Pacific Engagement Visa 2026–27 Ballot Is Now Open

The Department of Home Affairs has opened registration for the Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) ballot for the 2026–27 program year. This announcement was published in MIA Notice 65 on 19 June 2026. The PEV provides a permanent migration pathway for eligible citizens of participating Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste, and entry into the program is determined by ballot, not a first-come-first-served queue.

What Is the Pacific Engagement Visa?

The Pacific Engagement Visa (Subclass 192) is a permanent residence visa that allows nationals from eligible Pacific countries and Timor-Leste to live and work anywhere in Australia. Unlike most skilled migration pathways, the PEV does not require a skills assessment, sponsorship, or a points test. Selection is determined by a randomised ballot conducted by the Department of Home Affairs.

The annual program cap for the PEV sits within Australia's broader migration program. Once selected in the ballot, applicants must meet health, character, and other statutory requirements before the visa is granted.

Who Is Eligible to Register?

To register for the 2026–27 ballot, an individual must be a citizen of one of the following participating countries:

• Fiji
• Kiribati
• Marshall Islands
• Micronesia (Federated States)
• Nauru
• Palau
• Papua New Guinea
• Samoa
• Solomon Islands
• Timor-Leste
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu

Registrants must also be aged 18 to 45 at the time of registration. Each person may only register once per ballot round. Duplicate registrations will be disqualified.

How the Ballot Works

Registering for the ballot does not guarantee a visa or even an invitation to apply. The process operates in the following sequence:

1. Register during the open registration window via the official ImmiAccount portal.
2. The Department of Home Affairs conducts a randomised draw from all valid registrations.
3. Selected registrants receive an invitation to apply for the Subclass 192 visa.
4. Invited applicants must then lodge a full visa application and satisfy all substantive requirements, including health examinations and police clearances.

Only those who receive an invitation following the ballot draw may lodge a visa application. Registering alone does not create any visa rights or entitlements.

Key Preparation Steps Before You Register

Although the PEV does not require a skills assessment at the registration stage, there are important steps you should take before and after registering:

• Confirm your citizenship status and that your passport is valid.
• Check your age falls within the 18 to 45 range at the time of registration.
• Create or access your ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website.
• If selected, be prepared to undergo health examinations and obtain police clearances from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
• Ensure any included family members also meet eligibility criteria.

The Department has noted that character and health requirements apply not only to the primary applicant but also to any secondary applicants included in the visa application.

What Happens After Selection?

If you are drawn in the ballot and receive an invitation, you will be given a specified period to lodge your full Subclass 192 application. Missing this deadline will result in the invitation lapsing. Applicants who are not selected in the draw may register again in future ballot rounds.

It is important to treat the invitation stage seriously. A legal practitioner can assist you in compiling the correct documents, responding to any requests for further information from the Department, and addressing character or health concerns before they become grounds for refusal.

Key Takeaways

• The PEV 2026–27 ballot is now open following the MIA Notice 65 announcement of 19 June 2026.
• Eligible citizens of 13 Pacific nations and Timor-Leste aged 18 to 45 may register.
• Selection is by randomised draw. Registration does not guarantee an invitation.
• Invited applicants must satisfy health, character, and other requirements before the visa is granted.
• Legal advice is recommended once an invitation is received to ensure a complete and compliant application.

The content of this article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is complex and subject to change. The information provided may not reflect the most current legal developments. For advice specific to your circumstances, please consult a registered Australian migration lawyer. For full terms governing use of this website and its content, please refer to our Website Terms and Conditions.

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