The National Innovation visa (subclass 858) is a permanent Australian visa for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement. You cannot apply directly: you must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), wait for an invitation from the Department of Home Affairs, and then lodge your visa application within 60 days. The base visa charge starts from AUD 6,235 for the main applicant.
Maybe you are a researcher, an artist, an athlete or a leader in your profession. You want to move to Australia for good, but you do not have an employer to sponsor you and you do not want a points test.
The 858 visa could fit you. But it is highly selective, and a weak EOI can waste months. This guide explains the whole process in plain words, from the EOI to the visa grant.
In This Guide
What Is the National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858)?
The National Innovation visa, also called the NIV or the 858 visa, is a permanent visa. It is made for exceptionally talented people from across the world.
The Australian Government wants leaders who can create jobs and lift productivity in key sectors. It looks for both established and emerging talent.
You do not need an employer sponsor. You do not need a points score. But you do need strong proof of achievement and an invitation.
858 Visa at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Permanent |
| How you get in | Submit an EOI, then wait for an invitation |
| Time to lodge after invitation | 60 days |
| EOI validity | 2 years |
| Base visa charge | From AUD 6,235 for the main applicant |
| Second instalment charge | AUD 4,890, only for applicants aged 18+ with less than functional English, and only when Home Affairs asks |
| Nominator | Required, using Form 1000 |
| Travel facility | 5 years from the grant date |
| Processing order | Set by Ministerial Direction 120 |
The costs above match the Home Affairs visa page at the time of writing. Check the Visa Pricing Estimator before you lodge.
National Innovation Visa vs the Old Global Talent Visa
Many people still search for the “858 Global Talent visa”. Here is what changed.
The National Innovation visa replaced the Global Talent visa in December 2024. It kept the same subclass number, 858. The core test, an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement, stayed very similar.
| Feature | Old Global Talent visa | National Innovation visa |
|---|---|---|
| Subclass | 858 | 858 |
| How to start | Earlier rules allowed a more direct route | EOI first, then invitation |
| Can you lodge without an invitation? | No longer for new applicants | No |
| Processing order | Earlier ministerial directions | Ministerial Direction 120 |
If you are a new applicant today, the National Innovation pathway is the one that applies to you.
Who Is the National Innovation Visa For?
The visa is for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in one of these areas:
- A profession
- A sport
- The arts
- Academia and research
In simple words, you must stand out from others in your field. You should be respected as exceptional in any country where your area is practised.
You do not need to be a household name. But your record must be strong, well proven and likely to last.
National Innovation Visa EOI Australia: How the Expression of Interest Works
The EOI is the first step. It is how you ask Home Affairs to consider you for an invitation.
Here are the key facts:
- An EOI is not a visa application
- Submitting an EOI does not guarantee an invitation
- Your EOI stays active for 2 years, and it expires if you are not invited in that time
- The Department does not give updates on how your EOI is going
- Information cannot be added after you submit, so treat it as a final document
- Do not lodge a second EOI while one is pending, unless your claims have changed in a major way
If you are invited, you will get an email with a unique reference and an invitation code. The invitation also lists the achievements that formed the basis of your invitation.
Think of the EOI as your one strong first impression. Prepare it carefully and make every claim easy to prove.
858 Visa Eligibility Requirements
Once invited, you must meet all the visa criteria. Home Affairs lists these main ones.
1. Be Invited and Lodge on Time
You must be invited to apply and lodge your visa application within 60 days of the invitation. If you miss the window, you must submit a new EOI.
2. Have an Internationally Recognised Record of Exceptional and Outstanding Achievement
This must be in a profession, sport, the arts or academia and research. It means you:
- Have superior abilities and achievements compared with others in your area
- Are acclaimed as exceptional in any country where your area is practised
- Have a record of sustained achievement unlikely to fade in the near future
Your area must also be recognised and accepted in Australia and have international standing.
3. Be an Asset to the Australian Community
Your contribution may be economic, social or cultural. It may also raise Australia’s academic, artistic or sporting standing around the world. You must contribute to the nation as a whole.
4. Show You Can Establish Yourself in Australia
You must show you would find work, or become independently established in your area of expertise, without difficulty.
5. Meet Health and Character Requirements
You and any family members who apply with you must meet the health requirement. You and family members aged 16 or older must meet the character requirement. Family members who are not coming with you may also need to meet these.
6. Have No Debt to the Australian Government
You and your family members, including those not applying, must not owe the Australian Government money. Pay any debt or arrange repayment before the visa can be granted.
7. Sign the Australian Values Statement
If you are 18 or older, you must read, or have explained to you, the Life in Australia booklet. You must also confirm you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws.
