The National Innovation (Subclass 858) visa is a niche pathway to attract highly skilled migrants to work and live permanently in Australia.
The visa targets individuals who have an “internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement” in either a profession, a sport, the arts, or academia and research. You can read more detailed information about this program in an earlier blog here.
What are the stages of the National Innovation visa?
There are two stages to the National Innovation (Subclass 858) visa. This includes the:
- Expression of Interest (EOI), where the applicant must demonstrate how they satisfy one of the four priority sectors and need to be invited; and
- Visa – following receiving an invitation, an applicant must demonstrate that they meet the eligibility requirements and pay the relevant government lodgement fees.
What are the eligibility requirements of the National Innovation visa?
Broadly speaking, you are eligible for the National Innovation visa if you:
- have an “internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement”;
- are still prominent in the area;
- would be an asset to the Australian community;
- demonstrate that you’d have no difficulty in obtaining employment (or being established independently) in the area; and
- are nominated by an Australian individual or organisation with a “national reputation” in the same area as you.
What documents are required for the National Innovation EOI?
The EOI for the National Innovation (Subclass 858) visa only requests very specific documents. They are:
| Evidence required |
Document types |
| Identity |
|
|
Evidence of Qualifications |
|
|
CV |
|
|
Nomination by expert Australian Commonwealth, State or Territory Government agency (if applicable) |
|
What documents are required for the National Innovation visa application?
If you are invited to apply for the National Innovation (Subclass 858) visa, you will receive a unique identifying number to be used in the subsequent visa application form.
The specific documents required for the 858 visa application will depend on the unique circumstances of the visa applicant and their family members, however a general guide to the documents required is outlined in the tables below in terms of evidencing achievements, and otherwise more broadly for the visa criteria.
|
Evidence required |
Document types |
| Evidence of “Top of Field” level Award |
|
| Evidence of Earnings |
|
|
Evidence of Research (if applicable) |
|
|
Evidence of media / awards |
|
| Nominator |
|
Document required |
Primary applicant |
Secondary applicants |
|
Passport and other identity documents (e.g., national identity card, change of name documents) |
✔ | ✔ |
|
Evidence of relationship to primary applicant (e.g., marriage certificate or birth certificate) |
✖ | ✔ |
|
Police clearances from every country you have spent 12 months or more in the past 10 years (since turning 16 years of age) |
✔ | ✔ |
|
Evidence of functional English |
✔ | ✔
(for applicants aged 18 years and older) |
|
Health examinations |
✔ | ✔ |
The above is a general checklist, meaning further information may be required. Notably, additional documents will be required you are seeking to rely on an English exemption.
What are the processing times?
Processing times for the GTI EOI application can vary (ranging from less than a month to over 1 year). To improve your processing times, you should try and submit a complete application.
Processing times for the GTI visa is generally within 1-2 months from lodgement. For the latest updates on processing times, you should refer to the Department’s website here.
Who can be included in the National Innovation (Subclass 858) visa application?
An applicant for a National Innovation (Subclass 858) visa can include “Members of the family unit” in the application. You can read more about exactly what this is here, which broadly includes a spouse or de facto partner, dependent children under 18 years of age, and dependent children over 18 years of age in certain circumstances.
There are also visa-specific provisions that allow National Innovation primary applicants under the age of 18 to include their parents.
How much does it cost?
The government lodgement fees for this application are:
Primary ApplicantEssential
$ 4,840
exc surcharges>18 dependent
$ 2,425
exc surcharges< 18 dependent
$ 1,210
exc surchargesOver-18 dependent applicants who do not have “functional English” also have to pay an additional $4,890 when the visa is ready to be granted.
Do you require further assistance?
Hannan Tew Lawyers have been at the forefront of the former Global Talent and Distinguished Talent visa program (with which the National Innovation visa closely mirrors). We have been interviewed by various media outlets including ITnews, and SBS regarding our insights and views on the GTI program, and on our thoughts on Australian immigration more broadly which can be read here.
With significant experience advising the tech and start-up industries in Australia, we have the knowledge and experience to understand your profile and convey the importance of your research, experience and skill sets to the Department to improve your prospects of receiving an invitation and/or the visa itself.
Please feel free to contact us by email at [email protected] or phone +61 3 9016 0484 if you have further comments or queries or would like some guidance. Alternatively please keep up to date with the latest immigration news by subscribing to our newsletter here.
