Pacific Engagement visa (subclass 192) · Work and skilled visas · Stream of Pacific Engagement visa (subclass 192) - Treaty stream (Tuvalu) Pacific Engagement visa (subclass 192) - Treaty stream
Treaty stream (Tuvalu)
A permanent visa allocated by ballot to citizens of Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste who have a job offer in Australia.
- Stay
Permanently in Australia.
- Government charge
From AUD205.00
- Visa type
Permanent
Notice from the Department
If we select you in the ballot, you have 60 days to submit your visa application. If you miss the deadline we will not accept your application. The Australian Government is providing free support for Treaty stream (Tuvalu) participants. Refer to the Falepili Mobility Pathway (Treaty stream visa) page.
Official information from the Department of Home Affairs
The material below reproduces English-language information from the Department of Home Affairs about this visa. Requirements may have changed since it was added to this website. Use the source link to check the latest information; I can explain relevant provisions in Vietnamese or English during a consultation.
Overview
Stay
Permanently in Australia.
Government charge
From AUD205.00
Processing times
An indication of the processing times for this visa is not yet available as it is a new visa program. A guide on the estimated processing times for this visa will be available using the visa processing time guide when data becomes available at a later date. For general information on processing times see Global visa processing times.
With this visa, you can...
- live, work and study anywhere in Australia indefinitely
- sponsor eligible relatives to come to Australia
- apply for Australian citizenship if eligible.
You must
- be selected in the PEV Treaty Stream (Tuvalu) ballot to apply for visa
- apply online on or before the date specified in your 'Notification of Selection' letter
- be a citizen of Tuvalu
- be aged 18 years or over
Help with your visa
If you are getting help with your visa, before you pay someone, read information on Who can help with your visa application.
The Australian Government is providing a free service to connect you with employers in Australia and to help you to prepare for life in Australia. You can find more information at The Pacific Engagement visa Support Service.
About this visa
With this visa you can
- stay in Australia permanently
- live, work and study anywhere in Australia
- travel to and from Australia indefinitely
- sponsor eligible relatives to come to Australia
- access Australia's public health care scheme, Medicare
- if eligible, apply for Australian citizenship.
Newly arrived residents may have to wait before they can access certain Australian Government payments and benefits. Learn more about newly arrived resident's waiting periods.
Support for Treaty stream visa holders
The Australian Government is providing free support for Falepili Mobility Pathway participants, both in Tuvalu and Australia.
Falepili Support Service (Tuvalu) ‘The Hub’
The Hub is in Funafuti and provides Treaty stream visa applicants and holders with pre-departure and mobilisation support. This includes information sessions on life in Australia and employment support services for those visa holders looking to find a job in Australia before they move.
Treaty stream visa applicants and holders are strongly encouraged to contact the Hub as soon as possible to access pre-departure support and information.
The Hub is open Monday to Friday, 11am–4pm.
Drop in to the Hub or email them at falepilipathway@pevsupport.com.au
For more information see: Welcome | Falepili Mobility Pathway (Treaty stream visa).
How long you can stay
This is a permanent visa. It lets you stay in Australia indefinitely.
For citizenship purposes, your permanent residence starts on either the day:
- we grant the visa, if you are in Australia or
- you enter Australia on this visa, if you are outside Australia.
Travel
You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want from the date we grant you this visa.
You might also want to consider Australian citizenship. If you become an Australian citizen, you don’t need a visa to enter Australia. Once you are an Australian citizen you can apply for an Australian passport. You can travel to and from Australia on your Australian passport. For more information, see Australian Citizenship.
Include family
You must include all members of the family unit who wish to come to Australia with you in your application. You will not be able to add them to your application after you have submitted your application.
Where you have included a non-biological child as a member of the family unit due to adoption, you need to provide further supporting evidence.
Generally, adoptions are either formal or customary. In a formal adoption, the child who is adopted becomes the legal child of the adopting parents and a legal member of the adopting family.
