Australia Visa 858: National Innovation Visa
Australia AUS
Subclass 858 is Australia's National Innovation visa (NIV), a permanent visa for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement. Until 6 December 2024 the same subclass was the Global Talent visa; the Migration Amendment (National Innovation Visa) Regulations 2024 renamed it and added a requirement that the applicant has been invited in writing by the Minister.
The visa is invitation-only. You submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), wait for the Department of Home Affairs to invite you, then apply within 60 days of the invitation with a Form 1000 completed by a nominator who has a national reputation in your area. Invitations and processing follow Ministerial Direction No. 120, which puts first the global experts holding international top-of-field awards, then candidates nominated by a government agency, then candidates in Tier One and Tier Two priority sectors. An invitation does not mean the Department has pre-assessed your eligibility.
There is no age limit, but applicants under 18 or aged 55 or over must show they would be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community. Applicants aged 18 or over need at least functional English or must pay a second instalment charge (AUD 4,890). The base application charge is AUD 6,235 for the main applicant (AUD 5,110 for Pacific-regional passport holders), with additional charges for each family member who applies. The visa gives permanent residence from the day it is granted, with a five-year travel facility, and family members can be included. The Home Affairs processing times guide currently shows only times for Global Talent applications lodged before 6 December 2024, so no current processing time is stated here.
Program Details
- Category
- Skilled Worker
- Est. total time
- Not published
- Application Fee
- $4,350
- Minimum Income
- —
- Minimum Investment
- —
- Family Included
- Members of the family unit may be included, and can be added at any time before a decision; family members who apply must meet the health and character requirements. An applicant under 18 can only include their parents and members of the family unit of that parent.
- Path to PR
- Yes — 0 years
- Path to Citizenship
- Yes — 4 years
- Physical Presence
- You must be in Australia, or outside Australia but not in immigration clearance, when you apply and when the visa is decided. If you are in Australia when you apply you must hold a substantive visa or a Bridging A, B or C visa. For citizenship purposes, permanent residence starts on the day the visa is granted if you are in Australia, or the day you enter Australia with the visa if you are outside.
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Tax Impact
- Permanent residents are taxed as Australian residents on worldwide income from the date of entry
Some details here are best-available information rather than officially confirmed: estimated total time. Spotted an error? Tell us.
No minimum-income criterion is listed for the visa. Current earnings, or a written Australian job offer, at or above the Fair Work high income threshold (currently AUD 190,100 from 1 July 2026 according to the Fair Work Commission, adjusted each 1 July) is one of the indicators of exceptional achievement that Ministerial Direction No. 120 lists; it is not a stand-alone requirement.
Processing time above is an indicative end-to-end estimate, not an official government figure. Official government processing times →
Application Timeline
Apply
Not published
Visa Granted
Initial permit
Permanent Residency
After 0 years
Citizenship
After 4 years
Key Requirements
- ✓Be invited to apply: the Department must invite you after you submit an Expression of Interest, and you must apply within 60 days of the invitation
- ✓Be nominated on a completed Form 1000 by an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen or Australian organisation with a national reputation in the same area as you
- ✓Have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a profession, a sport, the arts, or academia and research, and still be prominent in that area
- ✓Be an asset to the Australian community and able to establish yourself in your area of expertise in Australia without difficulty
- ✓If you are in Australia when you apply, hold a substantive visa or a Bridging A, B or C visa; if you hold a subclass 491 or 494 visa, or your last substantive visa was one, you must have held it for at least 3 years unless circumstances specified by the Minister apply
- ✓Any age may apply, but applicants under 18 or aged 55 or over must show they would be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community
- ✓Applicants aged 18 or over need at least functional English, or must pay the second instalment charge
- ✓Meet the health and character requirements, have no outstanding Australian government debt, and (if 18 or over) sign the Australian values statement
- ✓A separate route under clause 858.212(4) applies to an applicant who, in the Minister's opinion on advice from the Minister responsible for an intelligence or security agency or the Director-General of Security, has provided specialised assistance to the Australian Government in matters of security
Am I eligible for Australia Visa 858: National Innovation Visa?
Quick self-check based on the published criteria. Not legal advice. No data leaves your browser.
Fill in the fields above to see a verdict.
This is a heuristic, not a determination. Final eligibility depends on full documentation and immigration-officer discretion.
Application Process — Step by Step
- 01
Check what subclass 858 is now: the National Innovation visa
home countrySubclass 858 has been the National Innovation visa since 6 December 2024; before that date it was the Global Talent visa. It is for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement. Read the eligibility criteria on the Home Affairs subclass 858 page before you prepare anything.
