Australia's Permanent Resolution for TPV and SHEV Holders
Visa Subclass 851 – Resolution of Status Visa Australia
From Temporary Uncertainty to Permanent Security — The Pathway for TPV and SHEV Holders
For years, tens of thousands of people in Australia lived under a form of legal uncertainty that most Australians never had to think about. They had been found to genuinely need protection. Their refugee status or complementary protection claims had been assessed and accepted. But instead of receiving permanent residency, they were placed on Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs) or Safe Haven Enterprise Visas (SHEVs) — visas that had to be renewed, that limited their ability to plan for the future, that kept them in a state of ongoing uncertainty about whether they would be allowed to stay.
In 2023, the Australian Government fulfilled a long-standing commitment by creating the Visa Subclass 851 Resolution of Status Visa. This visa does exactly what its name says — it resolves the status of people who have been living in that uncertainty, and it does so permanently.
The Visa Subclass 851 converts eligible TPV and SHEV holders into permanent residents. No further protection assessment is required. No points test. No employer. No income threshold. If you held a Temporary Protection Visa (Subclass 785) or a Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (Subclass 790) and you arrived in Australia before 14 February 2023, you may already be eligible — and in many cases, your existing application may have been automatically converted to a Resolution of Status application without you needing to do anything at all.
At Migration Republic, our MARA-registered migration agents understand what this visa means to the people who need it. The uncertainty is real, the stakes are high, and getting the application right matters. Whether you need to apply, need advice on your eligibility, or want to understand what the visa means for your future — we are here.
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Visa Overview
What is the Visa Subclass 851?
The Visa Subclass 851 Resolution of Status Visa is a permanent Australian visa. It was introduced by the Australian Government as part of its commitment to remove temporary protection arrangements for people who had already been found to engage Australia's protection obligations but had only been granted temporary status.
The Resolution of Status Visa provides permanent residence to applicants who held or applied for a Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV) or a Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) before 14 February 2023. It is an onshore visa — you must be in Australia at both the time of application and the time a decision is made.
What makes the Visa Subclass 851 different from other protection visas — and genuinely significant for those who qualify — is that RoS applicants do not need to undergo further protection assessments. The assessment done at the time that the SHEV or TPV was granted will be sufficient. This means the government is not reopening the question of whether you need protection. That question was already answered when your TPV or SHEV was granted. The Visa Subclass 851 simply makes that protection permanent.
People who submitted a TPV or SHEV application prior to 14 February 2023 that has not been finally determined, including any subsequent TPV or SHEV application, will have their existing application automatically converted to a Resolution of Status visa application. This means many eligible people are already in the system and do not need to lodge a fresh application — they are simply waiting for their converted application to be processed.
A Visa Subclass 851 is a refugee visa. It provides visa holders with permanent residence in Australia, access to government settlement services, the welfare system, family reunion through the offshore humanitarian program, Medicare, and the right to return if the holder leaves Australia. There is no visa application fee for the Visa Subclass 851.
Key Features of the Visa Subclass 851
- Permanent visa — live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely
- Only for TPV and SHEV holders who arrived in Australia before 14 February 2023
- No further protection assessment required
- Must be in Australia at time of application and decision
- No visa application charge
- Five-year travel facility from date of grant
- Full access to Medicare, Centrelink, and the Humanitarian Settlement Program
- Right to sponsor eligible family members for permanent residence
- Pathway to Australian citizenship
- Applying also counts as an application for a Bridging Visa if your TPV or SHEV has expired
- Lodged online via ImmiAccount
Eligibility Criteria
Who Can Apply for the Visa Subclass 851?
Eligibility for the Visa Subclass 851 is specific but clear. It is a targeted visa — designed for a defined group of people — and understanding whether you fall within that group is straightforward once you know what to look for.
You Must Hold or Have Held a TPV or SHEV
To be eligible, you must currently hold or have previously held a Temporary Protection Visa (TPV — Subclass 785) or the Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV — Subclass 790), which must not have been refused or cancelled. Individuals granted TPV Subclasses 447, 451, or 785, and certain Temporary Humanitarian Visas Subclasses 785 or 790 before 14 February 2023 may also be eligible.