Customary adoptions are generally not recognised in Australia. Australia recognises adoptions which formally establish parental rights and responsibilities. These adoptions must comply with specific legal requirements to be recognised under Australian migration law.
For visa purposes, members of the family unit do not include your
- parents
- partners parents
- aunts
- uncles
- cousins.
Family members who apply for this visa must meet our health and character requirements.
They must have also complied with the conditions of any previous visas held. Family members not coming to Australia might also need to meet health and character requirements.
Newborn child
Find out what to do if your child is born after you apply.
Cost
From AUD205.00, for the main applicant.
From AUD50.00, for each family member who applies for the visa with you.
Your application will be invalid if you do not pay the correct visa application charge.
To work out what your visa will cost, you can use the Visa Pricing Estimator. The estimator does not take into account other costs, such as health checks, police certificates and biometrics.
Apply from
You can be inside or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when you apply for the visa and when we decide on your application.
Processing times
An indication of the processing times for this visa is not yet available as it is a new visa program. A guide on the estimated processing times for this visa will be available using the visa processing time guide when data becomes available at a later date. For general information on processing times see Global visa processing times.
We assess applications on a case-by-case basis. Actual processing times can vary due to individual circumstances including:
- whether you have submitted a complete visa application, including all supporting documents (see Check twice, submit once)
- how quickly you to respond to requests for more information
- how long it takes to perform required checks on supporting information provided
- how long it takes to receive further information from external agencies, particularly about health, character, and national security requirements.
Visa label
We will electronically link your visa to your passport. You will not get a label in your passport.
Eligibility
Be selected in the Pacific Engagement visa Treaty stream (Tuvalu) ballot
You can only apply for this visa if you have been randomly selected in the Pacific Engagement visa (subclass 192) - Treaty stream (Tuvalu) ballot. If we have invited you to apply, you will have received a Notification of Selection letter.
The letter provides a link to the visa application and details on how to apply for this visa.
You must apply for this visa on or before the date specified in your Notification of Selection letter. We cannot accept your application if you try to apply after this date.
You can monitor the status of your ballot registration through your ImmiAccount.
We will publish the status of each ballot on the PEV Treaty stream Country Ballot Status table.
After the ballot selection process is shown as expired, no further registrations will be selected.
Be a citizen of Tuvalu
You must be a citizen of and hold a valid passport from Tuvalu.
You must apply for this visa as a citizen of Tuvalu.
Must not have obtained citizenship due to an investment
You must not have obtained your citizenship of Tuvalu due to an investment to Tuvalu.
Be born, or have a parent born in, or a grandparent born in Tuvalu
You must have been born in, or have a parent or grandparent that was born in Tuvalu.
Must not be a citizen of New Zealand
You must not be a citizen of New Zealand.
New Zealand citizens who have been living in Australia for four years or more might be eligible to apply directly for Australian citizenship.
For more information, see Pathways for New Zealand citizens.
Be this age
You must be aged at least 18 years on the date the Treaty stream ballot registration period opens for Tuvalu.
To check when the registration opens for Tuvalu PEV Treaty stream Country Ballot Status.
Have this visa
You may be in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when you apply for this visa.
If you are applying in Australia, you must hold a:
- substantive visa or
- Bridging visa A
- Bridging visa B
- Bridging visa C.
Have complied with previous visa conditions
You and any included family members, must have substantially complied with any conditions that apply or applied to a held Australian substantive visa or bridging visa. If you were unable to substantially comply, there must have been compassionate and compelling circumstances.
Not have had a visa cancelled or previous application refused
We will consider the immigration history of you, and any included family members, when we decide on your application. This means you might not be eligible for this visa if you have had a visa cancelled or refused.
In some situations, you might still be able to apply for a permanent visa if you have had a visa cancelled or an application refused. For more information, see Limitations on applications in Australia.
If applying for a visa from outside Australia, see Can I go to Australia.
If you want immigration assistance, see Who can help with your visa application.
Meet the health requirement
You, and any family members who apply for the visa with you, must meet our health requirement.
