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National Innovation visa (subclass 858)

Updated 22 July 2026

This is general information, not migration advice. Visa rules, fees and eligibility change often — always confirm on the Department of Home Affairs website, and speak to a registered migration agent about your own situation.

Overview

IMPORTANT NAME CHANGE: subclass 858 is now officially called the National Innovation visa (NIV). Home Affairs states on this page: "The Global Talent visa is closed to new applications as of 6 December 2024. The National Innovation visa has replaced the Global Talent visa. We will continue to process on-hand Global Talent visa applications in accordance with processing priorities and annual migration planning levels." The National Innovation visa (subclass 858) is a permanent visa for people who have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in an eligible area - a profession, a sport, the arts, or academia and research. Home Affairs describes it as being for exceptionally talented migrants who will help create jobs and drive productivity growth in key sectors of the Australian economy, including global researchers, entrepreneurs, innovative investors, athletes and creatives. You must be invited by the Department before you can apply, after submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI). How long you can stay: Permanently. Home Affairs states: "This is a permanent visa. It lets you stay in Australia indefinitely." You become a permanent resident on the day the visa is granted (or, if you are outside Australia, your permanent residence for citizenship purposes starts the day you enter Australia on this visa). You can travel to and from Australia for 5 years from the date of grant; after 5 years you need a Resident Return (RRV) visa (subclass 155 or 157) to re-enter as a permanent resident.

Step by step

  1. Step 1: Step 1 - Before you apply: find a nominator (a person or organisation willing and able to attest to your achievements) who completes Form 1000 - Nomination for National Innovation visa; then submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the National Innovation visa online form so the Department can consider you for an invitation. If invited, your invitation contains a unique reference and identifier, and you must apply within 60 days. Applications lodged without an invitation or outside that timeframe are not accepted.

  2. Step 2: Step 2 - Gather your documents: provide identity and relationship documents, evidence of your record of achievement (which must show the achievements claimed in your EOI), the completed Form 1000 and evidence about your nominator, evidence you can establish yourself in Australia, character documents, functional English evidence, and partner/dependant documents. Translate, scan or photograph them and keep a copy of your application.

  3. Step 3: Step 3 - Apply for the visa online: create an account or sign in to ImmiAccount, pay the application charge (your application is not processed until the charge is paid), attach your supporting documents, submit the application and note the transaction reference number (TRN).

  4. Step 4: Step 4 - After you apply: the Department confirms receipt; complete health examinations when requested and provide biometrics if asked, attach any further information through ImmiAccount, and tell the Department if your circumstances change. The Department does not give status updates - check ImmiAccount for requests.

  5. Step 5: Step 5 - Visa outcome: the Department notifies you of its decision.

Eligibility & requirements

  • You must be invited to apply. You can only apply for this visa if the Department invites you, after you submit an Expression of Interest; you must lodge the visa application within 60 days of invitation.
  • You must have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in one of the following areas: a profession, a sport, the arts, or academia and research. This means you have superior abilities and achievements to others in your area, are acclaimed as exceptional in any country where your area is practised, and have a record of sustained achievement unlikely to diminish in the near future.
  • You must be nominated on a Form 1000 at time of application by a nominator who has a national reputation in the same area as you and who is an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, an eligible New Zealand citizen, or an Australian organisation.
  • You must still be prominent (continue to be active in your area with recent exceptional achievements), be an asset to the Australian community, and have the ability to establish yourself in Australia - that is, be able to find work or become independently established in your area of expertise without difficulty.
  • Age: you can be any age to apply. If you are under 18, or 55 years or older when you apply, you must be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community (ongoing, sustained, and realised shortly after migration).
  • Applicants aged 18 and over at time of application must provide evidence of at least functional English; if you do not have functional English you must pay a second instalment of the visa application charge instead.
  • You must either be in or outside Australia but not in immigration clearance when you apply and when the visa is granted. If you are in Australia you must hold a substantive visa or a Bridging visa A (010), B (020) or C (030); if you hold or last held a subclass 491 or 494, you must have held it for at least 3 years when you apply.
  • You and your family must meet the health and character requirements, must have repaid or arranged to repay any Australian Government debt, and if 18 or older must sign the Australian values statement. A previous visa cancellation or refusal may make you ineligible.

Costs

ItemIndicative cost
Application charge (main applicant)From AUD6,235.00 for the main applicant (concessions apply in limited circumstances)
Second instalment charge (applicant aged 18+ with less than functional English)AUD4,890
Additional applicant charge (each family member who applies with you)Current fee is published on the Home Affairs page for this visa — see Key links.
Cost concession for eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste applicantsFrom 1 July 2026, a lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens who lodge a valid visa application (exact lower amount not published on the visa page)

Key links

Contacts

Registered migration agent (MARA)
For advice about your own circumstances, use a registered migration agent or a legal service. This page is general information only.
National Innovation visa (subclass 858) · AACA