National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858)

 

The National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858) has replaced the Global Talent Visa (Subclass 858), effective 7 December 2024.

The National Innovation Visa is a permanent visa for highly skilled professionals to live and work in Australia, designed to attract world-class talent across various fields, including:

• international researchers,
• entrepreneurs,
• innovative investors, and
• exceptional athletes.

Applicants must demonstrate exceptional achievements in an eligible field and the potential to make a significant contribution to Australia’s future and the Australian community.

The Subclass 858 is invitation-only and is suitable for prominent candidates who:

• have top-of-field awards,
• recipients of national research grants,
• PhD holders with proven high levels of academic influence,
• key-note speakers in their chosen field and
• those with recognised intellectual property attributed to them.

 

The National Innovation Visa Application Process

 

Applicants must have their internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement attested by a nominator who has a national reputation.

Applicants must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to receive an invitation to apply and, if successful, must lodge their visa application within the 60-day invitation validity period.

If the applicant fails to submit their visa application within the 60 days, a new EOI will need to be lodged for reassessment, with no guarantee of receiving another invitation.

Once the visa application has been submitted to the Department of Home Affairs for processing, the application will be accessed based on the merits of the supporting evidence provided with the application, and not based solely on the information provided in the EOI.

 

Why apply for the National Innovation Visa?

 

As a holder of the National Innovation Visa, you can work and study in Australia, and you may sponsor relatives to join you. Visa holders can also include dependents in their applications.

You can also take advantage of Medicare, Australia’s public health care system, and apply for Australian citizenship once eligible.

Furthermore, you can travel to and from Australia as many times as you like for 5 years. You will need to apply for a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to continue travelling afterwards.

 

National Innovation Visa Requirements

 

To apply for the National Innovation Visa, applicants must also satisfy the following requirements:

• Meet the health requirements;
• Meet the character requirements;
• Sign the Australian values statement;
• Have no debt to the Australian government; and
• Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused.

Generally, applicants must also have at least functional English language skills (concessions may apply if the applicant has paid the second instalment of the visa application charge).

 

Do I need a previous visa to apply?

 

Overseas applicants do not need a previous Australian visa to be eligible.

If applying onshore, applicants must hold a substantive visa or one of the following:

• Subclass 010 Bridging A visa;
• Subclass 020 Bridging B visa; or
• Subclass 030 Bridging C visa.

Additionally, applicants may be eligible if they have held one of the following visas for at least 3 years:

• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491); or
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494).

 

Is there an age limit for the National Innovation Visa?

 

There is no age limit for the National Innovation Visa.

However, priority may be given to applicants aged between 18 and 55 years.

Applicants aged below 18 or above 55 years may still be eligible if they are considered to be an exceptional benefit to the Australian community.

Evidence that may help applicants aged below 18 or above 55 years include:

• Job offers in Australia;
• Service agreements or business contracts in Australia; or
• Grants associated with planned research in Australia.

 

Who can be nominated for the National Innovation Visa?

 

Applicants must be nominated to apply for the National Innovation Visa.

The nominator must have a national reputation in the same field as the applicant and should come from the peak Australian body in that field.

The nominator must also be:

• an Australian citizen;
• an Australian permanent resident;
• an eligible New Zealand citizen; or
• an Australian organisation.

The nominator can be the applicant’s current employer, supervisor, or someone aware of and can attest to the applicant’s record of achievement in their area of talent.

Applicants do not need employment or state sponsorship to apply.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

Contact Us

 

Contact Bambrick Legal to schedule a consultation with our migration team. We can confirm your eligibility and help you apply.

• Schedule a professional consultation with our specialists here
• Call us on 08 8362 5269
• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on LinkedIn

Please note: Our migration and citizenship consultations are provided on a fee basis.

Related Blog – Business Innovation & Investment Visa (Subclass 188)