BY NED GAGAHE
Australia has opened the second ballot for its Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) program for 2025, inviting eligible citizens from 11 Pacific nations to apply for permanent residency.
The Australian High Commission in Honiara announced that the second window opened on Monday, July 28, 2025.
“This is a new ballot, and registrations from the 2024 ballot are not included in this draw.
“To be eligible for the PEV, individuals must first be selected through a random ballot. Citizens from participating countries are encouraged to enter – people of all skill levels, genders, and occupations are welcome,” the commission stated.
The PEV 2025 program includes 11 participating countries: the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, and Vanuatu.
In the first round of the PEV ballot, around 50 Solomon Islanders were granted visas, with another 100 applicants currently undergoing processing.
Australia’s Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, Pat Conroy, confirmed these figures during his two-day visit to Honiara from June 25–26, 2025.
There are 150 visa slots available for Solomon Islanders in every PEV draw, meaning that a total of 150 Solomon Islanders can be selected in each PEV ballot.
Minister Conroy described the PEV as a “groundbreaking” initiative aimed at strengthening ties between Australia and Pacific nations.
“The Pacific Engagement Visa is a great way of bringing the peoples of the Pacific together, growing the Pacific diaspora in Australia, and offering lifetime opportunities,” he said.
According to the minister, the PEV program has generated strong interest across the region, with 50,000 applications received for the initial 3,000 visa places available.
Since its introduction in 2023, the program has attracted 450 participants from Solomon Islands; 50 have secured visas, and 100 are in the processing phase.
Minister Conroy acknowledged some early challenges with the scheme, particularly in helping applicants’ complete documentation such as passports and security checks.
“We’ve learned that we need to work closely with applicants to get their paperwork in order. We’ve also heard the call to provide more support in helping them find employment in Australia,” he said.
To address these issues, the Australian Government plans to expand support services across Pacific countries and conduct a review to ensure adequate assistance is provided in future rounds.
“This is a long-term initiative. Like any new program, the first year is about learning. But the PEV is a truly groundbreaking opportunity, and I look forward to seeing many Solomon Islanders take it up,” minister Conroy concluded.
The PEV scheme, first announced in 2023, is part of Australia’s broader commitment to strengthening partnerships and supporting development across the Pacific region.
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