Question 1

Which countries can apply?

Accepted Answer

The following countries will be eligible to enter the first PEV ballot in 2024:

🇫🇲 Federated States of Micronesia
🇫🇯 Fiji
🇳🇷 Nauru
🇵🇼 Palau
🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea
🇸🇧 Solomon Islands
🇹🇱 Timor Leste
🇹🇴 Tonga
🇹🇻 Tuvalu
🇻🇺 Vanuatu (to be confirmed)

Eligible countries whose citizens could be eligible for future PEV ballots include 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.

Pacific countries whose citizens don’t have access permanent migration rights to New Zealand, France or the US are being prioritised.

Eligible PEV countries are based on negotiations between Pacific Island Governments and the Australian Government.

Question 2

Do I need a valid visa if I’m in Australia?

Accepted Answer

If you are in Australia and you enter the ballot for the Pacific Engagement Visa and you are drawn from the ballot to apply, you will need to hold a valid visa or a Bridging A, B or C to be eligible for the visa.

If you are in Australia holding a Bridging D or E or if you are in Australia without a visa you won’t be able to apply.

Question 3

How do I get a job offer?

Accepted Answer

Either the visa applicant or their spouse or de facto partner who is a secondary applicant will need to have an offer of ongoing employment in Australia to be granted the Pacific Engagement Visa.

Click here for information about how to find work in Australia.

The Australian government are working on a service that will match applicants with job offers. Details of this aren’t available yet.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel, join our PEV Facebook Group and join our PEV WhatsApp group through the link in the description for PEV updates as they are available.

Question 4

How much does it cost to apply for the PEV?

Accepted Answer

The government charge to enter the PEV ballot will be about $25AUD.
The Home Affairs PEV visa application fee for the main applicant will be $325AUD.
Family members included in the application will be $80AUD each (e.g. spouse or de facto partner or children).

Question 5

Will there be any other costs to apply?

Accepted Answer

Other costs could include police check application fees, health test and biometric fees.

Migration Agents or lawyers will also charge fees to assist with preparing and lodging applications.

Question 6

Can I be outside Australia when I apply?

Accepted Answer

You can be in Australia or outside of Australia when you apply for the PEV.

Question 7

What are the English language requirements?

Accepted Answer

The English requirements have not been released yet.

We will provide more information when it is available.

Question 8

When is the ballot registration opening?

Accepted Answer

The first PEV ballot is opening on 3 June 2024.

Question 9

Will the PEV allow the applicant to apply for any job, or does the main applicant have to apply for a specific job, such as the skills in demand?

Accepted Answer

The visa applicant can apply for any job. There are no restrictions on the jobs you can hold or where you can work.

Question 10

How long can I live in Australia and where can I live in I have the PEV?

Accepted Answer

The Pacific Engagement Visa is a Permanent Residency Visa.

It allows the visa holder to live permanently in Australia and then apply for Citizenship once you meet Citizenship eligibility requirements.

There are no restrictions on where you can live in Australia or what job you can hold.

Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV)