Maryam’s Story

In 2012, Maryam and her family arrived in Australia with no protection, no support and no finances.  

Fleeing Iran, Maryam had to begin the overwhelmingly complex process of applying for protection visas. 

“Everything was very, very hard for the last few years,” she told RACS. 

Maryam reached out to RACS for legal support in 2013. Since then, RACS has assisted the family to be recognised as refugees, in order to be granted protection. The legal process was as long as it was arduous, and the family experienced their fair share of setbacks. 

Maryam’s application was rejected twice before both her and her daughter were finally recognised as refugees and were able to apply for protection visas.  

Devastatingly, Maryam’s husband was refused recognition – and therefore a visa - again and again.  

Through the RACS Judicial Review Program, Maryam’s husband made one final attempt at an appeal, and was granted a 5-year visa. 

“I got my husband. My daughters got their father. I didn’t just get a visa. I got my family.” 

In 2023, after 12 long years of waiting for permanency, Maryam was finally granted a permanent visa.

“It will be easier for us: when I get [protection] it’s a good feeling because nobody can tell me ‘you don’t have a visa’.”

“I’m very happy...RACS helped me. They didn’t care where I am from. They just want to help.”     

Although the many years of the legal process took a huge toll on the family, the significance of a permanent visa enables the family to now apply for citizenship and achieve their long-held dreams of further education and opening their own business.   
 
A permanent visa gives Maryam and her family the certainty they have been looking for since they left Iran. 

Maryam’s husband works in the community and her children already go to school, but knowing they can stay means they can finally call Australia home and be safe forever.  

RACS is so relieved that her permanent protection has been granted and grateful to the family for sharing their story.