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AUSTRALIA: Priority Processing of Visa Applications
December 6, 2022
Processing of certain skilled visa applications in Australia has changed following the removal of the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL). In its place is ‘Ministerial Direction 100’ – a new instruction on the order of processing applications issued by the Minister of Immigration.
Effective immediately, the highest priority is given to skilled applicants nominated for a healthcare or teaching occupation, particularly if they are outside Australia at the time of lodgement.
Following this category are:
- Nominations and Visa applications lodged by/for Accredited Sponsors in any occupation;
- Applications for occupations to be carried out in a designated regional area;
- Permanent and provisional visas that count towards the migration program (not including 188 Business Visas); and finally,
- All other applications.
Immigration has also retained priority for applicants holding Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (Hong Kong SAR) passports or a British National Overseas (BNO) passport.
This direction applies to the following visa types:
- Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa
- Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)) visa
- Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visa
- Subclass 189 (Skilled – Independent) (Points-tested stream) visa
- Subclass 190 (Skilled – Nominated) visa
- Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)) visa
- Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)) visa
- Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) visa
- Subclass 124 (Distinguished Talent) visa
- Subclass 858 (Global Talent) visa
- Subclass 887 (Skilled — Regional) visa
- Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional)) visa
- Subclass 888 (Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa
The Department of Immigration aims to speed up processing and remove confusion by compiling all priorities into one new direction. Other amendments include the streamlining of health requirements for onshore temporary visa applicants.
Employers should take note that processing times will be affected while Immigration officers implement these changes.
Immigration Insights
Please contact your Newland Chase representative or submit an inquiry here should you have any specific questions regarding this announcement.