Typical duration: Varies by applicantsource ↗
- 02
Find a nominator and have them complete Form 1000
home countryYour nominator attests to your achievements on the Nomination for National Innovation visa (Form 1000). They must have a national reputation in the same area as you and be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, an eligible New Zealand citizen or an Australian organisation. The completed form must be attached when you apply; the Department will not process an application without it.
Typical duration: Varies by applicantsource ↗
- 03
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
onlineSubmit the National Innovation visa EOI form. An EOI is not a visa application and not an assessment of your eligibility, and submitting one does not guarantee an invitation. An EOI stays active for 2 years from the date you submit it. Do not submit a second EOI while one is pending unless your claims have significantly changed.
Typical duration: Active for 2 years once submittedsource ↗
- 04
Wait for an invitation to apply
onlineInvitations and processing follow the priority order in Ministerial Direction No. 120: priority one is exceptional candidates from any sector who are global experts and recipients of international top-of-field awards; priority two is candidates from any sector nominated on Form 1000 by an expert Australian Government, State or Territory agency; priority three is Tier One sectors; priority four is Tier Two sectors. If you are invited, the invitation carries a unique reference and identifier to use when you apply. If no invitation arrives within 2 years, the EOI expires.
Typical duration: No fixed time; EOI expires after 2 yearssource ↗
- 05
Lodge the visa application within 60 days of the invitation
onlineApply online through ImmiAccount within 60 days of the date of the invitation, attaching the completed Form 1000 and your evidence. The Department does not accept applications lodged without an invitation or outside the specified timeframe. You must be in Australia, or outside Australia but not in immigration clearance, when you apply and when the visa is decided; if you are in Australia you must hold a substantive visa or a Bridging A, B or C visa.
Typical duration: Within 60 days of the invitationsource ↗
- 06
Health, character and English evidence
home countryYou and any family members who apply must meet the health requirement, and family members aged 16 or over must meet the character requirement. Provide an overseas police certificate from every country where you spent 12 months or more in the last 10 years since you turned 16, and an Australian Federal Police National Police Certificate (complete disclosure) if you spent 12 months or more in Australia in that period. Applicants aged 18 or over must show at least functional English or pay the second instalment charge when the Department asks.
Typical duration: Varies by applicantsource ↗
- 07
Decision and grant
destinationIf the visa is granted you become a permanent resident on the day of grant. The visa is linked digitally to your passport and no label is placed in it. Use VEVO to check your conditions and when the 5-year travel facility ends.
Typical duration: Processing times varysource ↗
Documents Required
| Document | Issued By | Apostille | Translate to | Validity (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passport pages showing photo, personal details, issue and expiry dates, plus any national identity card and proof of change of name | Home country | No | en | — |
| Nomination for National Innovation visa (Form 1000), completed and signed by your nominator | Nominator (Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen or Australian organisation) | No | — | — |
| Record of achievement evidence (for example awards and prizes, research grants, publications, patents, keynote appearances, supporting statements, media coverage) | Self / third parties | No | en | — |
| Evidence of your ability to establish yourself in Australia in your area of achievement | Self / nominator / Australian organisations | No | en | — |
| Evidence of exceptional benefit to the Australian community (applicants under 18 or aged 55 or over) | Self | No | en | — |
| Evidence of at least functional English, or a statement of intention to pay the second instalment charge (applicants aged 18 or over) | Test provider / self | No | — | — |
| Police certificates (and military service records if you served in any country's armed forces) | National police authorities / Australian Federal Police / armed forces | No | en | — |
| Relationship and dependant documents for family members you include | Civil registries / self | No | en | — |
Realistic Costs
Amounts are from the Home Affairs price list (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/fees-and-charges/current-visa-pricing) and the Migration Regulations 1994 (Schedule 1, item 1113), compilation of 1 July 2026. First instalment, payable when you apply: base application charge AUD 6,235; additional applicant charge AUD 3,120 for an applicant aged 18 or over and AUD 1,560 for an applicant under 18. For an applicant holding a passport from a Pacific-regional country (and family members combined with that application) the regulations set AUD 5,110 base, AUD 2,560 (18 or over) and AUD 1,280 (under 18); the Home Affairs visa page lists the eligible passport countries (Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste) for its lower visa cost from 1 July 2026. A second instalment charge of AUD 4,890 applies only to an applicant who was at least 18 at the time of application and is assessed as not having functional English; it is paid when the Department asks, and only if it is going to grant the visa. The structured fee on this page, USD 4,350, is the AUD 6,235 base charge converted at 0.695058 USD per AUD (open.er-api.com, 3 October 2026) and rounded to the nearest USD 50; use the AUD figure for planning. Health checks, police certificates, biometrics and other costs are not included, and this page does not estimate migration agent or relocation costs.
