Ukraine visa support - 14/7/2022
The Department is progressing visa applications from Ukrainian nationals as a priority, particularly for those with a connection to Australia.
The Government has extended the temporary humanitarian stay offer until 11:59pm on 31 July 2022, to Ukrainians who have arrived in Australia. This visa will be valid for three years and allow people to work, study and access Medicare. Support will also be provided by Australia’s experienced Humanitarian Settlement Program service providers. You can accept this offer by completing the web form online.
Persons who are unable to accept the offer by 11:59pm on 31 July 2022 can explore the range of alternative visa options that continue to be available to Ukrainians, including permanent visas.
For complete information visit the Australian Government-Department of Home Affairs Website :
Ukrainian nationals accessing WA hospitals (10/05/2022)
I wanted to inform you that following Office of Multicultural Interests’ (OMI) engagement with the Department of Health regarding the accessibility for Ukrainian nationals to receive free treatment in WA public hospitals, OMI has been informed that the necessary action has been taken to enable this provision in all the hospitals. All the relevant public health services within WA Health have been notified that hospital treatment should be free for any Ukrainian nationals requiring medical attention and they are encouraged to attend a public hospital if required.
Additionally, if bills/charges are issued by any public hospital for treatment due to staff unawareness of this policy, WA Health has shared they will resolve this once notified and ensure no payments are required by the Ukrainian nationals.
We hope this helps bring some security and peace of mind for Ukrainian nationals seeking hospital treatment. If the new arrivals need further support, please connect them with the Australian Red Cross as they are the Service Provider responsible to assist Ukrainians in Western Australia. The Red Cross contact details for queries and referrals is email -wamsphsp@redcross.org.au, phone - 9225 8888.
More VISA INFO at AFUO SITE here:
https://www.ozeukes.com/visa-information/
UKRAINE VISA SUPPORT (DHA Website)
https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-and-support/ukraine-visa-support
OFFICIAL (issued March 28, 2022)
Temporary Humanitarian Concern (subclass 786 visa), and some information regarding travel documents for Ukrainian minor children.
Department of Home Affairs – visa responses to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
The Department of Home Affairs is progressing visa applications from Ukrainian nationals as a priority, particularly for those with a connection to Australian connections.
· Applications processed generally in 1-2 days with a focus being on facilitating urgent travel.
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Anyone making a new application for a visa to travel to Australia should consider options relevant to their circumstances. See Explore visa options.
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Close family members can apply on behalf of their family members in Ukraine.
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For people who want professional help please only use a migration agent registered with the Office of Migration Agents Registration Authority or a legal practitioner.
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The Department has published a Ukraine visa support page on the Home Affairs website: Ukraine visa support to receive inquiries directly from clients and assist the Ukrainian community in Australia to consider visa options for family members.
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This includes information for Ukrainian temporary visa holders in Australia.
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Temporary Humanitarian Concern visas
· The Government will make Temporary Humanitarian Concern (subclass 786) visas available to all Ukrainian temporary visa holders currently in Australia and those who may arrive in the coming months on a temporary visa
· This visa will be valid for three years and allow people to work, study and access Medicare, alongside support facilitated by Australia’s experienced Humanitarian Settlement Program providers. This can entail on-arrival assistance and short-term support, and will help Ukrainian temporary humanitarian visa holders to find long-term accommodation, and gain access to Medicare and other relevant social support services.
· The Department will provide further advice in the coming days to support the transition of affected Ukrainians onto a 786 visa.
· The Commonwealth Coordinator-General for Migrant Services and Department will continue working closely with the Ukrainian-Australian community, and settlement service providers, across the country to ensure those arriving from Ukraine are provided support throughout their stay in Australia.
Travel documents
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Ukrainian nationals who do not hold a valid passport should first seek advice from the Ukraine State Migration Service or their nearest Ukraine Embassy or Consulate in a neighbouring country.
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If that is not possible in a particular location, an application can be submitted with available identity documentation and a Departmental officer will be in contact to discuss options.
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The Government of Ukraine has advised that citizens of Ukraine without a valid international travel document can:
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have an expired passport extended by up to 5 years or have minors (under 16) inscribed in a parent/guardian passport by an Embassy or Consulate of Ukraine or the Ukraine State Migration Service, or, where a passport is not available,
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obtain a certified Certificate of Identity from an Embassy or Consulate of Ukraine in a neighbouring country.