You Must Have Arrived Before 14 February 2023
You must have first arrived in Australia before 14 February 2023. This is a hard cutoff. People who arrived after this date are not eligible for the Visa Subclass 851, regardless of whether they later obtained a TPV or SHEV.
Your TPV or SHEV Must Not Have Been Refused or Cancelled
If your most recent TPV or SHEV application was refused or cancelled, this prohibits you from applying for a Resolution of Status visa. Professional migration advice is essential before any further step is taken — there may still be options available, including a request for Ministerial Intervention.
You Must Be in Australia at Both Lodgement and Decision
You must be in Australia at the time of your application and when a decision is made. This is a strict requirement. If you travel outside Australia during the application period, this can affect the outcome.
You Must Not Be Barred from Applying
You cannot apply for the Visa Subclass 851 if you are barred from doing so. Individuals who entered Australia as unauthorised maritime arrivals are not eligible under Section 46A of the Migration Act 1958. The Visa Subclass 851 is not available to people who arrived by boat as unauthorised maritime arrivals.
Automatic Conversion — You May Not Need to Apply at All
People who have submitted a TPV or SHEV application prior to 14 February 2023 that has not been finally determined, including any subsequent TPV or SHEV application, will have their existing application automatically converted to a Resolution of Status visa application. If this applies to you, the Department is already processing your case as a Visa Subclass 851. You do not need to lodge again — but it is worth confirming the status of your application through ImmiAccount or with a migration agent.
What if My TPV or SHEV Has Already Expired?
Applying for a Resolution of Status visa is also deemed to be an application for a Bridging Visa if you are currently an unlawful non-citizen because your TPV or SHEV expired before 14 February 2023. This means that even if your temporary visa has lapsed, lodging a Visa Subclass 851 application restores your lawful status through the Bridging Visa mechanism — provided you meet all other eligibility requirements.
Family Members
Children and family members can be added to the same application form, yet each person included must also meet the visa requirements. Members of the same family unit as the above visa holders may also apply for the Visa Subclass 851. For Protection, Refugee, and Humanitarian visas, family members are defined as a spouse or partner, dependent children, and other dependants who are 18 years or older and wholly or substantially dependent on the main visa holder financially, psychologically, or physically, or incapacitated for work.
Visa Advantages
Key Benefits of the Visa Subclass 851
Permanent Residency — Finally
Permanent residency will enable TPV and SHEV holders to gain secure employment, grow businesses, study more easily, sponsor eligible family members to Australia, and eventually become an Australian citizen. For people who spent years unable to plan beyond the next renewal date, permanent residency changes everything about how life in Australia can be lived.
No Further Protection Assessment
RoS applicants do not need to undergo further protection assessments. The assessment done at the time that the SHEV or TPV was granted will be sufficient. This removes one of the most stressful aspects of any protection visa application — having to re-establish and re-prove the same claims about danger and persecution all over again.
Full Work Rights, Unrestricted
Visa Subclass 851 holders can work in any occupation anywhere in Australia. No employer condition, no skills test, no occupation list, no regional requirement. Work rights are unconditional and permanent.
Pathway to Australian Citizenship
Since the Visa Subclass 851 is a permanent visa, holders can apply for Australian citizenship after meeting the standard residency requirements. Time spent in Australia on a TPV or SHEV counts toward the residency period for citizenship — meaning many Visa Subclass 851 holders will be eligible for citizenship relatively quickly after grant.
Right to Sponsor Family Members
The Visa Subclass 851 facilitates family reunion through the offshore humanitarian program. Holders can sponsor eligible family members for permanent residence — bringing together families that may have been separated for years by the circumstances that originally led to Australia.
Access to Government Services
A Visa Subclass 851 holder has access to government settlement services, the welfare system, Medicare, and the right to return if the holder leaves Australia. Centrelink income support, Medicare healthcare coverage, and the Humanitarian Settlement Program are all available from the moment the visa is granted.
Free English Language Classes
With the Visa Subclass 851, you can attend free English language classes if eligible. The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) provides up to 510 hours of free English language tuition for eligible humanitarian entrants — a practical tool for employment, study, and community participation.
Five-Year Travel Facility
The Visa Subclass 851 has a valid five-year travel facility for the visa holder. You can travel overseas freely up to five years from the date the RoS is granted. After that, a Resident Return Visa is needed to re-enter Australia if the travel facility has expired. Importantly, holders should seek advice before travelling to the country from which they originally sought protection, as this can raise complications.
