Pacific Engagement Visa: A New Visa Program for Pacific Islands and Other Countries
A new visa program called Pacific Engagement Visa is expected to open in 2024. The new Visa program targets countries in Pacific Islands, Timor Leste, and Papua New Guinea.
The Pacific Engagement Visa will boost permanent migration from the Pacific and Timor-Leste, expanding Australia’s diaspora, strengthening people-to-people ties, and encouraging greater cultural, business, and educational exchange.
The Pacific Engagement Visa program, developed in collaboration with Pacific and Timor-Leste communities, will allocate up to 3,000 visas annually to Pacific islanders, aiming to promote peace, prosperity, and resilience in the Pacific family.
Find the details below.
Pacific Engagement Visa Program Commencement
It is expected to commence in 2024 once all remaining legislative and administrative arrangements for the visa have been finalized and the Pacific governments and Timor-Leste have had sufficient time to consider the final arrangements.
Participating Countries and Allocations Process
The Australian Government is consulting Pacific countries and Timor-Leste about their interest in the program, which prioritizes countries with limited permanent migration options and no citizenship rights with New Zealand, France, or the US.
Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu may be eligible.
Visa allocations in Australia will be based on population size, migration opportunities, and participant perspectives, with consultation with Pacific partners to ensure shared needs and objectives.
Eligibility Criteria for the Pacific Engagement Visa Program
Primary applicants must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the Pacific Engagement Visa:
- To enter the ballot, you must be between the ages of 18 and 45,
- have a formal ongoing job offer in Australia (or your partner/spouse must have a job offer).
- fulfill English language, character, and health requirements
- hold a passport for a participating country or have been born in or have a parent who was born in an eligible country.
What is the Ballot Process and How Much Does It Cost?
The ballot is an electronic random selection process, and those who are drawn from it can apply for a Pacific Engagement Visa. Before being granted a visa, applicants must demonstrate that they meet all relevant criteria.
By randomly selecting ballot participants, the ballot aims to provide eligible individuals from Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste with fair and transparent access to the program. This includes allowing existing Pacific Australia Labor Mobility Scheme (PALM) workers in Australia to vote in the ballot.
The entry cost for the ballot is expected to be AU$ 25.
What Does It Mean to You?
This would be a great opportunity for you who came from eligible countries to reach your dream of migrating to Australia.
Many benefits are provided in this visa program, including a direct permanent visa without being required to have potential sponsorship or reach certain points. It’s best to discuss your migration plan with our registered migration agent.
