The Australian government has officially announced the application fee for the Pacific Engagement Visa (Subclass 192), which is open to citizens of 12 participating countries, including Ghana. According to the government, fees for the visa start from AUD 345.00, equivalent to approximately USD 220 as of October 29, 2026. The visa programme is designed to offer a permanent stay pathway for nationals of qualifying Pacific nations.
To be eligible for the Pacific Engagement Visa, applicants must first be selected through a PEV ballot and meet specific age and citizenship requirements. Prospective visa holders must be citizens of one of the 12 participating countries and fall within a specific age range of 18 to 46 inclusive. The Australian government outlined that applicants must be selected in the PEV ballot before they can submit an application.
The Australian government published the fee structure and eligibility criteria for the visa programme on October 29, 2026. Applicants who are selected in the ballot must apply online on or before the date specified in their official "Notification of Selection" letter. The government noted that processing times for the new visa programme are not yet available and will be updated at a later date.
One of the key requirements for the Pacific Engagement Visa is that applicants must be citizens of one of the 12 participating countries. The Australian government has not disclosed the names of the participating countries, but it is known that Ghana is one of the countries eligible for the programme. Applicants must also meet specific age and citizenship requirements.
The Australian government has also released its Core Skills Occupational List, which names 456 roles eligible for employer-sponsored migration. The list spans sectors including engineering, ICT, health services, education, and skilled trades such as carpentry and plumbing. Immigration experts say workers whose jobs appear on the list have a clear pathway if their employer is willing to sponsor them.
The Pacific Engagement Visa (Subclass 192) is a newly introduced programme, and the Australian government is yet to provide clarity on processing times. According to the government, an indication of the processing times for this visa is not yet available as it is a new visa program. The estimated processing times for this visa will be updated at a later date.
The announcement of the Pacific Engagement Visa fees and eligibility criteria is a significant development for citizens of participating countries, including Ghana. The visa programme offers a new pathway for nationals of qualifying Pacific nations to secure permanent residency in Australia. Key aspects of the programme include a ballot process, specific age and citizenship requirements, and a fee structure starting from AUD 345.00.
Key points
- The Pacific Engagement Visa (Subclass 192) is open to citizens of 12 participating countries, with fees starting from AUD 345.00.
- Applicants must be selected through a PEV ballot and meet specific age and citizenship requirements.
- The Australian government has released its Core Skills Occupational List, naming 456 roles eligible for employer-sponsored migration.
