National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858)

Australia's National Innovation Visa (NIV), officially the Subclass 858 National Innovation visa, is a permanent residence visa for exceptionally talented individuals with an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement. Launched on 6 December 2024 under the Migration Amendment (National Innovation Visa) Regulations 2024, it replaced both the Global Talent Visa and the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP). The NIV targets four categories: global researchers, entrepreneurs, innovative investors, and athletes and creatives. Unlike employer-sponsored routes, it requires no job offer, no points test, and no minimum investment — applicants are assessed on individual merit. For 2025-26 it sits within the new Talent and Innovation planning category with 4,300 places, consolidating the former Global Talent Independent, Distinguished Talent, and National Innovation programs.

• Internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a profession, sport, the arts, academia, or research
• Currently prominent in your field and an asset to the Australian community
• Ability to attract a salary at or above the Fair Work High Income Threshold (AUD 190,100/year from 1 July 2026), demonstrated through current earnings, a job offer, or evidence your skills command such remuneration. This is a benchmark indicator rather than an absolute requirement; recent PhD/Masters graduates in Tier One sectors, athletes, and creatives may be assessed differently
• A qualified Australian nominator (citizen, permanent resident, eligible NZ citizen, or Australian organisation with a national reputation in your field) must complete Form 1000; self-nomination is not permitted
• Meet health and character requirements, including police clearances from every country lived in for 12+ months in the past 10 years
• No strict age limit, but applicants under 18 or 55+ must demonstrate exceptional benefit to the Australian community

Expression of Interest stage:

• Passport bio-data page
• Resume/CV
• Evidence of highest qualification
• Supporting statement from nominating government agency and Form 1000 (if applicable)

Visa application stage:

• Valid passport and identity documents
• Completed Form 1000 (Nomination for National Innovation visa)
• Evidence of exceptional achievement in your field
• Evidence of income/salary capacity
• Health examination results
• Police clearance certificates from each country lived in for 12+ months in the past 10 years
• English language evidence
• Passport-style photographs

The NIV grants permanent residency with no expiry date, so there is nothing to renew. Holders receive a 5-year travel facility allowing unlimited travel to and from Australia. After the travel facility expires, a Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155 or 157) is needed for further international travel, generally requiring at least 2 years of residence in Australia during the preceding 5 years.

Spouse or de facto partners and dependent children can be included in the application. Each family member receives the same permanent residence status and unrestricted work rights, and must pass health and character checks. From 1 July 2026, additional fees apply: approximately AUD 3,120 per additional adult (18+) and AUD 1,560 per child (under 18). A second visa application charge of roughly AUD 6,740 applies for each adult family member who cannot demonstrate at least Functional English. Exact amounts are best confirmed via the Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator.

The NIV operates on an invitation-only basis through a two-stage process. Competition is intense — over 9,000 EOIs had been submitted with fewer than 310 invitations issued as of mid-2025.

Stage 1 - Expression of Interest (EOI): Submit an EOI online through the Department of Home Affairs. EOIs are assessed and invitations issued in monthly rounds based on four priority tiers:

• Priority 1: Global experts and recipients of international top-of-field awards from any sector
• Priority 2: Candidates nominated by an approved Australian government agency via Form 1000
• Priority 3: Exceptional achievements in Tier One sectors (Critical Technologies, Health Industries, Renewables and Low Emission Technologies)
• Priority 4: Exceptional achievements in Tier Two sectors (Agri-food and AgTech, Education, Defence Capabilities and Space, Financial Services and FinTech, Infrastructure and Transport, Resources)

Sports and Arts candidates are also considered. EOIs are valid for 2 years; information cannot be added after submission.

Stage 2 - Visa Application: Once invited, applicants have 60 days to lodge a full visa application through ImmiAccount, pay the application fee (AUD 6,235 for the main applicant, in force from 1 July 2026), and upload all required documents. This deadline cannot be extended.

Processing times: Priority 1-2 applications take approximately 6-12 months; Priority 3-4 approximately 9-18 months. Overall, 50% of applications are processed in about 11 months and 90% in about 18 months.

Permanent residents who become Australian tax residents are taxed on worldwide income. Tax residency is determined by factors including physical presence and domicile. Australia maintains extensive double taxation agreements with other countries. As permanent residents, holders are also eligible for Medicare, Australia's public health system.