Australian High Commission
Tuvalu

Falepili Mobility Pathway

Falepili Mobility Pathway 

The Falepili Mobility Pathway, also known as the Falepili Visa or Treaty stream visa, is now in its second program year. 

The 2026-27 Falepili Visa ballot is open from 1 May 2026 - 1 June 2026. 

Frequently asked questions

For comprehensive frequently asked questions (FAQs), visit the Falepili Mobility Pathway website. 

ELIGIBILITY
 

Am I eligible to register for the Falepili Visa ballot?

As a primary applicant, you can register for the ballot if you:  

  • hold a valid Tuvaluan passport  
  • are aged 18 years or older at the time the ballot period opens 
  • were born in Tuvalu or have a parent or grandparent born in Tuvalu  
  • are a citizen of Tuvalu, and that citizenship was not acquired due to an investment  
  • are not an New Zealand citizen  
  • complete the online registration form and pay the registration fee of $25.  


Can I bring my spouse or de facto partner, and children on the Falepili visa?

Yes, but you must indicate this in your ballot registration. 

Even if you are not 100% sure whether they will accompany you, it’s best to include them in your ballot registration. This ensures that if successful in the ballot, your husband/wife or de facto partner, and dependents are included in the invitation to apply for the visa.

Please note, that if successful in the ballot, you will need to show an official marriage certificate and/or birth or adoption certificates when you apply for the visa.
 

What do you need to prove a de facto relationship?

You and your partner are in a de facto relationship if:

  • you are not married to each other
  • you have a mutual commitment with your de facto partner to the exclusion of all others
  • your relationship is genuine and continuing
  • you either live together or don't live permanently apart
  • you are not related by family.

If in Tuvalu, you must be in your de facto relationship for at least 12 months immediately before you apply for this visa.

Time spent dating or in an online relationship usually does not count as being in a de facto relationship.

You must provide documents proving your relationship, show us you have been in your de facto relationship for at least 12 months before you applied for this visa. This may include evidence of shared finances (bank statements), lease agreements, utility bills etc.  
 

Can I register for the Falepili Visa ballot if I have a disability?

Yes. People with disabilities, special needs, or chronic health conditions (excepting tuberculosis) are welcome to register for the ballot. 

In Australia, visa holders can appy for tailored support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). 

The NDIS helps people with disability to gain greater independence, access to new skills, jobs, or volunteering, an improved quality of life, and connections to services in their community. 

I'm already in Australia on another visa. Can I register for the Falepili Visa ballot?

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.

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.


To register for the ballot, please visit the Department of Home Affairs - Pacific Engagement visa (subclass 192) - Treaty stream

 

REGISTERING FOR THE BALLOT

When will the ballot close?

The 2026-27 ballot will open 1 May 2026 and close on 1 June 2026.

The Minister for Home Affairs has set the ballot open period until 1 June 2026. It will not close early due to the number of registrations received.

How does the ballot process work?  

The Department of Home Affairs’ electronic registration system has been programmed with a simple algorithm to randomly select registrants from the Treaty stream ballot.  

The algorithm is an automated process and an assurance of transparency and integrity; it eliminates all manual intervention in the process and removes any perception of bias in the selection process.  

This means that every eligible Tuvaluan in the ballot has an equal chance of being invited to apply for the Falepili visa. 
 

What do I need to register for the Falepili Visa ballot, as the primary applicant? 

First – you'll need an ImmiAccount [LINK: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/tools/immiaccount].

Second – when registering for the ballot, you’ll need to provide:

  • information about yourself, including your name and date of birth
  • a valid Tuvaluan passport number, including issue and expiry dates
  • a valid email address 
  • the number of dependent children and/or spouse you’d like to include in your visa application

Third – you'll need to pay the AUD$25 ballot registration fee. 
 

Do all dependents need valid passports to register in the Falepili Visa ballot?

No, only the primary registrant needs a valid passport to register in the ballot. 

However, if you are selected to apply for a Falepili Visa, all applicants, including dependents, will require valid passports. 

What is an ImmiAccount? 

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 - https://online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login 

What documents do I need for my ballot registration?

Scanned copies or photographs of documents are not required to register in the Falepili Visa ballot. However, the primary applicant must provide details of their valid Tuvaluan passport.

Can I include my family members in my ballot registration?

You may include your immediate family members such as your husband, wife, or de facto partner and any dependent children. The wider family unit cannot be included, such as your parents, your spouse’s parents, aunts, uncles, or cousins.

If you are considering bringing immediate family members, you must include how many in your ballot registration.

If selected in the ballot, you will need to provide details of all family members in your visa application, including identity documentation such as birth certificates, adoption certificates, and marriage certificates.


a) Can adult children be included in the Falepili Visa ballot registration?

• Yes, if the adult child is

• not married, engaged or in a de facto relationship;

•  aged 18 to 23 years and dependent on the main applicant or the main applicant's spouse or de facto partner; or

• aged 23 years or older and dependent on the main applicant or the main applicant's spouse or de facto partner due to a partial or total physical or mental disability.

b) Can stepchildren be included in the Falepili Visa ballot registration?