No Application Fee
There is no visa cost for the Visa Subclass 851. A single free application covers the primary applicant and all family members included in the same application.
Bridging Visa on Lodgement
Applying for a Resolution of Status visa is deemed to be an application for a Bridging Visa if you are currently an unlawful non-citizen because your TPV or SHEV expired before 14 February 2023. This ensures no gap in lawful status between lodgement and decision.
Historical Context
Understanding the History Behind the Visa Subclass 851
To fully appreciate what the Visa Subclass 851 represents, it helps to understand the context from which it came.
The Temporary Protection System and Its Impact
Australia introduced Temporary Protection Visas in 1999 for people who arrived in Australia without prior authorisation and were found to be refugees. Unlike full permanent protection, TPVs were time-limited — typically three years — and had to be renewed. During a renewal period, the holder's protection claim was reassessed. This created a cycle of uncertainty that made it difficult for genuine refugees to plan their lives, pursue education or stable employment, or bring family members to Australia.
The Safe Haven Enterprise Visa was introduced in 2014 as a variant of the TPV system. SHEV holders could access the family stream of the migration program if they worked or studied in a designated regional area for at least three and a half years out of a five-year visa period. In practice, the SHEV requirements were difficult to meet, and most SHEV holders remained on a temporary visa treadmill.
The 2023 Reform — The Resolution of Status Visa
The Australian Government fulfilled its election commitment to make Temporary Protection Visa and Safe Haven Enterprise Visa holders eligible to apply for a permanent Resolution of Status visa. Providing permanent residence to TPV and SHEV holders empowers them to move forward with their lives and increases their ability to contribute to Australian society.
From 14 February 2023, the TPV and SHEV were effectively wound down for the cohort of people who had arrived before that date. From 14 February 2023, TPV and SHEV holders who held their TPV or SHEV before this date are eligible to apply for a Resolution of Status visa once the relevant application bar has been lifted.
This reform affected a significant number of people — men, women, and children who had been in Australia for years, sometimes decades, building lives and contributing to communities, while carrying the weight of temporary status. The Visa Subclass 851 is the legal mechanism that ends that waiting.
Document Checklist
What Documents Do You Need for the Visa Subclass 851?
One of the practical advantages of the Visa Subclass 851 is that it does not require a new protection assessment. The protection decision from your original TPV or SHEV application stands. This significantly reduces the documentation burden compared to the Visa Subclass 866.
Online Application via ImmiAccount
You can apply online using an ImmiAccount. This is the fastest and recommended method of applying for your Visa Subclass 851. Applying via paper may only be permitted in the event of a technical or system issue.
Key Documents Required
- Valid passport or ImmiCard — your primary identity document. If you do not have a passport, the ImmiCard issued with your TPV or SHEV may be used.
- Birth certificate — if available.
- Evidence of your current or previous TPV or SHEV — visa grant letters, ImmiAccount records, or correspondence from the Department of Home Affairs confirming the visa history.
- Identity documents for any family members included — passports, birth certificates, and evidence of relationship.
- Character documentation — including an Australian Federal Police (AFP) clearance certificate. Clearances from other countries where you have lived for 12 months or more since the age of 16 may also be required.
- Health examination results — the Department may require a health examination depending on your circumstances.
- Biometrics — digital photograph and fingerprints may be required.
What You Do Not Need to Resubmit
Information you already submitted to the Department for your previous TPV or SHEV application need not be resubmitted. This is an important practical point. You do not need to recreate your entire original application. The Department retains that information and will use it in assessing your Visa Subclass 851. What you need to provide are the identity, health, and character documents relevant to your current circumstances.
Application Costs
Visa Subclass 851 Cost
The Visa Subclass 851 carries no application charge at any stage of the process. A single free application covers the primary applicant and all family members included in the same application. However, there are some associated costs applicants should be aware of.
| Cost Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Visa Application Charge | Nil — no cost for Visa Subclass 851 |
| Health Examination | May be required — costs vary by circumstances |
| AFP Police Clearance | Required — standard AFP clearance fee applies |
| Overseas Police Clearances | Required where applicable — costs vary by country |
| Biometrics | May be required — no charge in most cases |
| Migration Republic Professional Fee | Contact Us |
Note: While the government visa application charge is nil for the Visa Subclass 851, costs related to AFP police clearances, health examinations, and professional migration assistance still apply. A single application covers all family members included in the same form at no additional government charge.
