What Happened to Australia's Investment and Talent Visas? Discover the New National Innovation Visa

Recognizing the limitations of its previous immigration pathways, the Australian government streamlined its approach by consolidating the Global Talent Visa and the Business Innovation and Investment Visa into the singular National Innovation Visa (NIV). This strategic move aimed to create a more agile and responsive system for attracting exceptional talent, fostering a dynamic innovation ecosystem, and ultimately accelerating Australia’s economic growth.

The National Innovation Visa focuses on attracting individuals with exceptional talent and achievements across various sectors.Putting a stronger emphasis on people who can bring new ideas and skills to Australia, thereby boosting the country’s economy and innovation. 

What is a National Innovation Visa

The National Innovation Visa is designed to provide a pathway to permanent residency in Australia for individuals with exceptional talent and achievements. Replacing the Global Talent Visa and the Business Innovation and Investment Visa, it targets professionals, athletes, artists, and researchers who have internationally recognized records of outstanding accomplishments. Eligible applicants must receive an invitation to apply and secure sponsorship from a qualified sponsor. This visa allows recipients to work, study, and sponsor relatives and potentially apply for Australian citizenship, making it an ideal pathway for talented individuals seeking to settle and innovate in Australia.

Eligibility Criteria for the National Innovation Visa

You can apply for this visa only if you receive an invitation from the Australian government. 

To apply for the National Innovation Visa, you must have an internationally recognized record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in business, sports or research. This means you are superior in your field, acclaimed as exceptional worldwide, and have a sustained record of achievements. Your area of expertise must also be recognized and accepted in Australia with international standing.

Below are the other eligibility requirements you must meet.

Age Requirements for National Innovation Visa

You can apply for this visa at any age. If you are under 18 or over 55, you must demonstrate an exceptional and ongoing benefit to the Australian community, such as contributing significantly to the economy, creating jobs, driving research and innovation, or enhancing Australia’s global standards in important areas.

Visa Application Requirements for Applicants Inside and Outside Australia

• If you’re outside Australia: You can apply for this visa without needing any specific visa.
• If you’re in Australia: You must hold one of these visas:
  • A substantive visa
  • Bridging Visa A (BVA – subclass 010)
  • Bridging Visa B (BVB – subclass 020)
  • Bridging Visa C (BVC – subclass 030)
• Additional requirement: If you currently hold or last held a Skilled Work Regional (491) or Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (494) visa, you must have held it for at least 3 years before applying.

Visa Nomination

To apply for the National Innovation Visa, you must be nominated by an eligible nominator and provide a completed Nomination for National Innovation visa (Form 1000) at the time of application.

Your nominator must have a national reputation in the same area as you and can be:

• An Australian citizen
• An Australian permanent resident
• An eligible New Zealand citizen
• An Australian organization

In addition to having an internationally recognized record of exceptional achievement, candidates for the National Innovation Visa must meet other basic eligibility requirements such as having functional English, meeting health and character requirements, and not having had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused, etc.

How the Australian Government Will Assess You If You Are Eligible for the National Innovation Visa

When applying for the National Innovation Visa, the Australian government will assess your eligibility based on your achievements and contributions to your field. To prove that you meet the criteria, you need to provide substantial evidence of your exceptional accomplishments. Below is a structured overview of the key criteria the government will use to evaluate your eligibility:

Outstanding Achievements in Your Area of Expertise

• Prestigious Awards and Prizes: Recognition from internationally respected organizations. Examples include:
  • Nobel Prize
  • Breakthrough Prizes
  • L’Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science
  • Turing Award
  • ACM Prize in Computing
• Top-Level Sports or Arts Awards: High-level honors such as:
  • Olympic Gold Medal
  • Pulitzer Prize
  • Booker Prize
  • Laureus World Sportsman/Sportswoman of the Year
• Research and Academic Achievements:
  • National research grants in Australia or equivalent international grants.
  • Research-based PhD from a prestigious global university.
  • Publications in leading journals with a high citation index (h-index).
  • Keynote appearances at high-profile international conferences.
• Innovation and Industry Recognition:
  • International patents for groundbreaking technological advancements.
  • Proven track record of supporting successful innovative ventures.
  • Leadership roles in internationally reputed companies, including leading firms through an Initial Public Offering (IPO).
  • Success in major national or international sporting events.
  • Sustained excellence in the arts, including high-profile works, honors, and accolades.
• Earnings and Employment:
  • Proof of earnings at or above the Fair Work High Income Threshold in your area of expertise.
  • Employment offers or current work with leading organizations.
• Professional Recognition:
  • High-level academic or research positions, such as Academic Level D or E professors.
  • Memberships in industry advisory boards or committees.
  • Supporting statements from government, professional bodies, scientific organizations, or cultural institutions.
  • Media coverage of your achievements on an international scale.

