Page 23 - IB August 2024

Opinion

AUSTRALIA’S PACIFIC ENGAGEMENT

VISA: WHAT’S NEXT?

By Natasha Turia and Akka Rimon So, what’s next in the PEV process? The Australian
Department of Home Affairs, Immigration and Citizenship
On August 2, ballots for the Pacific Engagement Visa describes four stages. First, the ballot opens; second, register
(PEV)closed for eight participating countries, with the in the ballot; third, ballot selection; and fourth, apply for the
exception of the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau visa. Explanatory notes for each stage were published with
who each received a two-week extension. Whether this will useful links.
go unchallenged as unfair by other participating countries, The Pacific Engagement Visa Support Service visited
remains to be seen. participating countries, providing information sessions
The absence of Samoa, Marshall Islands and Kiribati throughout the ballot period, but confusion remained on how
in this inaugural round also means that 300 visas remain to register for the ballot, when to provide a formal job offer,
unaccounted for from the initial 3000 PEV country quotas that what funds are required for PEV process completion, how long
opened on June 3. the visa process would take, and whether people could re-
Samoa was concerned about its high migration outflows, apply next year if they were unsuccessful in this round.
unproportional
economic Solomon Islands, Figure 2: (see
returns, and 150 next page) is
acute shortage Timor Leste, 300 adapted from
of a skilled the published
in-country PEV Process
workforce. information
Kiribati needed Tonga, 150 to capture
more time to Papua New Guinea, frequently asked
1350
decide on its Tuvalu, 100 questions. The
participation. PEV is now at,
Marshall Vanuatu, 150 Stage 3: Random
Islands like the ballot selection.
Federated States Federates States of This is where
of Micronesia Micronesia, 50 lucky ballots are
and Republic of drawn from each
Palau, who have Fiji, 300 participating
a Compact of country and
Free Association Nauru, 100 candidates
with the United Unallocated, 300 Palau, 50 notified.
States of Figure 1: PEV country quota including unallocated 300 visas After
America, did Figure 1: PEV country quota including unallocated 300 visas. notification
not participate of selection,
Hyped as Australia’s much sought- after permanent residency visa for citizens from the
for reasons unknown. It will be interesting to observe how candidates proceed to Stage 4: Applying for the visa.
Pacific and Timor Leste, country quota contention, low interest and decision for exclusion by
Australia carefully manages this reallocation (if any) given the This is where all requirements from health and character
some countries from the inaugural PEV round, pose significant risks to the objectives of the
enormous interest from the Pacific. assessments, English language proficiency and formal job
PEV in increasing its Pacific diaspora. For the Pacific, fair representation through respectful
Hyped as Australia’s much sought-after permanent offer is required. Included dependents must satisfy the visa
consultations remains important if Australia is to achieve full Pacific buy-in for the PEV.
residency visa for citizens from the Pacific and Timor Leste, requirements and either the principal applicant or spouse
For now, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon
country quota contention, low interest and the decision can show proof of a formal job to qualify towards satisfying
Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Timor Leste brace themselves in anticipation for an
by some countries not to participate in the inaugural PEV the 192 subclass visa requirements. There is no formal advice
announcement of the ballot outcomes.
round, pose significant to its objectives of its Pacific diaspora. yet on how long the selection of ballots will take before
So, what’s next in the PEV process? The Australian Department of Home Affairs,
For the Pacific, fair representation through respectful successful applicants are notified. As a reference point,
Immigration and Citizenship describes four stages. First, the ballot opens; second, register in
consultations remains important if Australia is to achieve full another similar visa lottery, New Zealand’s 2024 Pacific Access
the ballot, third, ballot selection, and fourth, apply for the visa. Explanatory notes for each
Pacific buy-in for the PEV. Category (PAC) scheme, opened in May, closed in June and
stage were published with useful links.
For now, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Nauru, notifications issued on August 2. It would be safe to predict a
The Pacific Engagement Visa Support Service visited participating countries providing
Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, 1-2 months or slightly longer turnaround given there are more
information sessions throughout the ballot period, but confusion remained on how to
Vanuatu, and Timor Leste brace themselves in anticipation for countries in the PEV than the PAC.
register for the ballot, when to provide a formal job offer, what funds are required for PEV
an announcement of the ballot outcomes. Beside uncertainty over ballot outcome dates, questions
process completion, how long the visa process would take, and whether people could re-
apply next year if they were unsuccessful in this round.
Islands Business, August 2024 23
Figure 2 below is adapted from the published PEV Process information to capture frequently
asked questions. The PEV is now at, Stage 3: Random ballot selection. This is where lucky
ballots are drawn from each participating country and candidates notified.

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