Realistic Timeline
Home Affairs states no processing time for applications made under the National Innovation criteria. Its visa processing times guide lists a National Innovation (subclass 858) entry, but says the times shown reflect Global Talent applications lodged before 6 December 2024 (50% processed in 6 months, 90% in 7 months); a separate older Global Talent entry in the same guide shows 50% in 16 months and 90% in 24 months. The guide is a guide only. The Department lists these as factors that change actual times: whether the application is complete, how quickly you answer requests for information, how long checks take, how long external agencies take on health, character and national security information, places available in the migration program, and where the application sits in the Ministerial Direction No. 120 order of consideration.
Path to Permanent Residency — Details
- Years required
- 0
- Integration test
- Not required
Path to Citizenship — Details
Some details in this section are industry estimates or general guidance rather than officially verified — confirm against the official source before relying on them.
- Years required
- 4
- Language test
- Yes
- Civic test
- Required
- Oath
- Required
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
Tax Residency
Some details in this section are industry estimates or general guidance rather than officially verified — confirm against the official source before relying on them.
- Trigger
- 183 days/year of presence
- Taxation scope
- Worldwide income
- Exit-tax country
- No
Health Insurance
Some details in this section are industry estimates or general guidance rather than officially verified — confirm against the official source before relying on them.
- Mandatory
- No
- Public system access
- After 0 months
Examples: Medicare (public), Bupa Australia, Medibank, NIB
Banking Setup
Some details in this section are industry estimates or general guidance rather than officially verified — confirm against the official source before relying on them.
- Open account before arrival
- Not typically possible before arrival
Bridge fintechs
Local banks accepting applicants
Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, Westpac, NAB
Family Specifics
- Spouse work rights
- Home Affairs states that the visa lets the holder work and study in Australia. Family members are included by applying for the visa together with the main applicant, or by being added before a decision.
- Child school enrolment
- Not covered by the Home Affairs visa page; check the education department of the state or territory you will live in.
- Parent inclusion
- Not eligible
- Sibling inclusion
- Not eligible
Gotchas — Things to Watch For
- ⚠Subclass 858 has been the National Innovation visa since 6 December 2024. Guides that still describe it as the Global Talent visa describe the earlier version
- ⚠It is invitation-only: the Department does not accept applications lodged without an invitation or outside the timeframe stated in it
- ⚠An EOI is not a visa application, and an invitation is not a pre-assessment of your eligibility or a promise of a grant
- ⚠An EOI expires if no invitation is issued within 2 years of submitting it
- ⚠Only applicants under 18 can include their parents; an adult main applicant includes members of their own family unit
- ⚠When showing you can establish yourself in Australia you cannot include income from work outside your field
- ⚠The permanent-resident travel facility lasts 5 years from the grant date; after that you need a Resident Return visa (subclass 155 or 157) to re-enter as a permanent resident
What This Visa Does NOT Allow
- ×Does not by itself grant citizenship — the general residence requirement for citizenship applies separately
- ×The permanent-resident travel facility lasts 5 years from the grant date; after that a Resident Return visa (subclass 155 or 157) is needed to re-enter as a permanent resident
- ×Newly arrived residents may need to wait before they can access certain Australian Government payments and benefits
Before You Arrive — Checklist
- Check the eligibility criteria on the Home Affairs subclass 858 page and the National Innovation visa priorities page
- Identify a nominator with a national reputation in your area and ask them to complete Form 1000
- Submit an EOI and assemble your evidence while you wait; the EOI stays active for 2 years
- Arrange police certificates and, if you are 18 or over, evidence of functional English
After You Arrive — Checklist
- Use VEVO to check your visa conditions and when the 5-year travel facility ends
- Enrol in Medicare, which the visa entitles you to use
- Check whether you are eligible for free English classes under the Adult Migrant English Program
- Check the newly arrived residents waiting period on the Services Australia website before relying on government payments
Recent Legislative Changes
2026-07-01
A lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens who lodge a valid subclass 858 application.source ↗
2024-12-06
Subclass 858 became the National Innovation (Class BX) visa. The Migration Amendment (National Innovation Visa) Regulations 2024 commenced on 6 December 2024 and apply to visa applications made on or after that date. They renamed Part 858 of Schedule 2 and added a requirement that the applicant was invited in writing by the Minister, and that the area of achievement is the one stated in the invitation. The current text of the criteria is in the Migration Regulations 1994 (Schedule 1 item 1113 and Schedule 2 Part 858, compilation of 1 July 2026); the amending instrument has itself since been repealed as spent.source ↗
Last known legislative update for this programme: 2024-12-06.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Australia visa 858 still called the Global Talent visa?+
No. Subclass 858 is now the National Innovation visa (NIV). The Migration Amendment (National Innovation Visa) Regulations 2024 commenced on 6 December 2024 and renamed it; before that the subclass was the Global Talent visa. Ministerial Direction No. 120 still refers to the former Global Talent and Distinguished Talent versions of subclass 858 because it also covers applications made under them that were not finally determined.
