Zaki Haidari fled war-torn Afghanistan in search of a better life, but Australia’s visa system is proving that his journey to long-term security is far from over.
Growing up, Mr Haidari's family life was a steadying force, surrounded by a loving mother and siblings, and a father who was among some of the most respected doctors in the country.
But as fundamentalist ideology took a firm grip on his homeland under the Taliban and the pursuit of education became a deadly ambition, then-17-year-old Mr Haidari's world would be turned upside down.
Knowing he faced almost certain death if he refused to join the Taliban, the teen's mother made the decision to send her son abroad.
With limited English skills, next to no money and zero family to confide in, Mr Haidari boarded a people-smuggling boat.
