The National Innovation visa (NIV) (Subclass 858) is designed to attract high calibre talents including researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, athletes, and creatives.
The National Innovation visa provides a unique opportunity to highly skilled individuals
National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858)
The National Innovation visa (NIV) (Subclass 858) was designed to attract highly talented individuals including global researchers, entrepreneurs, innovative investors, and athletes and creatives who can make significant contributions to Australia.
For further information, see our NIV FAQs section or contact us directly.
Target Market
- high skilled individuals in specific industries
- global researchers
- entrepreneurs, founders, and innovative investors
- athletes and creatives
Process
- an Expression of Interest (EOI) should be made through the Department’s contact form
- if the EOI is successful, you can apply for the National Innovation visa directly through the Department’s website
- you will need to be endorsed by a nominator who has a national reputation in the same field as you and is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen or an Australian organisation
Target Sectors
- Priority 1: Exceptional candidates from any sector who are global experts and recipients of international ‘top of field’ level awards, such as (but not limited to) Nobel Prizes, Pulitzer Prizes, or Olympic Gold Medals.
- Priority 2: Candidates from any sector nominated on the approved Form 1000 by an expert Australian Commonwealth, State or Territory Government agency. This may include athletes and creatives who will raise Australia’s international standing in their field or evidence of promising entrepreneurial activities that will lead to the commercialisation of a product or service in Australia or recognised intellectual property attributed to them, for example holding relevant international patents.
- Priority 3: Candidates with exceptional and outstanding achievements in a Tier One sector, being Critical Technologies, Health Industries and Renewables and Low Emission Technologies.
- Priority 4: Candidates with exceptional and outstanding achievements in a Tier Two sector, being Agri-food and AgTech, Defence Capabilities and Space Education, Financial Services and FinTech, Infrastructure and Transport Resources.
Eligibility
National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858)
The National Innovation Visa (NIV) allows highly talented individuals to live and work in Australia permanently. General eligibility requirements are set out on this page, but you can refer to more detailed checklist here.
Visa eligibility
The applicant must:
- Be invited to apply for the visa through a successful expression of interest (EOI), and apply within 60 days of invitation)
- Have an “internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement” in either:
- A profession;
- A sport;
- The arts; or
- Academia or Research.
- still be prominent in the area;
- demonstrate that they are an asset to the Australian community;
- evidence that they would have no difficulty in obtaining employment (or being established independently) in the area;
- be nominated by an Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen or Australian organisation who has a national reputation;
- be under the age of 55, or if over, be able to demonstrate an “exceptional benefit” to the Australian community
- demonstrate a “functional” level of English; and
- satisfy health and character requirements.
Documents
National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858)
There are several steps in applying for a National Innovation Visa (NIV) (Subclass 858), which include: submitting an Expression of Interest with the Department and, if successful and issued an invitation to apply for the visa, checking the validity of your passport, demonstrating an appropriate level of English, obtaining references letters, or police clearances.
You may wish to see advice and assistance from a qualified Immigration Lawyer.
EOI documents
- your passport biodata page
- CV (up to date)
- evidence of your highest qualification, such as degree certificate or transcripts; and
- if nominated by an expert Australian Commonwealth State/Territory agency – a completed Form 1000, nominated by an Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen or Australian organisation who has a national reputation.
Visa documents
For the visa stage, you will need to provide the documents submitted during the EOI stage, as well as:
- evidence of relationship to family members included in your application (such as birth certificates and marriage certificates)
- nominators passport/citizenship certificate (if an individual) or ABN/ASIC Extract (if company)
- evidence of nominator’s reputation (i.e. online links or statement)
- evidence of “Top of Field” level award
- evidence of your earnings, such as employment contracts, tax returns or payslips
- evidence of your research, such as published articles, research grants or reference letters
- evidence of any awards/media coverage, such as industry awards, articles about your achievements or guest speaker invitations
- evidence you have a “functional” level of English (or pay a second visa application charge)
- police clearances from any country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years
- registration, licensing and professional membership certificate (as relevant)
Process
National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858)
Unlike many visas to Australia, you cannot apply for the NIV directly. There is a particular process which must be followed, including applying for an expression of interest (EOI) and subsequently being invited to apply for the visa.
Gathering the documents
The first step is preparing all the documentation required for the application to ensure that the Department of Home Affairs (Department) has all the information available to correctly assess your eligibility for the National Innovation Visa (NIV) (Subclass 858) visa (see documents tab).
All documents relevant to your NIV visa are uploaded online (scanned or photographed). Ensure all non-English documentation are translated into English.
Submitting an EOI
You will need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the NIV via the Department’s EOI form. The EOI is free to submit and is not considered a visa application.
Your EOI would remain in the system for two years, and the Department will invite candidates based on their set priority order.
Applying for the visa
After receiving an invitation, the next step is to apply for the NIV application online via ImmiAccount, a portal managed by the Department. You will need to:
- Log-in or create an ImmiAccount on the Department’s website
- Complete the visa application form
- Attach relevant documents
- Pay the visa application charges and lodge the application.
