Australia recently voted in favor of a new measure called thePacific Commitment Visa"(Pacific Engagement Visa), which will enable 3,000 immigrants from the Pacific region, including Polynesians, to settle on the island mainland from 2024.
The visa is aimed primarily at residents of the Pacific Islands and East Timor, and is intended to strengthen ties between Australia and its Pacific neighbors, while countering China's growing influence in the region. It is a lottery program where candidates register, pay $$25, and once selected, can submit their official application.
This measure was proposed by the government last February, although it met with some opposition. The coalition supporting the initiative deplores the fact that the new law is based on a random system, and fears that it will not necessarily serve the interests of the participating nations.
Eligibility for this visa draw
- Have a confirmed job offer in Australia;
- Be between the ages of 18 and 45;
- Meet language and health requirements.
Registration process and additional requirements
To enter the Australian visa lottery, applicants must be born in an eligible country, be between 18 and 45 years old, and pay an application fee. Once selected, they must meet certain English language proficiency requirements.
The lucky immigrants selected will be able to migrate with their family members and will have access to Australian social security. What's more, they can potentially acquire Australian citizenship after four years' residence in the country.
Objectives and expected impact of the new visa system
For the ruling Labor Party, which had to strike a deal with the Greens to secure enough votes on the legislation, the "Pacific Engagement Visa" aims to expand the Pacific diaspora in Australia, strengthen people-to-people links and encourage cultural, business and educational exchanges.
This initiative is also seen by some observers as a means of countering China's growing influence in the region.
Beyond the Pacific Engagement Visa: The Pacific Labour Mobility Scheme
This new visa system differs from the Pacific Labour Mobility SchemeThe new visa is a temporary one already granted to residents of the Pacific region to alleviate labor shortages on Australian farms. Visit Pacific Engagement Visa seems to go a step further, enabling Pacific citizens to settle and integrate more permanently in Australia.
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