits of Women at Risk Visa (Subclass 204)

The Women at Risk visa comes with a lot of benefits. Some of these benefits are as follows:

1. You must be a permanent resident in Australia 
2. You can access the healthcare facilities in Australia through Medicare
3. You are permitted to study in Australia
4. Can work in Australia 
5. Access social security benefits in Australia 
6. Besides this, you can reunite with your family members 
7. This is a pathway to citizenship in Australia. However, you will have to fulfill additional requirements for the same

To learn more about the Women at Risk Visa watch this video below:

Can Australia Give a Visa after Refusal?

Yes. When the Australian government rejects a visa application, they provide a reason for it. You can check the reason for the visa refusal, rectify the mistake, and reapply for the visa. This means that the Australian government can issue you a visa even after it was rejected. The next time you apply for a visa, make a strong application and correct your previous mistake. Also, provide sufficient evidence to prove that your case is true.

FAQs

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