Visas approved for dying man's family

Visas for the family of a dying Pakistani student in Australia have been approved.

Hassan Asif, a 25-year-old Pakistani man who came to Australia on a student visa, has been told he has just weeks to live.

His mother and brother were initially refused visas to visit him.

"I'd asked the post in Islamabad to have a look at the case, to ask for additional information. That's happened and the visas have been approved," Immigration Minister Peter Dutton told Sky News on Wednesday, less than half an hour after facing the media on the matter.

"I'm hopeful that they can arrive in Australia soon and spend some time with their terminally ill son and brother.

"I think that's what most Australians would expect."

Earlier Mr Dutton said it was the "right decision" to initially refuse the visas based on the information that was provided.

"I think with further information and a subsequent application I think (it) can be dealt with fairly quickly," he told reporters in Brisbane.

He said the "decision-maker" had to weigh up whether or not somebody coming to Australia was likely to make a claim for protection or stay at a cost to the taxpayer.

Labor had called on Mr Dutton to overturn the visa decision, with immigration spokesman Richard Marles describing it as "disgraceful and heartless".