8. Have a Clean Immigration History
Home Affairs considers your immigration history. A past visa cancellation or refusal may affect your chances. In some cases you may still apply for a permanent visa, so get advice if this applies to you.
The Nominator and Form 1000
A nominator backs your claims. This person or group attests to your achievements.
Your nominator must have a national reputation in the same area as you. They must be one of these:
- An Australian citizen
- An Australian permanent resident
- An eligible New Zealand citizen
- An Australian organisation
They complete the Nomination for National Innovation visa (Form 1000) and must sign it. You must answer all relevant questions on the form and follow its instructions.
Your nominator’s Form 1000 must be submitted with your visa application within the 60-day window. So find your nominator early. Do not wait until you are invited.
Age Rules for the 858 Visa
There is no age limit. You can apply at any age.
But if you are under 18, or 55 or older when you apply, you must show you will be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community. That benefit should be ongoing, sustained and realised shortly after you migrate.
It might include:
- Making exceptional contributions to the Australian economy
- Creating jobs for many Australian residents
- Driving research, development and innovation in sectors of national importance
- Improving Australia’s global standard in an important area
Where You Can Apply From
You can apply from inside or outside Australia. But you must not be in immigration clearance when you apply, and when the visa is decided.
If you apply from outside Australia, you do not need to hold any specific visa.
If you apply from inside Australia, you must hold one of these:
- A substantive visa
- Bridging visa A (subclass 010)
- Bridging visa B (subclass 020)
- Bridging visa C (subclass 030)
There is one more rule. If you hold, or your last substantive visa was, a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) or a Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494), you must have held it for at least 3 years when you apply.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Check You Fit the Profile
Compare your record with the criteria above. Be honest about gaps.
Step 2: Build Your Evidence
Collect awards, publications, media coverage, grants, performance records, leadership roles and strong references. Show international recognition, not just local success.
Step 3: Submit Your EOI
Submit your Expression of Interest to Home Affairs. Remember you cannot add information later.
Step 4: Find Your Nominator
Start talking to possible nominators early. Make sure they have a national reputation in your area.
Step 5: Wait for an Invitation
Invitations are issued based on the National Innovation visa priorities. Your EOI stays active for 2 years.
Step 6: Lodge Your Visa Application
After you are invited, use your reference and invitation code. Lodge your application with Form 1000 within 60 days.
Step 7: Complete Health and Character Checks
Do medicals, biometrics and police certificates when asked. Include your family members properly.
Step 8: Pay Any Second Instalment Charge
Pay it only when Home Affairs asks. It is requested only if the visa is going to be granted.
National Innovation Visa Cost
The base charge for the main applicant starts from AUD 6,235. Concessions apply in limited cases.
There is also a charge for each family member who applies with you.
You may also pay a second instalment charge of AUD 4,890 for any applicant aged 18 or older who has less than functional English. You pay it only when Home Affairs asks, and it is requested only if a grant is likely.
Use the Visa Pricing Estimator for your exact total. It does not include the second instalment or other costs such as health checks, police certificates and biometrics.
Lower Cost for Pacific Island and Timor-Leste Citizens
From 1 July 2026, a lower visa charge applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens who lodge a valid application. Family members are also eligible for the lower charge, based on the primary applicant’s passport.
The primary applicant must hold a valid passport from one of these countries:
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Nauru
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Timor-Leste
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
Home Affairs applies the lower charge in ImmiAccount during the application, based on your passport.
858 Visa Processing Time and Ministerial Direction 120
There is no fixed processing time for the 858. The overall timeline also includes the time you wait to be invited, which is not fixed either.
For an indication, use the official visa processing time guide tool. It shows recently decided applications, but it is only a guide and is not specific to your case.
Home Affairs assesses each application case by case. Your time can change because of:
- Whether you lodged a complete application with all supporting documents
- How quickly you answer requests for more information
- How long checks on your documents take
- How long it takes to get information from outside agencies for health, character and national security checks
- How many places are available in the migration program
- How your application fits the order of consideration in Ministerial Direction 120
Ministerial Direction 120 sets the processing order for National Innovation visa applications. It also lists indicators of exceptional and outstanding achievement. It decides who is handled first. It does not grant a visa by itself, and you must still meet every requirement.
Including Your Family
You may include members of your family unit when you apply. You can also add family members at any time before a decision is made.
If you are under 18, you can only include your parents and members of the family unit of that parent.
All family members who apply must meet health and character requirements, even if they are not travelling with you. If you leave your partner or dependent children off your application, you must explain why.
What Can You Do on the 858 Visa?
