
MIA Calls for Offshore Skilled and Partner Visa Priority to Return
Australia’s new visa processing system has sparked fresh concern across the migration industry, particularly around offshore visa priority and how current rules affect applicants outside the country. The Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) has called for the Government to reconsider the lower processing priority now affecting many offshore skilled workers and partners of Australians. The concern follows the introduction of Ministerial Directions 117 and 119 on 25 July 2026, which place greater processing emphasis on applicants who lodged while already in Australia. Importantly, the Government has not reversed the rules. The current processing priorities remain in force. So, what is