How We Help
Our Visa Process
Eligibility Confirmation and Application Status Check
The first step is confirming your eligibility and checking whether your application has already been automatically converted. We access ImmiAccount with you to verify whether a Visa Subclass 851 application is already in the system under your name, what stage it is at, and whether any action is needed. Many eligible people do not realise their application was converted automatically — and equally, some people who believe they are in the system are not. We make sure you know exactly where you stand before anything else happens.
Family Unit Assessment
We assess whether any family members should be included in the application — spouse or partner, dependent children, or other dependants who meet the family unit definition. Getting the family composition right at the time of lodgement is important. Including family members in the same application is the most efficient pathway for them to also receive permanent residency.
Document Preparation and Health and Character Guidance
We prepare a personalised checklist of required documents based on your individual circumstances. We advise on AFP clearances, health examinations if required, and any other documentation the Department may request. Information you already submitted to the Department for your previous TPV or SHEV application need not be resubmitted — so we help you understand exactly what is new and what is already on file.
Online Lodgement via ImmiAccount
We manage the complete online lodgement through ImmiAccount, ensuring the application is correctly submitted, all required documents are uploaded, and the application is formally valid before submission. For applicants whose TPV or SHEV has already expired, we ensure the Bridging Visa component is properly engaged to restore lawful status immediately upon lodgement.
Post-Lodgement Monitoring and Grant Support
After lodgement, we monitor the application and respond to any requests for additional information from the Department. We keep you informed throughout the process. We also provide guidance on the post-grant landscape — the five-year travel facility, the pathway to citizenship, and how to approach family reunion through the offshore Humanitarian Program once the visa is granted.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Migration Republic
Why Choose Migration Republic?
The Visa Subclass 851 is, in many ways, the simplest of Australia's protection visas to understand — but it still requires careful handling. Confirming eligibility, checking application conversion status, ensuring family members are correctly included, managing the Bridging Visa component for expired TPV and SHEV holders, and making sure documents are complete and correct — all of this matters, even for a visa where the protection decision has already been made.
For the people applying for the Visa Subclass 851, the stakes could not be higher. This is the visa that ends years of uncertainty. It is the visa that makes planning a real future in Australia possible. It is the visa that opens the door to citizenship, to family reunion, to a life that is not contingent on the next renewal.
Our MARA-registered migration agents understand the history and the significance of this visa. We know the technical requirements — including the eligibility cutoffs, the application bar conditions, the Section 46A restriction, and the Bridging Visa engagement for expired visa holders. We also understand what it means to be on the other end of this application, and we approach every Visa Subclass 851 matter with the care and respect it deserves.
Whether you are applying for the first time, confirming the status of an automatically converted application, including family members, or managing an expired TPV or SHEV situation — we are here to make sure the process is handled correctly and completely.
Transparent Process
Transparent process with regular updates at every stage of your application so you always know exactly where things stand.
Experienced Handling
Experienced handling of TPV, SHEV, and Resolution of Status matters — we understand the full history and technical complexity of these applications.
End-to-End Support
Dedicated support from eligibility assessment to visa grant and beyond — including post-grant guidance on citizenship, travel, and family reunion.
Ready to Apply for the Visa Subclass 851 Resolution of Status Visa?
If you hold or have held a Temporary Protection Visa or a Safe Haven Enterprise Visa, and you arrived in Australia before 14 February 2023, the Visa Subclass 851 may be your pathway to the permanent residency you have been waiting for. No new protection assessment. No fee. No points test. Just a clear eligibility check, a correctly prepared application, and the confirmation that Australia's commitment to you is now permanent. The wait has been long for many people in this situation. The process ahead does not need to be difficult — but it does need to be done correctly. At Migration Republic, our MARA-registered migration agents are here to confirm your eligibility, check your application status, prepare and lodge your Visa Subclass 851 application, and support you through every step of what is, for many of our clients, one of the most important moments of their lives in Australia.
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