Humanitarian visa
Humanitarian visas are
- is outside their country of origin or legal residence
- is unable, or unwilling to return to their country of legal residence because of a legitimate fear of persecution regarding their race, religion, nationality, group membership, or a political belief, as defined by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
- has not been convicted of a serious crime by a fair tribunal.
Persons primarily seeking better economic opportunities may reasonably quote war, famine, or environmental disasters as their main motive for leaving their countries of legal residence, for which reason humanitarian visas may be difficult to obtain.
Australia
In Australia, humanitarian visas are listed as “Subclass 200” and have several distinct forms:[1]
- 201: In-country Special Humanitarian Program Visa
- 202: Global Special Humanitarian Program Visa (“SHP”)
- 203: Emergency Rescue Visa
- 204: Woman at Risk Visa
European Union
Belgium
In 2013,
Belgium does not have any other such humanitarian admission programmes, and there is no explicit reference to a humanitarian visa in its legislation. However, on an
France
Between 2013 and 2016, France granted more than three thousand humanitarian visas to Syrian refugees to enter the country.[3]
Switzerland
Switzerland is stricter in granting humanitarian visas, According to Swiss national law, Switzerland has the possibility to issue a humanitarian visa to individuals whose lives are imminently at risk, but the practice is very restrictive. Apart from a life-threatening situation, the State Secretariat for Migration generally requires that the individual has a link to Switzerland. In addition, the request for such a visa normally needs to be made in person at a Swiss representation.[4]
Russia
Russia may issue humanitarian visas to stateless persons or citizens from countries such as the United States who may be considered potentially hostile, and traveling for a variety of reasons including cultural or political exchanges, sports events, scientific or technical conferences and providing temporary specialist services such as humanitarian relief.[5]
Americas
Argentina (Programa Siria)
Since 2014,
Since the program was adopted, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has worked with the Argentinian Government to strengthen and consolidate it and to assess the possibilities of expanding a similar model to refugees coming from others countries of asylum.[7]
Brazil
Brazil issues humanitarian visas to nationals or stateless residents of countries experiencing serious instability, armed conflict, disaster or violations of human rights.[8] Brazil has designated Afghanistan, Haiti, Syria and Ukraine for this type of visa. Residency is granted initially for two years, after which the applicant may request permanent residency.[9][10][11][12]
United States (humanitarian parole)
In the United States, humanitarian visas are also known as
See also
- 1954 Convention Travel Documentfor stateless persons
- Certificate of identity for stateless persons or others
- Identity document
- Nansen passport the predecessor of the current Refugee travel document
- Refugee travel document issued by the country of origin
- Travel Document
References
- ^ Findlaw Australia article:What are the Types of Humanitarian Visas Available in Australia?
- ^ a b EMN Belgian National Contact Point. December 2016. "Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission in Belgium." European Migration Network and the European Union. Retrieved 2020 December 7.
- ^ "Humanitarian visas (European Union)" (PDF). europarl.europa.eu. 2018. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
- ^ Swiss Red Cross. "Humanitäre Visa – Informationen". Schweizerisches Rotes Kreuz (in German). Retrieved 2021-10-25.
- ^ Russian Visa Center, USA advice page
- Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Internacional y Culto. Retrieved 2020 December 7.
- ^ a b "Action Fiche for Strengthening international protection, reception and integration of refugees in Argentina." Commission Implementing Decision on the 2017 Annual Action programme for the Partnership Instrument, annex 21. Service for Foreign Policy Instruments, European Commission. 2017.
- ^ Decree no. 9.199, of 20 November 2017, Government of Brazil (in Portuguese).
- ^ Interministerial ruling no. 24, of 3 September 2021, Ministry of Justice of Brazil. (in Portuguese)
- ^ Interministerial ruling MJSP/MRE no. 27, of 30 December 2021, Ministry of Justice of Brazil. (in Portuguese)
- ^ Interministerial ruling no. 9, of 8 October 2019, Ministry of Justice of Brazil. (in Portuguese)
- ^ Interministerial ruling MJSP/MRE no. 28, of 3 March 2022, Ministry of Justice of Brazil. (in Portuguese)
- ^ USA Today, What Is a Humanitarian Visa?