You should not organise your health examinations until after you are successful in the ballot and invited to apply for the visa.
If you currently live in Tuvalu, contact the Falepili Mobility Pathway Hub (the Hub) to organise your health examination.
You can contact the Hub by emailing falepilipathway@pevsupport.com.au.
You can also make an appointment in person at the Hub. It is located at Kiatoa's place (opposite Ioasa's house) on the Vaiaku side.
Opening hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Monday to Friday.
The results of health examinations are generally valid for 12 months.
Meet the character requirement
You and family members aged 16 years and over who apply for the visa with you must meet our character requirement.
Family members not included in the visa application might also need to meet the character requirement.
Have paid back your debt to the Australian Government
If you or any family members owe the Australian Government money, you or they must pay it back or have arranged to pay it back. This includes family members who did not apply for the visa with you.
Sign the Australian values statement
You, and any family members aged 18 years or older in your visa application, must have:
- read, or had explained to you, the Life in Australia booklet
- signed an Australian Values Statement. This confirms you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws.
Best interests of the child
We will not grant this visa if it is not in the best interests of an applicant under 18.
How to Apply
1Before you apply
Read the comic to learn more about the Treaty stream visa
You can only apply for this visa if you:
- registered in the PEV Treaty stream (Tuvalu) ballot
- have been randomly selected as a participant to apply for this visa
- use the link to the online visa application form that we sent in your Notification of Selection letter or apply through ImmiAccount.
You must lodge a valid visa application on or before the expiry date specified in your Notification of Selection letter.
Check your passport is up to date
You (the primary applicant) must have a valid passport or travel document to submit an application for this visa.
It is preferred that your family members also have a valid passport or travel document at the time of application however, if they do not have one this information can be provided to the department at a later date.
Get help with your application
Only some people can help you with your application. If you appoint someone to give you immigration assistance they must be either:
You can appoint anyone to receive documents on your behalf relating to your visa matter. We call this person your authorised recipient
2Gather your documents
Before you apply for your visa, gather and prepare your documents.
You will need to provide identity, character and other documents. You will also need to provide documents for your partner and any dependent children included in your application.
The Treaty stream document checklist may assist you to gather your documents for your visa application.
Provide accurate information
You must provide accurate information. See what happens if you can't prove your identity or do not provide true information.
Identity documents
You must provide the pages of your current passport showing your:
- photo
- personal details and
- passport issue and expiry dates.
You must also provide:
- your birth certificate
- proof of change of name, if relevant.
Documents that prove a change of name include:
- a marriage or divorce certificate
- change of name documents from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, or the relevant overseas authority
- documents that show other names you have been known by.
Documents that prove that you or your parent or grandparent was born in Tuvalu include:
- personal details page of your passport
- personal details page of your parent’s passport
- personal details page of your grandparent’s passport
- your parent’s birth certificate
- your grandparent’s birth certificate.
For more information, go to Eligibility.
Relationship documents
You must provide proof if you are or have been married, widowed, divorced or permanently separated. Documents that prove this include:
- marriage certificates
- divorce documents
- death certificates
- separation documents
- statutory declarations.
If your partner or dependent children are not included in this application, tell us why. For example, they may already hold Australian citizenship or be a permanent resident.
Character documents
You must provide an Australian police certificate if you have spent a total of 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years since you turned 16.
We only accept complete disclosure National Police Certificates issued by the Australian Federal Police.
We do not accept standard disclosure certificates or national police certificates issued by Australian state or territory police.
For immigration purposes, Australian police certificates are valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
You must also provide an overseas police certificate from every country where you spent a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years since you turned 16.
If you have served in the armed forces of any country, you must provide military service records or discharge papers.
Learn more about police certificates.
Complete and provide the following forms:
Partner documents
We need to see evidence of your partner's identity and relationship with you.
You must provide:
- identity documents and photos
- character documents
- your marriage certificate, if applicable
- documents about other relationships, if applicable.
For de facto relationships, provide either:
- evidence that your relationship is registered by an Australian state or territory
- documents to prove you have been in a de facto relationship with your partner for at least 12 months before you apply.
