Australia grants more than 3,000 visas to Ukrainians fleeing war

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke says all Ukrainian nationals in Australia with visas due to expire on 30 June will be granted an automatic six-month extension.

Ukrainian supporters gather outside the Sydney Opera House as the sails of the building are lit up in the colours of the Ukrainian national flag in Sydney on 1 March 2022.

Ukrainian supporters gather outside the Sydney Opera House as the sails of the building are lit up in the colours of the Ukrainian national flag in Sydney on 1 March 2022. Source: AAP / AAP

The Australian government has granted more than 3,000 visas to Ukrainians since Russia's invasion of Ukraine of 24 February.

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said the move is "part of the international response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine" and the government is progressing visa applications for Ukrainians as a priority.

"The Australian Government stands ready to assist Ukrainians through a range of temporary and permanent migration pathways," he said in a statement.
He said humanitarian aid has been deployed for civilians in Ukraine and further efforts to assist are being considered.

Mr Hawke said the visas were granted after meeting with members of the Ukrainian-Australian community and a briefing with UNHCR Regional Representative Adrian Edwards.

"During this meeting I also received an update on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and discussed Australia’s ongoing efforts to resettle vulnerable Afghans," he said.

In the immediate aftermath of the Taliban takeover of Kabul, who assisted the Australian government were brought to Australia.
The federal government had said it is continuing to process visa applications with Mr Hawke confirming last month that 15,000 visa places have been allocated for Afghan nationals over the next four years. The places will be from within the existing humanitarian and family visa programs.

The Refugee Council of Australia said more than 4,000 Afghan refugees and asylum seekers on temporary visas have urged the federal government to offer them permanent protection.

In January, the Department of Home Affairs received visa applications covering more than 145,000 Afghan nationals. Last month, officials told a Senate committee only 1,000 Afghans have been granted permanent places.

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Published 11 March 2022 7:23pm
By Biwa Kwan
Source: SBS News


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