The Pacific Engagement Visa, initiated by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, aims to increase permanent migration from the Pacific and Timor-Leste. This visa program seeks to grow the diaspora in Australia, enhance people-to-people links, and foster cultural, business, and educational exchanges. Up to 3,000 visas annually will be allocated through a ballot process across participating countries, allowing successful applicants to apply for permanent residency in Australia.
The visa requirements include being aged 18 to 45, securing a formal ongoing job offer in Australia, meeting English language, character, and health checks, and holding a passport from a participating country. The program is designed in consultation with partner governments and communities to ensure it meets shared needs and contributes to a peaceful and prosperous Pacific region.
The ballot process will commence in 2024, and further details regarding eligibility and application requirements will be provided closer to the program’s commencement. Additionally, the visa holders will have access to settlement support services and employment assistance upon their arrival in Australia.
The Pacific Engagement Visa differs from the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme as it offers permanent residency and is not solely a labor mobility program. PALM scheme workers in Australia will be eligible to register for the Pacific Engagement Visa ballot when applications open.
Source from Pacific Engagement Visa | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (dfat.gov.au)