For both married and de facto applicants, you must provide evidence that you are in a genuine and continuing relationship. Evidence can include but is not limited to:
- joint bank account statements
- billing accounts in both names
- joint leases or mortgages
- documents that show your partner has lived at the same address as you.
Parental responsibility documents
You must get consent for any applicant under 18 years of age to migrate to Australia from anyone who both:
- has a legal right to decide where the child lives
- is not coming to Australia with the child.
They must complete either:
- Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years
- a statutory declaration which gives their consent for the child to migrate to Australia on this visa.
Alternatively, you can show us either:
- an Australian court order that allows your child to migrate to Australia
- that the laws of your home country allow them to migrate.
You must include:
- an identity document that shows the signature and photo of the person who completed the form or declaration, such as a passport or drivers licence
- adoption papers or other court documents, if applicable.
Documents for dependants under 18
For every dependant 18 years old or younger who is applying with you, you must provide:
- copies of birth certificates or the family book showing the names of both parents of all your dependent children
- copies of the adoption paper, if applicable
- parental responsibility documents, if applicable.
Where a non-biological child is included as a member of the family unit due to adoption, further supporting evidence is required. Adoption can be either formal or customary.
In a formal adoption, the child who is adopted becomes the legal child of the adopting parents and a legal member of the adopting family.
Customary adoptions are generally not recognised in Australia. Australia recognises adoptions which formally establish parental rights and responsibilities. These adoptions must comply with specific legal requirements to be recognised under Australian migration law.
Documents for dependants over 18
To include your child who is over 18 in your visa application, they must hold an eligible visa that was granted on the basis that they were a member of your family unit.
You must provide:
- identity documents
- proof of your relationship with the dependant such as a birth certificate or adoption papers
- completed Details of child or other dependent family member aged 18 years Form 47A
- character documents
- marriage certificate, if applicable
- documents about other relationships, if applicable.
Tell us you are getting help
To nominate someone to:
- receive your correspondence, use Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient
- provide immigration assistance, use Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person.
Upload your written notification or your forms to ImmiAccount.
Prepare your documents
Translate
You must have all non-English documents translated into English.
You must provide both the original and translated documents in your application.
Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.
Translators outside Australia do not have to be accredited but on each translation, they must include their:
- full name
- address and telephone number
- qualifications and experience in the language they are translating.
These details must be in English.
Scan or photograph
Scan or photograph all documents (English and non-English) in colour.
The scans and photos must be clear.
You do not need to have any documents certified.
If a document is more than one page, save it all as one file.
Attach your documents to your application
Attach a document only once, even if you are using it to show more than one thing.
Learn more about attaching documents.
3Apply for the visa
You can only apply for this visa if you have been randomly selected in the PEV Treaty stream (Tuvalu) ballot. If we have invited you to apply, you will have received a Notification of Selection letter.
The letter provides a link to the visa application and details on how to apply for this visa.
You must apply for this visa on or before the date specified in your Notification of Selection letter. We cannot accept your application if you try to apply after this date.
You can be inside or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when you apply for this visa.
Apply for this visa online
- Access the online visa application form through the link provided in your Notification of Selection letter or online through the link generated in your ImmiAccount.
- Complete the online application form.
- Attach your documents.
- Pay the visa application charge. We will not process your application until you pay the visa application charge.
- Note your transaction reference number (TRN).
4After you apply
We will let you know when we have received your application.
If you are granted a bridging visa, you will receive notification of your visa grant.
We may send you a letter if we need further information for your visa application.
You will have 28 days to respond to this letter and give us the information or documents requested. If you need more time to give us this information you can ask for an extension. Tell us how much time you need and attach a letter with what steps you have taken to obtain the requested information to immiAccount.
You may attach evidence to your ImmiAccount to show what steps you have taken. This may include evidence of:
- applying for a police check
- your appointment to complete health examinations
- steps you have taken to obtain other information we may have requested.