Yes, children of both the main applicant and the main applicant’s spouse or de facto partner may be included in the visa application.


c) Can adopted children be included in the Falepili Visa ballot registration?

Yes, a child formally adopted in Tuvalu can be included with official adoption paperwork.

 

If you are caring for an elderly parent at home, can you put them on your Falepili Visa ballot registration as a dependent?

No, only a spouse or de facto partner, and/or legal children can be registered as dependents.


Can I register for the Falepili Visa ballot if I have a non-Tuvaluan spouse?  
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.
 

Can I register for the Falepili Visa ballot if neither I nor my parents were Tuvalu born, but have lived in Tuvalu for many years and are Tuvalu citizens?

A primary applicant, either of their parents, or any one of their grandparents must be born in Tuvalu to be eligible to register for the ballot.
 

Are primary applicants or their parents born in Kiribati during colonial days eligible to register for the Falepili Visa ballot?

Yes, primary applicants or their parents born in Kiribati during colonial days eligible to register because Kiribati and Tuvalu were one colony. Such persons are eligible for a Tuvaluan birth certificate.

I have recovered from Tuberculosis (TB) in the last 12 months. Can I still register for the Falepili Visa ​ballot?

Yes.
 

Can you edit your form if you have forgotten something to include in your registration?

Yes, a Falepili Visa ballot participant can amend their registration after submission and while it’s at ‘received’ status. You can do this via your registered ImmiAccount.

There is an option to ‘edit’ and update some of the details on the registration form (if you've made a mistake or if you renew your passport). All fields except ‘country of passport’ can be edited.

You can also withdraw your registration at any time during the ballot process in ImmiAccount.


Tell us if things change

Keep your email address and passport details up to date so we can contact you if you are randomly selected in the Falepili Visa ballot. Select the ‘View details’ button on your application in ImmiAccount if you need to update your details.


GENERAL VISA QUESTIONS
 

How many visas will be issued per year? 

280 visas will be issued in the first and second program years (2025-26 and 2026-27). Numbers for subsequent program years will be determined by the Australian and Tuvaluan Governments. 

How can I pay the ballot registration fee and the visa application fees?

You can pay online by:

• Credit Card
• PayPal
• UnionPay
• BPAY

For detailed information visit: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/applying-online-or-on-paper/online/how-to-pay


Will Falepili visa holders be able to live, work and study anywhere in Australia?

Yes. As permanent residents, visa holders can choose where they live, work and study in Australia. They can move freely anywhere in the country at any time.

Do Falepili visa holders need to stay in Australia to retain permanent resident status?

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.

What happens if people drop out of the Falepili visa process? Are they replaced to keep numbers at 280? 

The Department of Home Affairs is permitted to grant up to 280 visas each program year.

This means that if more people need to be selected in a ballot they can be, however it is not anticipated that more than one ballot each year will be required.


Are the ballot and visa applications fees refundable if I am not selected in the Falepili Visa ballot or choose not to take up the visa?

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.

How do I meet the public interest criteria including health and character?

All Falepili Visa applicants will need to undertake a medical examination.

All applicants aged 17 years and over will be required to answer questions about their character and provide a police certificate from each country they have lived in, for a total period of 12 months in the past 10 years.
 

How and where will the testing for Tuberculosis take place? Will the testing be done in Fiji or Tuvalu? And if in Fiji, is the testing costs covered by applicant?

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.


Will someone be rejected if they test positive to Tuberculosis?

All Falepili Visa applicants outside Australia at the time of visa application must be free from tuberculosis to be granted a visa.
 

If someone comes to Australia as a Falepili visa holder and they commit crime, what are the implications?

Any person who commits a crime in Australia and who is not an Australian citizen may be subject to visa cancellation.


SUPPORT SERVICES


Can Falepili visa holders access support services in Australia? 

Yes. This is a permanent resident visa. This means that on arrival in Australia, visa holders, including any dependents, can immediately apply for: 

  • Australia’s public health system (Medicare)
  • tailored disability support (NDIS)
  • subsidised prescription medicines
  • support for the cost of raising children, including childcare
  • financial help for secondary, tertiary and vocational study
  • low interest loans for tertiary and vocational tuition fees
  • support for learning English. 

Please note that some eligibility and location requirements apply. For example, permanent visa holders must live in Australia to be eligible for Medicare, NDIS, and most education and training support schemes.  


Do I need a job offer before moving to Australia? 

Falepili Visa holders do not need to secure employment before moving to Australia. 

We do recommend finding a job as soon as possible though to help with the cost of living and settling into life in Australia.

Support services will be available before leaving Tuvalu and in Australia to help Falepili visa holders find work. 

How will Falepili visa holders be supported to find employment and prepare for life in Australia?

Falepili Visa holders can access a service that will help connect them to employers in Australia, in a variety of roles and skill levels.

They will be guided through the visa application process, given information about life in Australia, and supported through the diaspora (Tuvaluans already living in Australia) to maintain their connection to culture.

How much money will I need to migrate my family to Australia if I receive a Falepili visa?

Applicants are required to self-fund their ballot fee and (if selected in the ballot), their visa application charge, health assessment costs, police check costs, flights and travel costs, and accommodation and living costs in Australia.


How can I become an Australian citizen?

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.