Migration (Visa Pre-application Process) Charge Regulations 2024 dated 14 March 2024 prescribe the amounts of charge to be imposed on the registration of a person as a registered participant in a visa pre-application process.
The Migration Amendment (Subclass 192 (Pacific Engagement Visa) Regulations 2024 amend the Migration Regulations 1994 to introduce a new Subclass 192 (Pacific Engagement) visa which will provide access to permanent residence in Australia for citizens of a number of Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste, and members of their family units.
The Pacific Engagement visa is the first visa to utilise the visa pre‑application ballot process as a requirement to lodge a valid visa application. It is necessary to impose a minimal charge on registering in the Pacific Engagement visa ballot to ensure that registrants are genuine and have thoughtfully considered their ability to pursue the visa if selected.
The Regulations prescribe an amount of AUD25 as the charge for registration as a registered participant in a ballot for the new Pacific Engagement visa. The charge must be paid at the time of registration. If the charge is not paid at this time, the person is taken to never have been registered as a registered participant in the visa pre-application process.
The Charge Act establishes a ceiling of AUD100 as the maximum charge that may be prescribed for a particular ballot.
It is expected that additional visas may employ this ballot procedure in the future.
The Instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 19 March 2024 and commenced on 29 March 2024.
To access the instrument, click here.
