Emergency Rescue (Subclass 203) Visa: What Is It For?

Emergency rescue (Subclass 203) or Emergency rescue Class XB Subclass 203 visa: Who Can Apply

Apply for an emergency rescue (Subclass 203) visa if you are registered as a refugee with the UNHCR (click here to learn more) because of your:

1. religion; or
2. nationality; or
3. political opinion; or
4. membership of a particular social group; or
5. race.

The emergency rescue (Subclass 203) visa can only be applied when you are not in Australia.

You may not be able to apply for this visa if any of the below apply to you:

1. between 13 August 2012 and 31 May 2013, you entered Australia at an excised offshore place and became an unlawful non-citizen; or
2. on or after 13 August 2012, you were taken to a place outside Australia (under section 245F(9) of the Migration Act 1958); or
3. on or after 1 June 2013, you came to Australia by boat or as an Illegal Maritime Arrival (IMA).

When you apply for this visa, you are also taken to have applied for all the visas in Class XB, that is, Subclass 200, Subclass 201, Subclass 202 and Subclass 204. However, the Australian government prioritise emergency rescue (Subclass 203) over the other refugee and humanitarian visas.

This is a permanent visa and is valid for 5 years from the date of grant (click here to learn more about RRV 155 visa). If you do not have a passport to travel to Australia for resettlement, you will be issued with an Australian Migration Status (AMS) ImmiCard to allow you to enter Australia. Once you are in Australia, you may apply for a Convention travel document or titre de voyage or a certificate of identity. Click here to learn more about Class XB visas.

Australian migration law is complex and difficult to understand, contact our immigration lawyer for a consultation (fee applies) to help you decide if you are eligible for an offshore refugee visa (click here to find out how an immigration lawyer or registered migration agent can help you). You may also refer to our FAQs for answers regarding visa application or visa cancellation by clicking here. Click here to find other visas.

This article is not intended to be or taken as migration legal advice. The author of this article disclaims any liability for any action or omission on the information provided or not provided in this article. You should always consult an immigration lawyer or a registered migration agent to form an informed opinion on your immigration matter.