858 National Innovation Visa: Eligibility & Process

Overview

The Subclass 858 National Innovation visa is a permanent, invitation-only visa for individuals with an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement who will bring innovation and economic benefit to Australia. There is no points test; you submit an Expression of Interest, need a nominator of national reputation (or a government agency), and if invited must apply within 60 days. The 2026-27 Migration Program allocates 3,500 Talent and Innovation places, and since 25 July 2026 Ministerial Direction 120 ranks EOIs in five priority tiers, favouring Tier 1 sectors — critical technologies, renewables and low-emission technologies, and health industries. Between April and June 2026 the Department received 2,166 EOIs and issued 248 invitations.

The National Innovation visa is Australia’s premier pathway for globally recognised talent — permanent, invitation-only and not points-tested. It is highly selective: in the April–June 2026 quarter the Department received 2,166 Expressions of Interest and issued 248 invitations, and the 2026-27 program allocates 3,500 places. The strength and presentation of your evidence — recognition, impact and economic benefit — is everything.

Formerly known as the Global Talent visa; the 858 replaced it on 6 December 2024.

Who qualifies for the 858?

You need an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a profession, academia or research, a sport or the arts; to still be prominent in that field; to be an asset to Australia; and to show you would bring innovation and economic benefit. You must be under 55 when invited unless your achievement would be of exceptional benefit, and you need a nominator (Form 1000) with a national reputation in your field — or a nomination from an Australian Government or state/territory agency.

How are invitations prioritised since July 2026?

Ministerial Direction 120, in force from 25 July 2026, ranks EOIs in five tiers (table above). Priority 1 is reserved for holders of top-of-field international awards; Priority 2 for candidates nominated by a government agency; Priority 3 for exceptional achievers in Tier 1 sectors — critical technologies, renewables and low-emission technologies, and health industries; Priority 4 for Tier 2 sectors — agri-food and AgTech, defence capabilities and space, education, financial services and FinTech, infrastructure and transport, and resources; and Priority 5 for everyone else. In the April–June 2026 quarter, Tier 1 sectors took 192 of 248 invitations, and critical technologies alone 122.

What is the process and how long do you have?

Optionally lodge a Registration of Interest with a participating state or territory — a government nomination lifts you into Priority 2.
Submit the Expression of Interest with your nominator’s Form 1000 and evidence.
If invited, lodge the visa application within 60 days (the current fee is shown above; a second instalment applies to applicants without functional English).
Meet health and character requirements; the visa is permanent on grant.

Fees and processing times shown above are sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and displayed with the date verified.

Who is eligible for the Subclass 858 visa?

Have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a profession, a field of academia or research, a sport or the arts
Still be prominent in your field and be an asset to the Australian community, with a credible case that you will bring innovation and economic benefit
Be nominated (Form 1000) by an Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible NZ citizen or Australian organisation with a national reputation in your field — or by an Australian Government or state/territory agency
Be under 55, unless your achievement would be of exceptional benefit to Australia
Submit an Expression of Interest, receive an invitation and apply within 60 days
Have at least functional English (or pay the second instalment) and meet health and character requirements

How much does the Subclass 858 visa cost?

The base application charge is A$6,235. An additional A$3,120 applies per applicant aged 18 or over. Checked against the official Home Affairs pricing table on 11 October 2026. See every Subclass 858 stream's charge and processing time, or compare every visa on our Australian visa fees table. Fees are indexed each year — see the official Visa Pricing Estimator for the current figure.

How long does the Subclass 858 visa take to process?

Stream	75% finalised within	90% finalised within
Distinguished Talent / Global Talent (Independent)	19 months	24 months

Official figures as at 29 September 2026. Source: Department of Home Affairs — Global visa processing times. Compare all visas on our processing times tracker. Times are a guide only — complete, decision-ready applications are generally faster.

How do you apply for the Subclass 858 visa?

Prepare your evidence. Document your achievements, recognition, and the value you bring (awards, publications, patents, leadership, income, media coverage).
Consider a state Registration of Interest (optional). This step is optional — you can go straight to the federal Expression of Interest. Some states and territories accept a separate Registration of Interest for the National Innovation visa, and a government nomination places you in Priority 2 under Ministerial Direction 120.
Submit an Expression of Interest. Lodge an EOI with your nominator's Form 1000. EOIs are ranked under Ministerial Direction 120 and invitations are issued in regular rounds.
Receive an invitation. If invited, you must lodge a complete visa application within 60 days of the invitation date.
Settle and contribute. Establish yourself in Australia in your area of expertise.

How it compares

Priority (MD 120, from 25 July 2026)	Who	Invitations Apr–Jun 2026
Priority 1	Global experts with top-of-field international awards (e.g. Nobel Prize, Fields Medal, Olympic gold)	Fewer than 5
Priority 2	Candidates nominated by an Australian Government or state/territory agency	Fewer than 20
Priority 3	Exceptional achievers in Tier 1 sectors: critical technologies, renewables and low-emission technologies, health industries	192
Priority 4	Exceptional achievers in Tier 2 sectors: agri-food and AgTech, defence and space, education, financial services and FinTech, infrastructure and transport, resources	38
Priority 5	All other EOIs	—

Frequently asked questions

Is there a points test for the 858 visa?

No. The National Innovation visa is not points-tested. It is an invitation-only pathway for individuals with an exceptional, internationally recognised record of achievement, ranked under Ministerial Direction 120 rather than by points.

What kinds of achievement qualify for the National Innovation visa?

An internationally recognised track record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a profession, academia or research, sport or the arts — backed by awards, leadership, publications, patents, income or other tangible markers of prominence — together with a credible plan to bring innovation and economic benefit to Australia. Since 25 July 2026, Tier 1 sectors (critical technologies, renewables and low-emission technologies, health industries) are prioritised over Tier 2 sectors.

How competitive is the 858?

Very. Between April and June 2026 the Department received 2,166 Expressions of Interest and issued 248 invitations — roughly one in nine — with 122 going to critical technologies, 45 to health industries and 33 to renewables. The 2026-27 Migration Program allocates 3,500 Talent and Innovation places, down from 5,300 in the two previous years.

Do I need a nominator?

Yes. Your Expression of Interest must include a Form 1000 nomination from an Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen or Australian organisation with a national reputation in your field, or from an Australian Government or state/territory government agency. A government nomination moves your EOI into Priority 2.

Is there an age limit?

You must be under 55 when invited unless the Department is satisfied your achievement would be of exceptional benefit to Australia. There is no minimum age beyond being able to demonstrate the record of achievement.

Is the 858 permanent?

Yes — it grants permanent residence from the date of grant, with work, study and Medicare access and a pathway to citizenship.

National Innovation visa (Subclass 858)