<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/uk" rel="" target="_blank" title="British"><span>British</span></a><span> and Irish visa holders are attempting to misuse Australia's </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/visas" rel="" target="_blank" title="visa"><span>visa</span></a><span> system by applying for asylum under false pretences to extend their stay.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Department of Home Affairs has warned against temporary visitors applying for a $50 protection visa - which is reserved for </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/asylum-seekers" rel="" target="_blank" title="asylum seekers"><span>asylum seekers</span></a><span> escaping persecution in their home country - in a bid to remain in Australia and continue working.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The department said it has noticed an uptick in temporary visa holders from the United Kingdom and Ireland being advised on social media to apply for a protection visa just to stay longer Down Under.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/alleged-bondi-gunman-naveed-akram-family-prison-visit-cancelled/223efe61-d78f-4407-8c9f-adefde2b8d8c" rel="" target="_blank" title="Family's prison visit to accused Bondi gunman cancelled"><strong><span>Family's prison visit to accused Bondi gunman cancelled</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Authorities warned this is "seriously bad advice".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"A Protection (subclass 866) visa is for asylum seekers – people at real risk of significant harm or persecution if they return to their home country," a Home Affairs spokesperson said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's not for people who just want to stay longer in Australia.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/protection-visa-australia-home-affairs-warns-british-and-irish-visa-holders-against-abusing-system/ae3679c0-7a25-4518-bfce-d149802766d7" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The Australian government is committed to maintaining a migration system that is robust, effective and in the national interest."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Travellers who apply for this visa who do not meet the criteria can face their existing visa being cancelled or a long-term ban from Australia.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It can also cause problems for obtaining visas from other countries and can make it harder for you and your family to come to Australia in the future.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Applicants who provide false or misleading information may also face large fines or jail time.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Don't risk everything you love about your time in Australia on bad advice from mates or social media," the spokesperson added.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Know the rules and protect your ability to come back again in the future."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/trump-tower-gold-coast-craig-hill-petition-organiser-explains-why-locals-oppose-development/0ded570b-ea23-42e8-b1dc-12f4d033f24f" rel="" target="_blank" title="'Do their worst': Craig is fighting Trump's proposed Gold Coast hotel"><strong><span>'Do their worst': Craig is fighting Trump's proposed Gold Coast hotel</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The government said it has made some "big changes" to stop people misusing protection visas, leading to faster processing times.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Most new applications now have a decision made almost eight times faster, compared to recent years," the Department of Home Affairs notes on its website.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This means a quicker grant of protection visas to those in need, and a swift refusal for those who are not eligible."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>More than 85 per cent of protection visa applications are denied.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Applications from some nationalities have refusal rates close to 100 per cent, a spokesperson added.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In 2024, a total of 39,580 people migrated to Australia from the UK and its territories.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Genuine protection visa applicants are urged to seek out proper legal advice before applying.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There are scam agents operating in communities who are providing unlawful immigration advice and charging migrants a lot of money for their services," a Home Affairs spokesperson added.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Scam agents have been misleading temporary visa holders to apply for a PV using false and misleading claims or have been applying for a PV on applicants' behalf without them knowing what they have applied for."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/uk-eta-passport-scheme-how-dual-citizens-have-been-impacted/884e44d6-d134-48f5-9281-b46e2c1818ca" target="_blank" title="Panicked expats and 'ten pound poms': The people impacted by passport rule"><strong><span>Panicked expats and 'ten pound poms': The people impacted by passport rule</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Who is eligible for a protection visa in Australia?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>According to the Department of Home Affairs, protection visas are for people and their family members who, if they return home, "face a real risk of significant harm or persecution" on the grounds of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a social group.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>You must have arrived in Australia on a valid visa before you can apply for a protection visa.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>If you can legally enter and safely live in another country which is not your home country, your visa will be denied.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Applicants seeking asylum in Australia also cannot travel to the country they are seeking protection from without permission from the government.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Refugee Council of Australia said in the five years to June 2024, the main nationalities seeking asylum in Australia by plane include those from China, Malaysia, India, Pakistan and Vietnam.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 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