This visa lets you:
- Stay in Australia permanently
- Work and study in Australia
- Enrol in Medicare
- Sponsor your relatives to come to Australia
- Travel to and from Australia for 5 years
- Apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible
You become a permanent resident on the day the visa is granted. For citizenship purposes, your permanent residence starts when the visa is granted if you are in Australia, or when you enter Australia on the visa if you are outside Australia.
Newly arrived residents may need to wait before they can access certain Australian Government payments and benefits.
Obligations and Travel Rules
You and your family must obey all Australian laws. Home Affairs also expects you to contribute to Australia in your area of expertise.
You can travel to and from Australia for 5 years from the grant date. After that, you need a Resident Return visa (subclass 155 or 157) to re-enter as a permanent resident. You can check your date on VEVO.
Common National Innovation Visa Mistakes
Many strong candidates fall short because of avoidable errors:
- Rushing the EOI: you cannot add information once it is submitted
- Weak proof: claims without evidence carry little weight
- Local fame only: the visa needs international recognition
- Late nominator search: you only have 60 days after invitation
- Missing the 60-day window: you must start again with a new EOI
- Submitting repeat EOIs: do not lodge another while one is pending, unless your claims have changed a lot
- Leaving out family members: you must explain any omission
- Ignoring age rules: under 18 and 55+ need extra proof of exceptional benefit
- Ignoring debts or past refusals: deal with these before lodging
Do You Need a Migration Agent?
You can submit an EOI yourself. But this is a high-stakes visa. Your EOI is final once sent, and you only get a short window after an invitation.
A registered migration agent can review your evidence, shape your EOI and check your timing. This is especially helpful if:
- You are unsure which area your achievements fit
- You need help finding or briefing a nominator
- You are under 18 or 55 or older
- You have had a visa refused or cancelled
- You want to include family members
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the National Innovation visa (subclass 858)?
It is a permanent visa for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a profession, a sport, the arts, or academia and research. You must be invited to apply.
What is the 858 visa EOI?
An Expression of Interest is the first step. You submit it to ask Home Affairs to consider you for an invitation. It is not a visa application and does not guarantee an invitation.
How long is an EOI valid?
An EOI stays active for 2 years. If you are not invited in that time, it expires.
Can I apply for the National Innovation visa without an invitation?
No. You must be invited first, and then lodge your application within 60 days.
What happens if I miss the 60-day deadline?
You must submit a new EOI to be considered for another invitation.
How much does the National Innovation visa cost?
The base charge starts from AUD 6,235 for the main applicant. There is a charge for each family member, and a second instalment charge of AUD 4,890 may apply to applicants aged 18 or older with less than functional English. Check the Visa Pricing Estimator for your total.
Do I need a nominator?
Yes. A nominator with a national reputation in your area must complete Form 1000 and submit it with your visa application. Find one early.
Who can be a nominator?
An Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, an eligible New Zealand citizen or an Australian organisation, as long as they have a national reputation in the same area as you.
Is there an age limit for the 858 visa?
No. But if you are under 18 or 55 or older when you apply, you must show you will be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community.
Can I apply from inside Australia?
Yes. You can apply from inside or outside Australia, but you must not be in immigration clearance when you apply and when the visa is decided. If you are in Australia, you must hold a substantive visa or a Bridging visa A, B or C.
Can I include my family?
Yes. You may include members of your family unit, and you can add them at any time before a decision. They must meet health and character requirements.
How long does the National Innovation visa take?
There is no fixed time. Processing depends on your case and on Ministerial Direction 120, and the invitation wait is separate. Use the official processing time guide tool for an indication.
Can I become an Australian citizen after the 858 visa?
Yes, if you meet the citizenship rules. Your time as a permanent resident starts on the day the visa is granted if you are in Australia, or when you enter Australia on the visa if you are outside.
Conclusion: Start Your 858 Visa Journey the Right Way
The National Innovation visa is one of the most direct routes to permanent residence for exceptional talent. There is no employer sponsor and no points test. But it is invitation-only and highly selective.
Success depends on a strong EOI, an early nominator and clear, well-proven evidence. Know your deadlines, and do not skip the small details.
If you want expert help, speak with a trusted migration agent Australia professionals rely on. A registered agent can review your profile, plan your EOI and guide you through each step.
Ready to make your move? Talk to a qualified migration agent Australia applicants trust, and take the first step toward your National Innovation visa today.
Important: This article provides general information only. Visa requirements, charges and processing times change, and your eligibility depends on your individual circumstances. Always check the latest information on the official Department of Home Affairs website before you make a visa application. For advice about your situation, consider speaking with a registered migration agent or qualified legal professional.
