Humanitarian (Subclass 866) — Protection (onshore)Verified 2026-04-19Australia Protection Visa (Subclass 866) — Informational
Subclass 866 allows people already in Australia to apply for permanent protection if they meet refugee or complementary protection criteria under Australian and international law. Complex legal category — always requires specialist legal or MARA representation.
Protection visa applications require specialist Australian immigration law expertise. SureshotVisa does not process this category. Consult an Australian migration lawyer or MARA-registered agent specialising in protection law.
Processing
Variable — often 1–3+ years
Stay Duration
Permanent
Starting Fee
AUD 45
Apply At
11 VFS centres
Who Can Apply
- People in Australia claiming protection under refugee definition (1951 Convention)
- People in Australia claiming complementary protection
Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protection visa (866) | AUD 45 |
Strict legal threshold — specialist representation strongly recommended.
Documents Required
Overview — for informational reference only
- !Valid Indian passport
All Australian visas require a valid passport for the duration of stay.
- !Complete document checklist via the Document Checklist Tool
Visit immi.homeaffairs.gov.au — the tool generates a visa-specific, country-specific checklist.
- !Sponsorship / nomination / relationship evidence (as applicable)
Exact evidence varies by category — always confirm with a MARA agent.
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Check eligibility on the Department website
Visit immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and use the Visa Finder Tool to confirm this visa matches your circumstances.
Engage a MARA-registered Australian Migration Agent
Long-term migration categories require specialist advice. Search the public register at mara.gov.au.
Lodge online via ImmiAccount
All Australian visa applications are lodged online at online.immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Some older paper applications can now be imported into ImmiAccount.
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
📋 How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
ImmiAccount — Online Application Portal
Australia's official online visa application portal. ALL Australian visas for Indian applicants must be lodged here — no paper forms, no VFS lodgement. Create your ImmiAccount, select the visa subclass, pay online, and upload documents.
Department of Home Affairs — Official Website
Authoritative source for all Australian visa information. Includes Visa Finder tool, Visa Pricing Estimator, Visa Processing Time Guide, and health requirement details.
Visa Finder Tool
If you're unsure which visa is right for you — answer a few questions and the tool recommends matching visa subclasses.
VEVO — Visa Entitlement Verification Online
After visa grant, use VEVO to check your visa conditions, stay period, and entry rights. Australia grants digital visas only — no sticker in passport.
VFS Application Centres
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't SureshotVisa process this visa?+
This page is for information only
SureshotVisa does not process this visa category. For other Australia visa types we can help with — Tourist, Visitor, Business, Student, or Family Reunification — see the related visa types below.
Other Australia Visa Types
Australia Tourist Visa (Subclass 600 — Tourist Stream)
Australian visitor visa for Indian citizens travelling to Australia for tourism, sightseeing, or visiting friends and relatives. Typically 3, 6 or 12 months stay.
Australia Business Visa (Subclass 600 — Business Visitor Stream)
Australian business visitor visa for Indian professionals attending meetings, conferences, negotiations, or exploratory business visits. Paid employment is NOT permitted.
Australia Sponsored Family Visa (Subclass 600 — Sponsored Family Stream)
Australian visitor visa for Indian citizens visiting close relatives who are Australian citizens/PR holders and who sponsor the application. An Assurance of Support may be required.
Australia Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601) — Informational
The ETA (subclass 601) is Australia's quick online visa for tourism/business visits, but it is NOT available to Indian passport holders. Indian citizens must apply for the Visitor visa (subclass 600) instead.
Australia eVisitor (Subclass 651) — Informational
eVisitor (subclass 651) is a free online visa for short visits to Australia, but it is exclusively for European passport holders. Indian citizens are NOT eligible — apply for subclass 600 instead.
Australia Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) — Informational
Informational guide. The Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) allows young Indians aged 18–30 to work and travel in Australia for up to 12 months, but India has a ballot-based quota. SureshotVisa does not process work visas.
Australia Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) — Informational
Informational guide. The Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) is NOT available to Indian passport holders. Indian citizens should refer to the Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) via the annual ballot.
Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500)
The Student visa (subclass 500) allows Indian students to live in Australia and undertake a full-time eligible course of study — school, VET, undergraduate, postgraduate, or research — for up to 6 years.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Australia website and Embassy of Australia. Last verified 2026-04-19. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.