IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Australian government recently released the order in which it will process different visa application types. Skilled visa applications will be prioritized as follows:

  • For healthcare and teaching occupations.
  • For employer-sponsored visas — visa applications where the applicant is nominated by an approved sponsor with Accredited Status.
  • For an occupation to be carried out in a designated regional area.
  • For permanent and provisional visa subclasses — visa applications that count toward the migration program, excluding Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment, Provisional) visa.

Additional Information: For the aforementioned visa categories, priority is given to those who hold eligible passports. Regarding provisional and permanent skilled visa applications, authorities give priority to visa applications for primary applicants located outside Australia when the visa application is submitted. Skilled visa applications not included in the list above are being processed in order of their submission date.

More information regarding the prioritization of skilled visa applications, including lists of specific visa categories, is available here. Application processing times are available on this website.

BAL Analysis: The priority processing lists are complex, but these modifications do not substantially alter last year’s lists. Processing times are not expected to change substantially. BAL continues to monitor changes in priority processing categories and will provide additional information as it becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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