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As an urgent and temporary measure, Australia will recognise the validity of the above documentation for lodging visa applications and for travel to Australia, where the Department is satisfied that the criterion for the grant of the visa have been met and identity has been confirmed.
Children
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Australia recognises that the crisis in Ukraine means some children may be travelling across international borders with only one parent.
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Australia is committed to ensuring the welfare of children and requires permission from both parents for a minor to travel to Australia.
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If a visa applicant is unable to provide this consent, they should proceed to lodgement with available documentation and a Departmental officer will contact the visa applicant to discuss the application.
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Media Release
OFFICIAL
From a round table meeting with the Department of Home Affairs (22 Mar 2022):
The Department has published a Ukraine visa support page on the Home Affairs website: Ukraine visa support (homeaffairs.gov.au) to receive inquiries directly from clients and assist the Ukrainian community in Australia to consider visa options for family members. Close family members can apply for a visa on behalf of their family members in Ukraine.
The attached fact sheet has been translated into Ukrainian and Russian provides further links to assist you and your family members.
You can apply for visas online using ImmiAccount. You can create an individual ImmiAccount if you are an individual applicant, a family member acting on behalf of an applicant or a friend helping with the application process. Further Information about ImmiAccount can be found here: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/applying-online-or-on-paper/online
The Prime Minister has announced that automatic visa extensions for six months will be provided for Ukrainian nationals in Australia who have visas expiring up to 30 June 2022. Visa holders do not need to do anything to receive this extension. The Department is contacting visa holders in Australia who have visas expiring in the coming weeks to make arrangements if they wish to remain in Australia.
The Minister stated that the Health Check for Visa 600 has been fully waived.
The Department will collaborate with the local communities regarding accommodation and schooling, including representation at community meetings.
The Department will send through a list of Humanitarian Settlement program providers that local communities can collaborate with.
English language Tuition will be provided to adult (for free)
Childcare will be provided
Education School aged children can enrol for schooling. Existing structure permits for intensive English classes
The Department will collaborate with the local communities regarding accommodation and schooling, including having their representatives attend community meetings;
We hope you find this information of assistance.
Home Affairs Ukraine response fact sheet 25 February 2022 (002) ENG
Home Affairs Ukraine response fact sheet 25 February 2022 (002) – Ukrainian
Home Affairs Ukraine response fact sheet 25 February 2022 (002) – Russian
Enhanced support for Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s war on Ukraine (Sunday 20 March 2022)
The Australian Government will make available a temporary humanitarian (subclass 786) visa to all Ukrainian temporary visa holders currently in Australia and those who arrive in the coming months.
This visa will allow people to work and access Medicare and appropriate associated support services and will be valid for three years. School-aged children will also be able to continue their education.
The Government will work closely with the Ukrainian-Australian community to ensure appropriate permanent visa options are made available to this cohort at an appropriate time.
The focus to date has been on facilitating travel for those seeking to leave Ukraine or neighbouring countries urgently due to the crisis. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Morrison Government has been progressing visa applications from Ukrainian nationals as a priority, particularly those with Australian connections, across temporary and permanent visa categories. Around 5000 mostly temporary visas have been granted to Ukrainians since 23 February 2022 and around 750 Ukrainians in this cohort have now arrived.
The Commonwealth Coordinator-General for Migrant Services and Department of Home Affairs officials will continue working closely with the Ukrainian-Australian community and settlement service providers across the country to ensure those arriving from Ukraine are provided support throughout their stay in Australia.
This support, facilitated by Australia’s experienced Humanitarian Settlement program providers, will help Ukrainian temporary humanitarian visa holders to find long-term accommodation, gain access to Medicare, enrol children in school and other relevant social support services.
This builds on the grant of $450,000 provided to the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations and their state-based counterparts. This will support the community groups in their on-going work to support those most recently arrived in Australia.
The Morrison Government will continue to engage with the Ukrainian-Australian community as the situation in Ukraine, and Australia’s response, evolve.
© 2022 by Ukrainian Association of WA Inc.