The government will also assess if your achievements have had recent significance. This means you need to show that your work is still relevant and has a high profile in your area of expertise.

Other Documents Needed for Your Visa Application

Here’s a list of the documents you need to include with your visa application:

• Identity Documents:
  • Current passport showing your photo, personal details, and passport issue and expiry dates.
  • National identity card (if applicable).
  • Proof of any name changes (e.g., marriage certificate, divorce certificate, change of name documents).
• Relationship Documents:
  • Divorce documents, death certificates, or separation documents if applicable.
  • Explanation if you are not including your partner or dependent children in your application.
• Record of Achievement Documents:
  • Evidence of exceptional achievements in your field 
  • If under 18 or over 55, provide evidence of your exceptional benefit to Australia (e.g., employment offer, business plan, grants, or professional plans).
• Nominator Documents:
  • Completed Nomination for National Innovation visa (Form 1000).
  • Proof that your nominator has a national reputation in the same area as you.
  • If your nominator is an individual, proof of Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or eligible New Zealand citizenship.
  • If your nominator is an organisation, proof that the signatory of Form 1000 is authorised to represent the organisation.
• Ability to Establish Yourself in Australia:
  • A statement detailing your knowledge of opportunities in Australia.
  • Letters from Australian organisations showing future employment or business opportunities.
  • Proof of previous experience in Australia (e.g., employment or business background).
• Character Documents:
  • Police certificates from Australia and any other countries where you’ve lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
  • Military service records if applicable.
  • Form 80 (Personal particulars for assessment including character assessment) and Form 1221 (Additional personal particulars).
• Functional English Documents:
  • Proof of functional English for applicants aged 18 or older.
  • If you do not have functional English, include a statement about the intention to pay the second visa application charge.
• Partner Documents:
  • Identity documents and photos of your partner.
  • Marriage certificate (if applicable).
  • Evidence of a genuine relationship (e.g., joint bank accounts, shared leases, or living at the same address).
• Dependent Children Documents (under 18):
  • Copies of birth certificates or adoption papers for dependent children.
  • Parental consent for children under 18 to migrate to Australia (Form 1229 or statutory declaration).
• Dependent Children Documents (over 18):
  • Proof of dependency (e.g., medical reports, financial support evidence, birth or adoption certificates).
  • Form 47a (Details of a child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over).
• Proof of Dependency:
  • For children over 18, include evidence of dependency (e.g., medical reports, proof of financial support, or a report from a qualified medical practitioner).
• Nominee Assistance:
  • Form 956A (Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient) if nominating someone to receive your correspondence.
  • Form 956 (Appointment of a registered migration agent) if using an agent for assistance.

Get Help from a MARA Agent with your Document preparation and Application

Benefits of the National Innovation Visa

The Subclass 858 visa offers a direct pathway to permanent residency, providing greater certainty and stability for successful applicants.

• Become a permanent resident of Australa 
• You can work and study in Australia freely.
• You can access Australia’s public healthcare system (Medicare).
• You can bring your family members to Australia.
• You can travel to and from Australia for five years.
• You may become an Australian citizen after meeting the necessary requirements.

Fees and Other Details

The visa costs start from AUD 4,840.00 ( As of January 2025, this may be subject to change in the future.). You can travel to and from Australia for 5 years from the date the visa is granted. After 5 years, to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident, you will need a Resident Return (RRV) visa (subclass 155 or 157).