Yes. You can register for the ballot from anywhere in the world, including if you are already in Australia on a different visa. This includes existing Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, the Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV), and student visas.
You can register for the ballot from anywhere in the world, including if you are already in Australia on a student visa.
However, if you are on an Australia Awards scholarship, you will need to abide by the terms of that contract. Failure to do so may result in you needing to pay back the scholarship funding.
No, only a spouse or de facto partner, and/or legal children can be registered as dependents.
Yes, pregnant women can apply for the ballot.
If selected and you travel to Australia as a visa holder, you can access the Australian public health system, Medicare, during pregnancy and birth. Your baby may also be entitled to Australian citizenship.
Visit the Department of Home Affairs website for information on citizenship at birth.
Visit Services Australia for information on Medicare services for conceiving, pregnancy and birth.
Yes. A child born in Australia is automatically an Australian citizen if, at the time of birth, at least one parent was:
- an Australian citizen,
- a permanent visa holder such as a Treaty stream visa, or
- a Special Category (subclass 444) visa (SCV) holder on or after 1 July 2022.
Yes – a spouse or de facto partner who is not a Tuvaluan citizen may be included as a dependent with a Tuvaluan citizen primary applicant.
A primary applicant, either of their parents, or any one of their grandparents must be born in Tuvalu to be eligible to enter the ballot.
Yes, because Kiribati and Tuvalu were one colony. Such persons are eligible for a Tuvaluan birth certificate.
Yes, Tuvaluans who are also permanent residents of another country, including New Zealand, can enter the Treaty stream ballot and if selected may apply for the Falepili Mobility Pathway (Treaty stream) visa.
Yes.
If a person is currently in prison and they meet the ballot registration requirements, they are not prevented for registering in the Treaty stream ballot. However, if they are selected to apply for a visa, they will need to meet the visa character requirements, including criminal convictions and periods of time spent in prison. For further information see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/character
When completing a Falepili Mobility Pathway (Treaty stream) application through ImmiAccount, all applicants will need to declare any periods of visa overstay in any country.
Persons in Australia at the time of making a Falepili Mobility Pathway (Treaty stream) application must hold a valid visa.
A person who has had a visa cancelled or refused may also not be eligible to apply for the Falepili Mobility Pathway (Treaty stream) visa. A person in this situation may seek independent legal advice to inform consideration of their visa options.
Persons outside Australia, who previously overstayed their visa in Australia and were removed from Australia may be subject to a limitation period in which they can apply for a visa to Australia.
No. Neither the ballot or visa application charges can be refunded under Australian law because a person was not selected in the ballot or wishes to withdraw their visa application.
Visit the Department of Home Affairs website for ballot registration and visa information.
An ImmiAccount gives you access to many online services on the Department of Home Affairs website.
You will need one to register for the ballot.
Create an account by following step-by-step instructions on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Yes, a Treaty stream (Tuvalu) ballot participant can amend their registration after they have submitted it and while it’s at ‘received’ status. They can do this via their registered ImmiAccount.
There is then an option to ‘edit’ and update some of the details on their registration form (if they made a mistake or if they renew their passport). All fields except ‘country of passport’ can be edited.
Registered ballot participants can also withdraw their registration at any time during the ballot process in ImmiAccount.
No. Neither the ballot or visa application charges can be refunded under Australian law because a person was not selected in the ballot or wishes to withdraw their visa application.
Visit the Department of Home Affairs website for ballot registration and visa information.
Yes. As permanent residents, visa holders can choose where they live, work and study in Australia. They can move freely anywhere in the country.
No. The Falepili mobility pathway is a permanent residence visa, and holders can travel to and from Australia without restriction. This enables circular mobility between Australia and Tuvalu.
Medical examinations may be undertaken in a visa applicant’s country of residence – including Tuvalu and Fiji. If an applicant is living in Tuvalu, they can do their immigration medical examination in Tuvalu at the Princess Margaret Hospital.
All Immigration Medical Examination costs must be covered by the visa applicant. Medical Examinations are broader than screening for TB and include an examination by an Australian Government approved doctor.
The Falepili Mobility Pathway Support Services (Tuvalu) in Funafuti can help visa applicants to book medical examinations for visa applicants in Tuvalu.
All visa applicants outside Australia at the time of visa application must be free from tuberculosis (TB) to be granted a visa.
Treaty stream visa holders have 12 months from date of the visa grant.
Yes, a primary applicant, if granted a Falepili Mobility Pathway (Treaty stream) visa can enter Australia before other family members.
However, all Falepili Mobility Pathway (Treaty stream) visa holders must travel to Australia within 12 months from the date of visa grant.
Failure to enter Australia by the first entry date can render the visa liable for cancellation.
Any person who commits a crime in Australia and who is not an Australian citizen may be subject to visa cancellation.
Visa holders should be aware that the cost of living in Australia is generally much higher than in Tuvalu. Common expenses include rent for housing, food, bills for electricity and heating, and transport.
However, these costs can vary depending on where you live in Australia.
The Australian Government provides an online calculator for international students intending to study in Australia to assist them calculate potential living expenses. This calculator can also be a useful guide to assist people in understanding and undertaking financial planning for living in Australia.
You can become a citizen of Australia in different ways. You must meet certain criteria before you apply, including residency requirements.
See https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/become-a-citizen for more information.
The NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) is Australia’s national funding and support service for people with permanent and significant disabilities.
Everyone who wishes to apply for the NDIS must be:
- An Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Living in Australia
- Under 65 years on the day of applying
- have a permanent and significant disability.
All applicants to the NDIS must be assessed for their individual needs and goals. This process can take 3-6 months.
As permanent residents, visa holders can freely travel between Tuvalu and Australia.
However, most Australian Government services require people to live in Australia.
Some payments, such as Family Tax Benefit and Youth Allowance, may continue for up to 6 weeks of overseas travel without being affected.
If you leave Australia for more than 6 weeks, your payments may be reduced or stop altogether. You would then need to re-apply when you return.