Organise health examinations
You might not need to have all the health examinations again if you had any in the last 12 months. We will let you know if you need to complete health examinations.
You can check if we need more information from you in ImmiAccount.
Find out more about the examinations you might need and how to arrange them.
Status updates
We do not give updates on applications under assessment. We will let you know if you need to provide any further information.
You can check if we need more information from you in ImmiAccount.
Travel after you apply
You don't have to tell us if you want to travel outside Australia while we process your application.
If you leave Australia, make sure you have a valid visa to return. To see if you can return on your current visa, check VEVO.
Learn about visa expiry.
Biometrics
We might ask you for biometrics. We will tell you if you need to provide biometrics.
For applicants in Tuvalu
The Australian Home Affairs team will be in Funafuti at the Falepili Mobility Pathway Hub to collect biometrics from applicants. To make a booking with the team, email the Falepili Union team in Home Affairs on falepili@homeaffairs.gov.au. You can also visit the Hub team at Kiatoa's place (opposite Ioasa's house) on the Vaiaku side. Opening hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Monday to Friday.
Attach more information
If you did not attach all documents when you applied, attach them as soon as you can in ImmiAccount.
We might ask you to provide more information. However, we do not have to do so and we may make a decision on your application without asking for more documents.
Stay lawful
If you apply for this visa in Australia, make sure you stay lawful by holding a valid visa while we process your application.
If you apply for this visa in Australia, you may be automatically granted a bridging visa (BV). If your current visa expires before we decide on your application, the BV will come into effect. We will notify you of the grant of your BV. You can stay in Australia on the BV while we process your new visa application.
For more information, go to:
Do not ask to have the visa you currently hold cancelled. If your visa is cancelled:
- you will be unlawful
- your BV will cease.
Learn more about visa expiry.
Newborn child
If you have a child after you submit your application but before we decide your visa application, you must tell us as soon as possible.
Find out what to do if your child is born after you apply.
Mistakes on your application
You must tell us as soon as possible if you made a mistake on your application.
Complete Form 1023 Notification of incorrect answers. Attach the completed form in ImmiAccount.
Help with your application
Let us know if you no longer want someone to:
- receive your correspondence - complete Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient
- provide immigration advice - complete Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person .
Upload your written notification or your forms to ImmiAccount.
For more information, see Who can help you with your application.
Tell us if things change
You must let us know if things change after you have applied but before we make a decision. Changes you must notify us of include:
- changes to your phone number, email, address or passport
- changes to your marital or de facto status
- if you want to withdraw your application.
Removing your application from ImmiAccount does not withdraw it. Important: After a visa application has been withdrawn, no further action can be taken on the withdrawn application.
See how to tell us if your situation changes.
5Visa outcome
You can be inside or outside Australia when we decide your visa application. We will let you know our decision in writing.
If we grant you the visa, we will tell you:
- your visa grant number
- the date your visa starts
- your visa conditions, if applicable.
Keep a copy of the decision.
If we refuse you the visa, we will tell you:
- why we refused the visa
- if you have a right to a review of the decision.
We will not refund the application charge if we refuse your application.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s free support service will offer information sessions in Tuvalu that include:
- information on travel and relocation
- practical advice about living in Australia
- information on community and government support.
When you have this visa
Coming to Australia
Before you travel
Check your travel documents
You must have:
- a valid visa to enter Australia
- a valid passport or other travel document.
Arrive before first entry date
Your first entry to Australia must be on or before the date provided in your visa grant notification letter. The first entry date is generally 12 months from the date of visa grant.
If you do not enter Australia before this date, your visa will cease. You will no longer be allowed to travel to Australia as the holder of a permanent resident visa.
At the border
Complete an Incoming Passenger Card
All people arriving into Australia must complete the Incoming Passenger Card.
Use the SmartGate
We have an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. You might be able to leave the airport faster if you use SmartGate.
In Australia
When you have this visa, you can:
- live, work and study anywhere in Australia
- travel to and from Australia indefinitely
- sponsor eligible relatives to come to Australia
- access Australia's public health care scheme, Medicare
- if eligible, apply for Australian citizenship.
