Researchers & academics
Publications · citations · international awards
Scientists and academics with a research record recognised well beyond their own institution — prizes, keynote invitations, editorial roles, patents.
Australian Global Talent Migration
National Innovation Visa 858The Elite Direct Path to PR
Subclass 858 · formerly the Global Talent visa
Australia's flagship visa for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional achievement. No points test, no employer sponsor, no age limit — permanent residency from the day of grant, by invitation only.
✓ Permanent from day one
✓ No points test
✓ No age limit
✓ Family included
From Global Talent to the National Innovation Visa
On 6 December 2024, the National Innovation Visa (subclass 858) replaced the Global Talent Independent program. The subclass number stayed the same, but the model changed: the Department of Home Affairs now runs an invitation-only program where you lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI), and only the strongest candidates in each priority tier are invited to apply. If you were researching the "Global Talent visa", this is that pathway today.
Entrepreneurs & innovators
Founders · funding rounds · critical technologies
Founders and technical leaders in critical technology sectors — AI, biotech, clean energy, fintech and advanced manufacturing sit at the top of the queue.
Executives, creatives & athletes
Top of profession · international standing
Senior specialists commanding top-of-market remuneration, and artists or sportspeople who have represented their field at the highest international level.
The three pillars of eligibility
The National Innovation Visa has no points table. Instead, the Department assesses three things — and all three must hold together as one coherent story.
Exceptional achievement
- An internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in your field
- Evidence: major awards, publications and citations, patents, media profile, senior roles, funding raised
- You must still be prominent — historic achievement alone is not enough
Benefit to Australia
- Your presence must be an asset to the Australian community
- You must show you could readily obtain work or become established in your field here
- Earnings above the Fair Work High Income Threshold ($190,100 from 1 July 2026) are strong supporting evidence, though not a formal requirement
A credible nominator
- An Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen or Australian organisation
- The nominator must have a national reputation in your field — their standing is assessed, not just their signature
- Nomination is lodged on Form 1000; choosing the right nominator is a strategic decision we work on with you
Also required: at least Functional English for you and family members over 18 (or payment of a second instalment), plus health and character. There is no age limit — but applicants under 18 or 55 and over must show exceptional benefit to the Australian community.
How invitations are prioritised
The Department of Home Affairs invites candidates in four priority tiers. Priority 1 and 2 candidates are invited as soon as they are identified; Priority 3 and 4 are considered in monthly rounds.
| Priority | Who it covers |
|---|---|
| Priority 1 | Global experts holding an international top-of-field award — any sector |
| Priority 2 | Candidates nominated on Form 1000 by an expert Commonwealth, State or Territory government agency |
| Priority 3 | Exceptional and outstanding achievement in a Tier One sector — critical technologies such as AI, biotech, clean energy and advanced manufacturing |
| Priority 4 | Exceptional and outstanding achievement in a Tier Two sector |
Honest numbers: in the January–March 2026 quarter the Department reported 1,815 EOIs and 146 invitations. This is a genuinely selective program — the EOI is not a form, it is a case. Building the evidence file and the sector narrative before lodging is where the invitation is won or lost, and it is exactly what we assess before recommending you proceed.
How the process works
Two stages: an Expression of Interest that competes for an invitation, then the visa application itself.
- Strategy & evidenceWe map your achievements against the priority tiers and identify the strongest nominator.
- Expression of InterestEOI lodged with your evidence portfolio and the Form 1000 nomination.
- InvitationIf invited, you have 60 days to lodge the visa application through ImmiAccount.
- GrantPermanent residency from the day of grant — full work rights, Medicare and the path to citizenship.
Our professional fees
Fixed fees, payable in two instalments. Consultation fees are credited towards our agreement if you engage us.
| Service | AUD (incl. GST) |
|---|---|
| Initial consultation & assessment — online | $190 |
| Face-to-face consultation — Melbourne or Adelaide | $290 |
| Expression of Interest & nomination (Form 1000) | [FEE] |
| Visa application — Subclass 858 | [FEE] |
Professional fees only. Government Visa Application Charges, English tests, health checks and police clearances are additional — current government charges are confirmed in your consultation and on the Department of Home Affairs website. See our full fee schedule.
Government costs & timing
Figures below apply from 1 July 2026.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa Application Charge — primary applicant | $6,235 |
| Family members | Additional charges apply per person; a second instalment applies for adult family members without Functional English |
| EOI lodgement | No government charge |
| Invitation window | 60 days to lodge the visa application after invitation |
There is no published timeframe for receiving an invitation — it depends on your priority tier and the strength of the case. Processing after lodgement varies by priority and changes monthly; current published times are confirmed in your consultation and on the Department of Home Affairs website. You can calculate the exact charge for your own family composition with the official Visa Pricing Estimator.
Frequently asked questions
Is the National Innovation Visa the same as the Global Talent visa?
It is the replacement. On 6 December 2024 the National Innovation Visa took over subclass 858 from the Global Talent Independent program. The core idea is the same — permanent residency for exceptional talent — but the program is now strictly invitation-only through an Expression of Interest, with a four-tier priority system.
Do I need to be famous to get the 858?
No — but you need to be internationally recognised in your field. The test is an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement: major awards, cited research, patents, funding raised, senior appointments or top-of-market remuneration. Being excellent at your job is not enough on its own; the recognition must extend beyond your employer.
Who can be my nominator?
An Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen, or an Australian organisation — and critically, they must have a national reputation in the same field as you. The Department assesses the nominator's standing, so choosing the right nominator is a strategic decision, not a formality. The nomination is lodged on Form 1000.
Is there an age limit for the National Innovation Visa?
No, there is no age limit. However, applicants under 18 or aged 55 and over must demonstrate they would be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community, which raises the evidentiary bar. Unlike the points-tested skilled visas, being over 45 does not exclude you.
What are my realistic chances of an invitation?
The program is genuinely selective: in the January–March 2026 quarter, the Department of Home Affairs reported 1,815 Expressions of Interest and 146 invitations. Strong cases in Priority 1 and 2 are invited as soon as they are identified, while Priority 3 and 4 candidates compete in monthly rounds. This is why we honestly assess your tier before recommending you lodge.
Do I need a job offer or an employer sponsor?
No. The National Innovation Visa has no employer sponsorship requirement — your nominator vouches for your standing but does not employ or sponsor you. You do need to show you could readily obtain work or become established in your field in Australia, and earnings above the Fair Work High Income Threshold ($190,100 from 1 July 2026) are strong supporting evidence.
How long does the whole process take?
There is no published timeframe for the invitation stage — it depends entirely on your priority tier and the strength of the case. Once invited, you have 60 days to lodge the visa application, and processing after lodgement varies by priority. We plan the evidence file first, because a well-built EOI is what shortens everything downstream.
Think your track record might qualify?
Send us your CV and headline achievements — we will tell you honestly which priority tier you would sit in, whether an EOI is worth lodging now, and what would strengthen the case if it is not.
The information on this page is general in nature and does not take your personal circumstances into account. It is not migration advice. Sam Lotfollahi · Registered Migration Agent · MARN 0901704 — verify on the OMARA register.