National Innovation Visa

NIV Started on 7 December 2024!

The National Innovation visa officially started on 7 December 2024, and is a Visa for Permanent residence of Australia, which is focused on attracting exceptionally talent migrants worldwide. Contact our Migration Agents now for an initial NIV Visa eligibility Assessment!

The National Innovation Visa replaced the Global Talent Independent program (GTI), Subclass 858 Visa, which was introduced in 2019, and closed on 6 December 2024, which had been attracting highlly-skilled professionals working in future-focused target sectors.

NIV Seeks High Calibre Applicants

The National Innovation Visa targets the following high calibre applicants who can make significant contributions that will be of significant benefit to Australia's economic prosperity:

• Global Researchers
• Entrepreneurs
• Innovative Investors
• Athletes and Creatives

Expression of Interest (EOI)

To apply for the National Innovation Visa, you must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), with information regarding your Exceptional Talent, including major achievements, qualifications, resume and Recommendations. In addition, your supporting documents should be uploaded to the EOI to prove your Innovation and Research capabilities.

Invitations Based on Priority Order

The following is the Priority Order in terms of your EOI receiving an Invitation to apply for the Subclass 858, National Innovation Visa: 

Priority One - Exceptional candidates from any sector who are global experts and recipients of international ‘top of field’ level awards, including: Nobel prize, Pullitzer prize, Rousseeuw prioze and Gold medal Olympic Athletes.

Priority Two - Applicants from any sector nominated on the approved 1000 Nomination Form, by an expert Australian Commonwealth, State or Territory Government agency.

Priority Three - Applicants with exceptional and outstanding achievements in a Tier One sector:

• Critical Technologies
• Health Industries
• Renewables and Low Emission Technologies

Priority Four - Applicants with exceptional and outstanding achievements in a Tier Two sector:

• Agri-food and AgTech
• Defence Capabilities and Space
• Education
• Financial Services and FinTech
• Infrastructure and Transport
• Resources

Critical Technologies - Tier One Priority Sector

Critical Technologies includes potentially transformative enabling technology, with the following specialisations:

• Advanced information and communication technology
• Advanced manufacturing and materials technology
• Artificial intelligence technology
• Autonomous systems
• Biotechnology
• Clean energy generation and storage technology
• Cyber security technology
• Quantum technology
• Photonics
• Robotics
• Positioning, timing and sensing technology

Renewables and Low Emission Techniologies - Tier One Priority Sector

This sector includes Renewables and Low-Emission Technoogies, in the following specialisations:

• Bio-methane production
• Circular economy innovations
• Clean energy technology
• Emission reduction and carbon storage
• Green metals
• Low-carbon liquid fuels
• Processing and refining of critical minerals
• Renewable energy generation
• Transmission, distribution or storage
• Renewable hydrogen
• Waste to Energy (WtE) technology.

Innovation in Medical Manufacturing - Tier One Priority Sector

This Innovation in Medical Manufacturing sector includes the following specialisations:

• Antimicrobial resistance
• Artificial intelligence in health
• Biochemistry and cell biology
• Biotechnology
• Genomics
• Emerging health threats and emergencies
• Health economics
• Implantable and wearable devices
• Infectious disease prevention
• Pharmaceuticals and precision medicine
• Medical science manufacturing for therapeutic products.

Nomination

Applicants who have exceptional and outstanding talent can possibly get Nomination by a specialised Commonwealth or State/Territory Government Agency, under Priority Two including:

• Athletes and creatives who will increse Australia’s international standing in their field
• Evidence of innovative investment activity with a proven track record of supporting successful innovative ventures
• Evidence of promising entrepreneurial activities that will lead to the commercialisation of a product or service in Australia, particularly where linked to Commonwealth, State or Territory based innovation hubs.
• Recognised intellectual property attributed to the Applicant, for example holding relevant international patents.

Office Address and Telephone - VisaConnect Australia

Contact VisaConnect's Consultants at our Sydney, NSW, Australia office below:

VisaConnect Sydney
Suite 19, 103 George Street
Parramatta
NSW 2150
Australia

Telephone: (+61) 2 9151 7350

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the processing time for an NIV EOI?

The Expression of Interest (EOI) submitted for the National Innovation Visa is expected to be processed within 1 - 2 months.

What is the processing time for the Subclass 858 Visa?

As at January 2025, the NIV 858 Visa processing time is approximately 8 - 11 months.

Do I need to undergo Medicals and need a Character certificate?

Yes, you will need to undergo a comprehensive set of Medicals and a Chest x-ray, as well as provide Police Character certificates for every country that you have lived in for 12 months or more, during the last 10 years.

Does the Immigration Department need my original documents?

No, all original documents should be scanned, with a high quality colour scan, and saved as separate pdf files.

In what areas, should the Applicant have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement?

In the following areas: 1. A Profession. 2. A Sport. 3. the Arts. 4. Academia and Research.