For four years, Akbar Said Khan waited for his refugee status to be approved.
Last month, that approval was granted.
Mr Khan fled from his home in northwest Afghanistan due to the Taliban and now lives and works in Swan Hill.
On Saturday night, a celebration was held at the Swan Hill Uniting Church to commemorate Mr Khan’s new status.
Convener of the Swan Hill Uniting Church’s community issues Group Jill Pattenden said Mr Khan was very happy about his bridging visa approval.
“He has a young family back in Afghanistan but there is no way he can go home,” she said.
“This bridging visa is better than nothing because now he is recognised as an actual refugee.
“If he had stayed in Afghanistan, he would have been killed because anyone, especially men, who don’t join the Taliban are killed.”
Ms Pattenden has helped run the group since 2000.
“We try to have (a get-together) every week,” she said.
“We normally get around 45 men, most of whom are on bridging visas or temporary protection visas.
“None of them have families here in Australia and we want to be supportive of them.”
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