National Innovation Visa Subclass 858 Australia

What Is the National Innovation Visa?

The National Innovation visa is subclass 858 and provides a permanent visa pathway for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement.

The Department of Home Affairs describes the visa as being for established and emerging leaders who have high-calibre talent and skills and can make significant contributions that benefit Australia's future prosperity.

The visa replaced the former Global Talent visa (subclass 858) in December 2024.

Is the National Innovation Visa Permanent?

Yes.

The National Innovation visa is a permanent visa.

If granted, it provides permanent residence in Australia, subject to the visa conditions and applicable Australian migration law. Home Affairs lists subclass 858 among Australia's permanent work visa options.

Who Is the National Innovation Visa For?

The NIV is intended for people who can demonstrate an exceptional record of achievement and have the potential to contribute significantly to Australia.

Potential candidates may include:

Researchers and Academics

Researchers who have achieved international recognition through:

• Research contributions
• Academic publications
• Significant discoveries
• International collaborations
• Awards and recognition
• Major research projects

Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs with a strong record of:

• Building innovative businesses
• Creating employment
• Commercialising new ideas
• Developing technology
• Expanding successful ventures internationally

Innovative Investors

People with a demonstrated record of innovative investment and the ability to contribute to Australia's economic development.

Athletes

High-level athletes who have achieved significant national or international recognition in their field.

Creatives

People working in areas such as:

• Arts
• Film
• Music
• Design
• Performing arts
• Other creative industries

The Department considers the applicant's actual achievements and potential contribution rather than simply relying on job title or qualifications.

National Innovation Visa Priority Framework

The Department uses a priority framework when considering NIV Expressions of Interest and visa applications.

The current priority order includes:

Priority 1

Exceptional candidates from any sector who are global experts and recipients of international “top of field” level awards.

Priority 2

Candidates from any sector who are nominated on the approved Form 1000 by an expert Australian, State or Territory Government agency.

Priority 3

Candidates with exceptional and outstanding achievements in Tier One sectors.

These currently include:

• Critical technologies
• Renewables and low-emission technologies
• Health industries

Priority 4

Candidates with exceptional and outstanding achievements in Tier Two sectors.

These include:

• Agri-food and AgTech
• Education
• Defence capabilities and space
• Financial services and FinTech
• Infrastructure and transport
• Resources

The Department also identifies sports and the arts within its current invitation-round reporting.

Current National Innovation Visa Invitations

The NIV is highly selective and invitation numbers are limited.

For the April–June 2026 invitation period, the Department reported:

• 2,166 EOIs received
• 248 invitations issued

Of those invitations:

• Fewer than 5 were Priority 1
• Fewer than 20 were Priority 2
• 192 were Priority 3
• 38 were Priority 4

The Department also reported invitations across sectors including critical technologies, renewables and low-emission technologies, health industries, financial services and FinTech, defence and space, education, infrastructure and transport, resources, and sports and the arts.

These figures relate to that particular invitation period and should not be treated as a guaranteed invitation quota or future outcome.

National Innovation Visa EOI

Before applying for the visa, you must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).

The EOI is not the visa application.

Your EOI should demonstrate your achievements and provide the information required for the Department to consider whether you should be invited to apply.

The Department requires information and supporting documents including:

• Passport bio-data page
• Resume or CV
• Evidence of highest qualification
• Evidence supporting your claimed achievements
• Supporting documents relevant to your field
• Form 1000 and supporting statement where applicable

Documents must be submitted in English, or accompanied by appropriate English translations.

EOI Is Not a Visa Application

This distinction is extremely important.

Submitting an EOI:

• Does not constitute a visa application
• Does not guarantee an invitation
• Is not a formal assessment of visa eligibility
• Does not guarantee that you will receive a visa if invited

The Department specifically states that an invitation is not a pre-assessment of visa eligibility. The visa application is assessed separately on its merits and supporting evidence.

How Long Does the EOI Remain Valid?

A submitted NIV EOI remains in the Department's system for two years.

During that period, the Department may consider the EOI for an invitation.

You generally cannot add new information or documents after submitting the EOI.

If there has been a significant change in your circumstances, the Department provides specific guidance regarding submitting another EOI. Multiple EOIs should not be submitted simply to duplicate an existing application.

What Happens If You Receive an Invitation?

If the Department invites you to apply for the National Innovation visa, you will receive an email containing:

• A unique reference identifier
• An invitation code
• The achievement or achievements forming the basis of the invitation

You must use the invitation information when lodging your visa application.

You Have 60 Days to Apply

Once invited, you have 60 days from the date of invitation to lodge the visa application.

The Department states that this 60-day period cannot be extended.

If you do not lodge the visa application within the specified period, you will need to submit a new EOI to be considered for another invitation, and there is no guarantee that another invitation will be issued.

National Innovation Visa Nomination

A National Innovation visa applicant must provide an appropriate nomination.

The nomination is made using Form 1000.

The nominator must attest to the applicant's record of achievement and relevant qualities.

The Department's Form 1000 identifies the required nominator categories, including:

• Australian citizen
• Australian permanent resident
• Eligible New Zealand citizen
• Australian organisation

The nominator confirms matters including the applicant's internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement, current prominence, potential value to the Australian community and ability to obtain employment or become independently established in the relevant field in Australia.

Government Agency Nomination

For candidates nominated by an expert Australian Government or State or Territory Government agency, additional information is required.

