Iranian refugee says temporary visa rules keep him in a 'living hell'

Australia has shut down its offshore detention facilitie…

Australia has shut down its offshore detention facilities, yet over 700 refugees who endured those centres continue to face severe consequences. Among them is an Iranian man whose life remains suspended under the country's temporary protection visa regime.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the refugee described his situation as a 'perpetual trap,' where he cannot settle permanently, reunite with family, or plan for any future. He arrived in Australia by boat nearly a decade ago and was held in detention on Manus Island before being transferred to Papua New Guinea.

Despite being found to be a genuine refugee, he was granted only a temporary visa that offers no pathway to residency. This status leaves him in legal limbo, with constant fear of being returned to Iran, where he says he faces persecution for his political activism.

Advocates for refugees argue that the closure of

Advocates for refugees argue that the closure of offshore centres has not ended the suffering, but merely shifted it. They point out that these individuals remain in a precarious position, unable to access the same rights and stability as other refugees resettled through formal channels.

The man's case highlights a broader policy gap. While the government has touted the end of offshore processing, it has not addressed the legacy of those who were processed under it. Many are still denied permanent protection, and their mental health and social integration continue to deteriorate.

He now lives in community detention in Melbourne, but his days are marked by uncertainty. 'I am alive, but I am not living,' he said. 'Every day feels like a nightmare that never ends.'

Refugee rights groups are calling for a review

Refugee rights groups are calling for a review of all temporary protection visas, urging the government to offer permanent residency to those who have already waited years and proven their refugee status. Without such a move, they warn, hundreds will remain trapped in a state of protracted suffering.