The National Innovation visa (NIV) (Subclass 858) is designed to attract high calibre talents including researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, athletes, and creatives.
The NIV will replace the Global Talent (Subclass 858) visa in providing a unique pathway for highly skilled individuals.
National Innovation (NIV) (Subclass 858) visa
The National Innovation visa is aimed at targeting “exceptionally talented migrants who will drive growth in sectors of national importance”.
The program is expected to be an “invite-only” program combining the two programs that it will replace, the “Business Innovation and Investor Program” and the Global Talent visa.
On 5 December 2024, the Australian Government announced that the National Innovation visa would replace the Global Talent (Subclass 858) visa on 6 December 2024. At this stage, the exact process/procedure around this has yet to be released.
What can we expect from the National Innovation visa?
Our expectation at this time is that this visa will confer immediate permanent residence and have criteria that predominantly mirrors that of the Global Talent visa.
The program will aim to attract high calibre talent such as:
1) Global researchers and thought leaders;
2) Entrepreneurs
3) Innovative Investors (focused on quality of investments rather than thresholds)
4) Athletes/Creatives
1) Global researchers and thought leaders;
2) Entrepreneurs
3) Innovative Investors (focused on quality of investments rather than thresholds)
4) Athletes/Creatives
What is the Global Talent visa (and GTI program)?
The Global Talent (Subclass 858) visa offered permanent residency to individuals who amongst other things, could demonstrate an “internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement” in an eligible area.
Originally commencing as a visa to attract highly talented individuals in a profession, sport, arts, or academia/research, these candidates then fell under the “Distinguished Talent” stream, while a different stream was created.
The Global Talent Independent (GTI) program was officially launched on 4 November 2019 to provide a streamlined, priority pathway for highly skilled and talent individuals across 10 forward focused target sectors to obtain Australian permanent residency. This program was part of the “Global Talent” initiative that the Department rolled out to support innovation in Australia, and so applicants applied for the Global Talent visa after being invited to do so, under the GTI stream.
The GT visa will continue into the 2024/25 migration year, with 4,000 spots available. However, National Innovation visas granted in 2024/25 will be counted within this allocation.
The latest Global Talent
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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…
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The National Innovation Visa (Updated: 9 December 2024)
On 14 May 2024, the Australian Government released the Federal Budget for the 2024/25 year, which included a raft of Immigration-related measures (see here). Notably, it announced that a new National Innovation Visa (NIV) would be released in late-2024, to replace the Global Talent (Subclass 858) visa (see here) and the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP). On 6 December…
Global Talent Independent (GTI) program document checklist
On 29 November 2024, the Department closed the GTI program and are no longer accepting new Expressions of Interest (EOI). Interest applicants should review the criteria for the new National Innovation visa. The Global Talent Independent (GTI) program is a streamlined immigration pathway to attract highly skilled migrants to work and live permanently in Australia. The program targets specific, high…
