Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Mobility Pathway

Australia and Tuvalu have elevated our partnership through the historic Falepili Union Treaty. As part of the Treaty, we have co-designed the Falepili Mobility Pathway to support mobility with dignity.

The Falepili Mobility Pathway, also known as the Falepili Visa, is a new permanent residence visa that provides Tuvaluans with the opportunity to live, work and study in Australia, temporarily or permanently.

The Falepili Mobility Pathway is a two-step process:

Step 1 – Register in the Pacific Engagement visa (subclass 192) – Treaty stream (Tuvalu) ballot

Before you can apply for a Falepili visa, you need to register in the ballot. The Department of Home Affairs manage the ballot and details on registering for the 2026-27 ballot will be available closer to the next ballot date.

Step 2 – Apply for the visa

If you are randomly selected from the ballot, you will be invited by the Department of Home Affairs to apply for the visa.

To be eligible to register in the ballot, you must:

• have turned 18 years old at the commencement of the ballot registration open period for your country
• be a citizen of Tuvalu and that citizenship was not obtained due to an investment to Tuvalu
• hold a valid passport issued by Tuvalu
• be born in, or have a parent or grandparent that was born in Tuvalu
• not be a citizen of New Zealand
• not already be registered in the same Pacific Engagement visa (subclass 192) – Treaty stream (Tuvalu) ballot
• pay the ballot registration fee (AUD25).

Tuvaluans living in Australia, or elsewhere around the world, can register in the ballot.

Tuvaluans living with disability are welcome to apply.

Immediate family members and dependents can be included with the primary visa application.

Visa holders do not need to secure employment in Australia before applying.

Full details on eligibility requirements for the Falepili Mobility Pathway (Treaty stream visa) are available at the Department of Home Affairs website: Pacific Engagement visa (subclass 192) – Treaty stream.

Falepili Support Service (Australia)

The Falepili Support Service is available to visa holders upon arrival in Australia, 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 [email protected]

As permanent residents, Falepili visa holders can apply for and access several government services once in Australia:

• Australia’s public health system
• support under Australia’s disability scheme *
• subsidised prescription medicines
• support for the cost of raising children, including childcare *
• financial help for secondary, tertiary and vocational study *
• low interest loan schemes for tertiary and vocational tuition fees
• English language lessons for migrants.

*There are eligibility requirements for some benefits.

Read more about services in Australia for Falepili visa holders.