Ensure that all family members accompanying the main visa applicant are also added to your visa application.
After application
The Department will send an acknowledgement letter once your application has been received.
The standard processing times for the NIV as at December 2024 is that:
- 50% are processed in 8 months; and
- 90% are processed in 10 months.
This is subject to change, and the current processing times published by the Department.
No updates on the application will be provided during the standard processing time. If more information is required, this will be requested via email. You can read more about what to expect after your visa is lodged at our blog.
Do not travel to Australia until the outcome of your visa application is received and you have been granted the visa (or you otherwise obtain another visa).
Be sure to advise the Department if there are any mistakes on your application, or if your personal circumstances change after you have applied.
Visa outcome
The Department will advise you of the outcome of your NIV application in writing, which confers permanent residency. If your visa application is successful, you will be provided a PDF grant letter, which advises of:
- your visa grant number
- the date your visa starts and ends
- applicable visa conditions.
This visa is electronically linked to your passport, so you would not need a visa label or to attend any Embassy/Consulates. Retain an electronic copy of this grant letter for when you arrive, and whilst you live in Australia.
After residing in Australia for certain periods of time, you may be eligible for Australian citizenship.
National Innovation Visas
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for the National Innovation visa?
To be eligible to lodge (apply for) a National Innovation visa you must be formally invited by the Department.
Candidates can first submit an Expression of Interest through the Department’s website.
Once invited, you can lodge the visa application and/or additional documents via ImmiAccount.
How long will it take to receive an outcome on my Expression of Interest?
As the NIV program has just commenced, this is currently uncertain.
How long will my Expression of Interest be valid for upon invitation?
An invitation is usually valid for 60 days. However, the Department encourages you to proceed with lodging an application via ImmiAccount, as soon as possible.
Does submitting an EOI give me a Bridging Visa?
No – the EOI is not an application for a visa, so does not confer a Bridging Visa. If your current substantive visa is expiring and you want to stay in Australia, you would need to seek another visa.
Who can be a nominator for the National Innovation visa?
In order to apply for a National Innovation visa you must be nominated by an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, an eligible New Zealand citizen, or an Australian organisation with a national reputation in the same field as you.
The nominator needs to attest to your achievements and international standing and is not required to provide you with employment or assist you to become established in Australia.
Note that you cannot change your nominator once you have lodged your visa application.
Can I commence work before my visa application is approved?
Unless you have an existing visa with appropriate work authorisation, you must not commence work with your employer until your NIV is approved.
Can I include my family?
Yes, you can include anybody who is a “Member of the Family Unit”, which generally includes your spouse/de facto partner, and certain children in your visa application.
There are specific requirements for children over the age of 18 to demonstrate dependency. Children 23 years or above cannot be included except in very limited circumstances.
You cannot include parents or siblings in your visa application, even if they are dependent on you. Applicants under 18 years of age have a special exemption to be able to include parents.
I have a dependent partner, can they work?
Yes, if granted, you and your partner will be permanent residents and have full work authorisation in Australia. This means they can work for any employer in any capacity.
Can my children study?
Yes. However, different States / Territories in Australia have different requirements and fees may be applicable. We strongly recommend that you explore this with the education provider directly.
Should I just book my health examinations and obtain police clearances?
The Department have appointed particular panel doctors who are authorised to conduct health examinations for Australian visa purposes.
If the health examinations are not carried out by these individuals, they will need to be redone.
The Department also require specific police clearances.
Please wait for instructions from your Hannan Tew advisor to ensure that you don’t unnecessarily incur any costs or loss of time.
I need to do an English assessment for my National Innovation (Subclass 858) visa application, which one is appropriate?
If you do require an English assessment, you need to undertake one of the following:
- IELTS overall band score of at least 4.5 based on the 4 test components
- TOEFL iBT total score of at least 32 based on the 4 test components
- PTE Academic overall test score of at least 30 based on the 4 test components
- CAE overall test score of at least 147 based on the 4 test components
They are all considered equivalent, and the one most suitable for you is a matter of preference. To book the test, search for the respective test names on your preferred internet search engine followed by your location.
Can I access Medicare or other social security benefits as a National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858) holder?
Yes – National Innovation visa applicants and holders have access to Medicare. You can view more information on the Services Australia website.
Citizens of certain countries have access to Medicare under reciprocal arrangements with Australia.
Disclaimer
The information contained here is offered for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or give rise to an attorney-client relationship between you and our firm. The information: (i) must be regarded as a practical guide for general information and not a process guide for determining the specific immigration requirements of the countries covered, (ii) should not be a substitute for a more indepth analysis of applicable facts and circumstances conducted by competent professionals, and (iii) does not represent an opinion from Hannan Tew or any of its agents with regard to the laws of any of the jurisdictions concerned. The information does not guarantee the outcome or approval of any particular immigration application.
What can we do for you?
Our staff are well placed to assist with all issues in relation to the National Innovation Visa. We have assisted a significant amount of individuals in applying for the Global Talent visa before the replacement of the National Innovation Visa, and were at the forefront of that program since conception.
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