The Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) is a pre-class visa application which aims to deepen connections between Australia and the Pacific region. Under this new application process, a random, unbiased ballot will occur and 3000 visa recipients will be chosen each year (including partners and dependent children).
To be eligible to apply for the ballot, one must be:
· Aged between 18 to 45
· Hold a valid passport for a participating country
· Have been born in, or have a parent who was born in, an eligible country
· Pay a $25 registration fee
The eligible Pacific countries include Fiji, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia, Soloman Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
This is a Subclass 192 Visa which provides a permanent resident visa program and those selected in the ballot will be eligible to apply for permanent residency.
The Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) differs to the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme (PALM). The PALM visa is a temporary migration visa for workers to enter Australia on a short-term work visa to develop skills and send income home. Whereas the PEV requires the primary or secondary applicant to receive a job offer in Australia to be granted the PEV (the job offer is not required to enter the ballot) and assistance to find a job offer will be provided if an applicant is successful.
The cost of mobilization and getting to Australia is expected to be paid for by the applicant which includes costs such as a passport and health checks. However, free pre-departure support is available to help connect the applicants with support regarding their visa and employment.
Once arriving in Australia, there will be welfare and settlement support including the Adult Migrant English program (AMEP) and the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support program (SETS). Visa holders will also have access to Medicare and health care, as well as public schools and Commonwealth Supported University places.
Applications for this new visa open on the 3rd of June 2024, with a $25 registration fee. For more information, call us on +61 3 94163463 or email: email@osullivanandruffilli.com.au
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