This factsheet examines visa options for people who contain been trafficked to Australia,including the people trafficking visa framework. What is the people trafficking visa framework?Not all trafficked people need a special trafficking visa. Some people continue to preserve their original visa and possibly work or study in Australia in accordance with their original visa conditions. Others may wish to seek advice about specific trafficking visas. The Australian Government has developed a trafficking visa framework, providing special visas for people who contain been trafficked. There are three stages in the trafficking visa framework.
If the Australian Federal Police (AFP) assume that a person may contain been trafficked that person may be granted a Bridging visa F (BVF) for up to 45
After the BVF expires, and the AFP may request a Criminal Justice Stay Certificate and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship may grant a person a Criminal Justice Stay Visa (CJSV). A CJSV is a temporary visa that allows a person to stay in Australia while he or she is assisting police and
If a person has helped police or prosecutors and would be in danger if they were forced to return home,the Department of Immigration and Citizenship may offer the person the chance to apply for a Witness Protection (Trafficking) (Permanent)A trafficked person who applies for this visa can include their children and spouse or de facto partner in the application.
Can trafficked people seek protection as refugees?A refugee is a person who is outside of his/her country of nationality and who has a well-founded terror of persecution as a result of his/her race, religion, or nationality,membership of a specific social group or political opinion; and for terror of this persecution, is unable or unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country or to return to it.
Claims for refugee status are sometimes brought on the basis that trafficked people terror persecution because of their membership of a specific social group. More information[rokdownload menuitem="85" downloaditem="57" direct_download="true"]Download the FACTSHEET in PDF format[/rokdownload]
Source: antislavery.org.au