The EOI submission must include:

• Completed Form 1000 with Part A completed by the nominating agency
• Supporting statement from the agency
• Explanation of why the agency is nominating the candidate
• Explanation of how the candidate's expertise can make a significant contribution to Australia
• Information about previous or proposed collaboration with the agency

The Department considers this information as part of the NIV process.

What Evidence Should You Provide?

A strong NIV case should be supported by credible evidence that demonstrates the applicant's actual achievements.

Depending on your field, evidence may include:

• International awards
• Research publications
• Citation records
• Patents
• Major projects
• Business achievements
• Investment achievements
• Media recognition
• Industry awards
• Professional memberships
• Speaking engagements
• Evidence of international recognition
• Evidence of leadership
• Evidence of commercialisation
• Evidence of employment creation
• Evidence of major sporting achievements
• Evidence of creative achievements
• Letters from recognised experts
• Government or industry recognition

The evidence should be directly connected to the achievements claimed in the EOI.

Quality of Evidence Matters

NIV applicants should not simply provide a large collection of documents.

The evidence should clearly demonstrate:

Achievement → Recognition → Current prominence → Australian contribution

A well-organised application should make it easy for the decision maker to understand:

• What you achieved
• Why the achievement is exceptional
• How it has been recognised
• Your current standing in the field
• What you can contribute to Australia

National Innovation Visa and English

The NIV has specific visa requirements, including the applicable English-language requirements and any exemptions provided by the legislation.

Applicants should check the requirements applicable to their circumstances rather than assuming that a particular English test or score is always required.

National Innovation Visa and Age

The NIV has specific age-related provisions and exemptions.

Applicants should assess the age requirement against the current Migration Regulations and the circumstances of their proposed application.

Do not assume that being over a particular age automatically prevents an NIV application without checking whether an applicable exception applies.

National Innovation Visa Family Members

Eligible members of your family unit may be included in the visa application or may have associated visa options, depending on their circumstances.

Family members must satisfy the relevant health, character and other requirements.

Each family member's circumstances should be reviewed as part of the application.

Can You Apply Without an Invitation?

No.

The National Innovation visa is invitation-only.

You must first submit an EOI and receive an invitation before lodging the NIV visa application.

The Department states that it will not accept an NIV application lodged without an invitation or outside the specified 60-day invitation period.

Does an EOI Give You a Bridging Visa?

No.

Submitting an NIV EOI does not itself provide a bridging visa.

If you are in Australia and need to remain lawfully in Australia while waiting for an EOI outcome, you must consider whether you hold or can obtain another appropriate visa.

The Department specifically states that an NIV EOI does not entitle an applicant to a bridging visa.

National Innovation Visa Processing

NIV applications are subject to a specific priority framework.

Ministerial Direction 120, which commenced on 25 July 2026, covers National Innovation visa subclass 858 applications.

Priority processing does not mean that every application will be decided within a fixed period.

Processing can depend on:

• Priority category
• Completeness of the application
• Supporting evidence
• Complexity
• Health and character checks
• Requests for additional information
• Department workload
• Other applicable requirements

National Innovation Visa vs Global Talent Visa

The former Global Talent visa (subclass 858) closed and was replaced by the National Innovation visa (subclass 858) in December 2024.

Therefore:

Although the subclass number remains 858, the current visa should be described as the National Innovation visa, not the Global Talent visa.

National Innovation Visa Process

Step 1 – Assess Your Profile

Review your achievements, international recognition, current prominence and potential contribution to Australia.

Step 2 – Identify Your Relevant Sector

Determine how your achievements align with the current NIV sectors and priority framework.

Step 3 – Prepare Evidence

Collect strong, verifiable evidence of your achievements.

Step 4 – Prepare Your EOI

Complete the National Innovation visa EOI and attach the required documents.

Step 5 – Submit Your EOI

Submit the EOI through the Department's online process.

Step 6 – Wait for Invitation

The Department considers EOIs against the NIV priorities and other relevant factors.

Step 7 – Receive an Invitation

If invited, you will receive an invitation containing the information needed to lodge your visa application.

Step 8 – Lodge the Visa Application

You have 60 days from the invitation date to submit the visa application.

Step 9 – Provide Supporting Evidence

Provide evidence supporting the achievements identified in your invitation and satisfy all applicable visa requirements.

Step 10 – Visa Decision

The Department assesses the visa application on its merits and makes the final decision.

How The Visa Can Help

At The Visa and Education Services Pty Ltd, we can assist talented professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, athletes and creatives in assessing their potential National Innovation visa pathway.

Our assistance may include:

• NIV eligibility assessment
• Achievement profile assessment
• Sector and priority assessment
• EOI preparation
• Evidence strategy
• Supporting document review
• Nomination guidance
• Form 1000 preparation
• Visa application assistance
• Family member assessment
• Review of previous immigration history
• Response to Department requests

Considering the National Innovation Visa?

The NIV is a highly selective, invitation-only permanent visa. Meeting general eligibility requirements does not guarantee an invitation.

Your achievements, international recognition, current standing, sector and potential contribution to Australia should be assessed carefully before submitting an EOI.

Registered Migration Agent: Navneet Kaur (MARN 2318181)

Contact The Visa and Education Services Pty Ltd for professional advice about the National Innovation visa (subclass 858).

Disclaimer: This information is general in nature and does not constitute personalised migration or legal advice. National Innovation visa requirements, priority settings and invitation practices can change. Eligibility and invitation cannot be guaranteed and should be assessed against the legislation and current Department of Home Affairs requirements at the time of application.