What you must do on this visa
You and your family members must obey all Australian laws.
You can check visa details and conditions in VEVO.
Tell us if things change
See what to do if your situation changes.
How long you can stay
This is a permanent visa. It lets you come and go to Australia and stay in Australia indefinitely. See also travelling on your visa below.
Access Australian Government benefits
As a newly arrived resident, you might have to wait to access certain Australian Government payments and benefits. Learn more about newly arrived resident’s waiting periods from Services Australia.
Support for Treaty stream visa holders
The Australian Government is providing free support for Falepili Mobility Pathway participants, both in Tuvalu and Australia.
Falepili Support Service (Tuvalu) ‘The Hub’
The Hub is in Funafuti and provides Treaty stream visa applicants and visa holders with pre-departure and mobilisation support. This includes information sessions on life in Australia and employment support services for those visa holders looking to find a job in Australia before they move.
Visa applicants and visa holders are strongly encouraged to contact the Hub as soon as possible to access pre-departure support and information.
The Hub is open Monday to Friday, 11am–4pm.
Drop in to the Hub or email them at falepilipathway@pevsupport.com.au
Falepili Support Service (Australia)
The Falepili Support Service is available to visa holders upon arrival in Australia. It provides a range of assistance, from on-arrival transport and connections to essential services, to help finding employment and long-term housing.
The Support Service also engages with the Tuvaluan diaspora in Australia to help connect new arrivals with the broader community.
Visa holders are strongly encouraged to let the Support Service know of your intended arrival date in Australia so you can access support as soon as you arrive.
The Support Service is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Email them at FMPP@ames.net.au
For further information see: Welcome | Falepili Mobility Pathway (Treaty stream visa).
Settlement support
You are entitled to a range of settlement support services that will help you and your family have a positive experience settling into Australia. These include:
The SETS program gives settlement-related information and assistance, and referral to relevant services.
As a permanent resident, you will have access to certain Australian Government benefits, including:
- Medicare
- Commonwealth-supported university places
- the Child Care Subsidy
- Family Tax Benefit Part B.
As a Pacific Engagement visa (subclass 192) – Treaty stream (Tuvalu) holder, you will have access to additional supports to help with the cost of education, training and raising a family in Australia. These include:
- Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- VET Student Loans (VSL)
- Youth Allowance (Student)
- Youth Allowance (Apprentice)
- Family Tax Benefit Part A.
Travelling on your visa
You can travel to and from Australia indefinitely from the date we grant the visa. You do not need a resident return visa. If you renew your passport you will need to update your details in ImmiAccount before you travel.
For information on your visa and travel facility use VEVO.
Proving you have a visa
To prove you have a visa and show your conditions to someone, use VEVO.
Working
You are protected by Australian workplace law. See your workplace rights and entitlements.
Bringing family
As an Australian permanent resident, you might be able to sponsor eligible family to come to Australia.
To find a visa for your family member, explore visa options.
Becoming an Australian citizen
After a certain amount of time, you might be eligible for Australian citizenship. Find out more about becoming a citizen.
For citizenship purposes, your permanent residence starts on either the day:
- we grant the visa if you are in Australia
- you enter Australia on this visa if you are outside Australia.
Leaving Australia
Before you leave
Check your travel documents
You must have a valid passport or other travel document to leave Australia and return.
If you renew your passport you will need to update the department before you travel.
At the border
Leaving the airport faster
We have an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. You could leave the airport faster if you use SmartGate.
After you leave
Proving you have been to Australia
To get proof of your travel in and out of Australia, you can request a copy of your international movement records.
Official source: Department of Home Affairs, immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. © Commonwealth of Australia. Refer to the source website for its copyright and conditions of use.
Open the official page
Next step
Have a visa question or need help getting started?
A 30-minute consultation gives us time to discuss your circumstances, consider initial options and identify the documents that need checking. Some matters require a further review of the records before I can give a complete assessment.