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Waiting Years for Your Protection Visa 866?
The Australian protection visa (subclass 866) allows refugees and asylum seekers to stay in Australia permanently. However, the protection visa 866 processing time is painfully long. Applicants routinely wait over 1000 days – that’s nearly 3 years! – before receiving a decision from the Department of Home Affairs.
This lengthy processing time leaves vulnerable asylum seekers in limbo, unable to build a stable life in Australia. Delays separating families and preventing employment can take a serious toll. Meanwhile, the backlog of cases continues to grow.
So why does it take so long to process protection visas Subclass 866? What can you do to help avoid years in application limbo? This guide breaks down the key issues impacting processing times and how you can potentially fast track your application.
Protection Visa 866 Processing Times – Why So Long?
The Department of Home Affairs website states that the current average processing time for a protection visa (subclass 866) is around 36 months. This is an extremely long wait compared to other Australian visa types like skilled work visas, which can be processed in a matter of weeks or months.
The main reason for that is that protection visa applications are in most cases drafted very poorly by applicants who opt to do it themselves without the help of a professional or hire migration agents who do not specialise in Protection Visas.
Frequently, claims are not adequately substantiated. There is a lack of evidence and no country submission. Request for more information by the Department are often needed to clarify inconsistencies or get more details. Translators may be required, adding more time. Decisions are rarely straightforward.
With so many hurdles, officers are unable to rush through these applications. To make things worse, most protection visas are destined for refusal…
Why your Protection Visa is Likely to be Refused if You don’t Take Quick Action…
According to statistics from the Department of Home Affairs, over 80% of protection visa applications done without the assistance of professionals are refused. There are several reasons these applications tend to get refused after years of wait:
- Applicants do not properly explain their claims of persecution or threats to their safety. The statements come across as lacking detail or credibility to the department.
- Important evidence to support the claims is not gathered or submitted as part of the application. Things like medical reports, police records, or witness statements are missing.
- Applications have factual or legal errors that undermine the applicant’s credibility and chances for approval. Simple mistakes can lead to refusal.
- Applicants do not follow proper procedures or meet evidentiary thresholds when submitting their applications. Even small procedural issues can cause problems.
- Interview preparation is inadequate. Applicants are unable to fully explain their circumstances or recount details. Memory issues raise credibility concerns.
- A thorough country submission is not included in the application.
- Applicants perform poorly in the protection visa interview
Without an experienced lawyer reviewing the application, finding errors, gathering supporting evidence, and preparing the applicant thoroughly for the protection visa interview, the Department of Home Affairs has no choice but refuse your application. Hence the high refusal rates and longer protection visa 866 processing times. But if you are really serious about your protection visa and you really want to stay in Australia, there is something you can do to salvage your protection visa application…
Strengthen Your Application – Urgently
Even if you have already applied for a protection visa on your own or with an unexperienced migration lawyer or agent, it is highly recommended that you get an experienced lawyer who specialises in protection visas to look at your application and strengthen your claims. Unlikely most agents and lawyers, Gold Migration offers this service. They can even take over the application from your current lawyer if you are not happy with their services.
Gold Migration Lawyers can review your case and find ways to add new claims and improve your application. They will look for additional evidence and witnesses that can support your story. They will also do a thorough research and compile a complete country submission. Likewise, they will help ensure your statements are consistent, detailed, and persuasive.
Gold Migration lawyers know exactly what the Department of Home Affairs looks for in credible protection visa applications. They can guide you to structure your claims in the right way to meet the legal criteria.
And here is the thing…
Gold Migration Lawyers is the only migration company in Australia that will also prepare you thoroughly for the protection visa interview, so you can confidently explain your case and avoid mistakes, contributing to get your protection visa 866 processing time faster and your application successful.
Interview Preparation is Critical
Many applicants are refused simply because they fail the protection visa interview. The interview is your key chance to establish your claims and convince the officer that you meet the criteria. Yet most applicants walk in unprepared.
At Gold Migration Lawyers, we provide specialised training to get you interview-ready. We run mock interviews to identify weaknesses and help you sharpen your responses. We also teach you strategies to handle tough questions, overcome nerves, and demonstrate credibility.
Because our lawyers have been to so many interviews, they know the kind of questions the officers will ask you.
With our expert coaching, you’ll feel empowered and confident in the real interview. We give you the best possible chance to prove your claims and be approved.
With processing times stretching out for years, it’s critical that you get the strongest application as possible.
Experience Matters to Potentially Fast Track your Protection Visa 866 Processing Time and Get an Approval
At Gold Migration Lawyers, we have a faster processing time for subclass 866 visas than most migration agencies and lawyers in Australia. This is because we specialise exclusively in onshore protection visas and have lodged thousands of successful 866 visa applications since 2009.
Our lawyers focus 100% on subclass 866 visas, so we know exactly how to prepare strong cases that get your protection visa 866 processing time faster. We don’t do every type of visa application like other agencies and lawyers – we only handle protection visas. This allows us to focus on constant improvement and efficiency with these specific applications.
By working with the experts at Gold Migration Lawyers, you can avoid long delays and get a decision on your protection visa much sooner than average. Our specialization and experience translates into faster approvals.
Contact us today for an assessment of your protection visa application. We can identify any weaknesses and work with you to strengthen your application and potentially achieve a result in a much faster timeframe…
P.S.: Fill in the form above or call Gold Migration Lawyers today on 1300 320 300.
