Aust Visa Lottery To Open Soon

Registrations for Australia’s new Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) lottery will open to Fiji citizens and other Pacific Islands States and Timor-Leste nationals on June 3. The applicants randomly selected will be invited to apply for the visa which would allow them to migrate to Australia permanently.

This year, there are 300 visas avail-able for Fiji out of 3000 allocated to 10 countries.

One local business in Suva is gearing up to assist applicants when the programme officially launches.

Dynasty Tours and Travels is an accredited international air trans-port (IATA) agency located in Regal Lane in the heart of the Capital City.

Founded by Manoj Daswaney and Hriday Daswaney in India in 2017, Dynasty Tours offers the kind of products and services you would typically find at a travel agency offering international and domestic airline bookings, hotel reservations, tailor-made itineraries, and tour packages.

Company visa officer Upasna Raju said the company had a track record of successfully helping applicants with visa programmes.

Dynasty Tours and Travels visa officer Upasna Raju.

“Seeking assistance from travel agencies to apply for visas and migration programmes are common and considered normal practice in Fiji.

“Many individuals and families rely on the expertise and support provided by travel agencies to navigate the complexities of visa applications and migration processes.

“We’ve helped numerous individuals achieve their migration goals and embark on new opportunities abroad.”

Ms Raju is assisting individuals and families with the Pacific Access Category ballot, a New Zealand permanent residence visa scheme, which is open until June 30. She also has previous experience handling the United States Green Card Lottery, which awards a limited number of immigrant visas each year.

Criteria

Pacific Engagement Visa eligible citizens must register for the pre-application electronic ballot through Australia’s Department of Home Affairs and be randomly selected before they can apply for the visa. The ballot registration fee is AU$25 (FJ$67). Applicants must be aged between 18 to 45, hold a valid passport for an eligible country, and be born in or have a parent born in that eligible country.

Applicants must meet other relevant criteria before they can be issued a visa, including securing a formal job offer in Australia and meeting health and character requirements. Visas allocated are inclusive of partners and dependent children. Existing Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme (PALM) workers in Australia can also enter the ballot.

Ms Raju said the company would guide applicants through two major stages in the process.

“We will aid individuals in registering their expression of interest in the ballot for a nominal fee.

“Subsequently, for those fortunate enough to secure a job offer, we extend our support in navigating the PEV application process, ensuring that all requirements are met and the application is submitted accurately and promptly.

“Our goal is to streamline the process for applicants and provide comprehensive assistance every step of the way to facilitate their successful migration to Australia.”

Building Pacific connections

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong said in April that the Albanese government “listened to the calls of Pacific leaders” and responded with the Pacific Engagement Visa. She said Australia was delivering on its commitment to grow connections with the Pa-cific and Timor-Leste.

Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Pio Tikoduadua said the visa scheme would be “good for Fiji” once it rolled out, reiterating the Government’s support for it.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka also endorsed the Permanent Resident Visa and said recently that it would provide opportunities for Fijians. At Parliament on Monday, Mr Rabuka said Fiji and Australia were committed to facilitating two-way travel through the Pacific Engagement Visa programme under the Vuvale Partnership, a bilateral foreign policy strategy that promoted cooperation between both nations.

However, the Leader of the Opposition Inia Seruiratu believes those potential gains need to be weighed against the losses.

“Our people will go across to Australia particularly for work but at the same time, we’re losing out on our end as well with our skilled people,” he told Fiji Sun.

“There are some implications in terms of FNPF deductions, the wages that go into the cycles within the economy in Fiji. These benefits and implications need to be seriously looked into.”

Ms Raju understands the importance of her role as a visa officer at Dynasty, advising clients through visa applications and immigration matters that can be tedious. She said she “takes pride” in delivering professional and personalised assistance to meet their needs effectively and come June 3, things won’t be any different.

Feedback:  jernese.macanawai@fijisun.com.fj