Can I apply for the subclass 858 visa without an invitation?+
No. You submit an Expression of Interest and wait for the Department of Home Affairs to invite you. If invited, you must apply within 60 days of the date of the invitation, and the Department does not accept applications lodged without an invitation or outside the specified timeframe. An EOI stays active for 2 years; if no invitation is issued in that time it expires.
Which sectors does the National Innovation visa prioritise?+
Home Affairs lists three Tier One sectors (critical technologies; renewables and low emission technologies; health industries) and six Tier Two sectors (agri-food and AgTech; defence capabilities and space; education; financial services and FinTech; infrastructure and transport; resources). Two groups rank above the sector tiers regardless of sector: global experts with international top-of-field awards, and candidates nominated by an expert Australian Government, State or Territory agency.
Is there a minimum income or a job offer requirement?+
The criteria on the Home Affairs page do not set a minimum income or require a job offer. You need a nominator to complete Form 1000, and you must show you can establish yourself in your area of expertise in Australia, without counting income from work outside your field. Earnings at or above the Fair Work high income threshold, either current earnings or a written Australian employment offer, are one of the indicators Ministerial Direction No. 120 lists. The Fair Work Commission gives the threshold as AUD 190,100 (from 1 July 2026), adjusted each 1 July.
Is there an age limit for the subclass 858 visa?+
No, any age can apply. If you are under 18 or aged 55 or over when you apply, you must show you would be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community, and that benefit should be ongoing, sustained and realised shortly after migration.
How much does the subclass 858 visa cost?+
The first instalment is a base application charge of AUD 6,235 for the main applicant, plus AUD 3,120 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over and AUD 1,560 for each under 18. Applicants holding a passport from a Pacific-regional country pay a lower base charge of AUD 5,110 (AUD 2,560 and AUD 1,280 for additional applicants). A second instalment of AUD 4,890 applies only to an applicant aged 18 or over who is assessed as not having functional English, and is paid only when the Department asks. Health checks, police certificates and biometrics cost extra.
How long does the 858 visa take to process?+
Home Affairs does not state a fixed time. It points applicants to its visa processing time guide tool, which is a guide only. The guide's National Innovation entry currently says its times reflect Global Talent applications lodged before 6 December 2024 (50% processed in 6 months, 90% in 7 months), so it is not a figure for applications made under the National Innovation criteria. Actual times depend on factors including whether the application is complete, how quickly you answer requests for information, how long checks take, and where the application sits in the Ministerial Direction No. 120 order of consideration.
What happened to Global Talent applications lodged before December 2024?+
The 2024 amendments to the Migration Regulations apply to applications made on or after 6 December 2024. Ministerial Direction No. 120 also applies to Global Talent and Distinguished Talent visa applications that were made but not finally determined when the Direction commenced. For the position of a specific pending application, check with Home Affairs.
Does the National Innovation visa lead to Australian citizenship?+
It is a permanent visa, so you become a permanent resident on the day it is granted, and you may apply for citizenship if you are eligible. Under the general residence requirement on the Home Affairs citizenship page you must have been living in Australia on a valid visa for 4 years immediately before applying, have held a permanent visa for the last 12 months, and not have been absent for more than 12 months in total in those 4 years, including no more than 90 days in the 12 months before applying.
Can I apply for the National Innovation visa while I am in Australia?+
Yes, you can apply from inside or outside Australia, but not while in immigration clearance. If you are in Australia you must hold a substantive visa or a Bridging A, B or C visa. If you hold a subclass 491 or 494 visa, or your last substantive visa was one, you must have held it for at least 3 years when you apply, unless circumstances specified by the Minister apply.
Good Fit For
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Sources & last verified
- Official source
- Last verified
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