Australia’s Department of Home Affairs officially launched the new 858 NIV (National Innovation Visa) on December 7, 2024. This high-threshold permanent residency visa is designed to attract top global talent and is specifically aimed at individuals with exceptional international achievements. The visa operates through an Expression of Interest (EOI) invitation system, prioritizing applicants in fields of critical need and high priority.
The NIV visa offers a new opportunity for highly skilled, internationally accomplished innovators. Whether you are a top-tier researcher, a successful entrepreneur, or a globally influential creative, this visa could serve as a bridge to your future in Australia.
858 NIV Visa
1. Main Categories/Streams
The introduction of the NIV visa aims to attract outstanding individuals with international accomplishments and backgrounds, contributing to Australia’s unique fields and professions.
Here are the main categories/streams under the 858 NIV visa:
- Global Researchers: Those who have published articles in leading journals, with a large number of publications and citations, and have won top international field awards.
- Entrepreneurs: Emerging or established entrepreneurs who have received state government endorsement and have international recognition.
- High-Quality International Investors: Individuals who are valued for the quality of their investment rather than merely meeting investment thresholds.
- Athletes & Creative Talent: Individuals who have the potential to represent Australia internationally in the future.
2. Priority Processing Order
The Department of Home Affairs has clearly outlined the priority processing order for NIV visa applications.
Priority 1
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Candidates who are global experts and have received prestigious international “top-of-field” awards:
- Olympic Gold Medals
- Breakthrough Prizes
- Nobel Prizes
- Fields Prizes
- L’Oréal-UNESCO Awards for Women in Science, among others.
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National Research Funding: Applicants who have received high-level research funding from international or Australian government sources, such as:
- Australian Research Council grants
- US National Science Foundation funding
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Academic Influence: Applicants with a PhD who have published significant papers in leading journals (e.g., Nature, Lancet), with a high H-index indicating academic excellence.
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High Income: Applicants who earn at least AUD 175,000 annually or have an employer’s commitment to meet this salary level.
Priority 2
- Nominees from Australian federal, state, or territory government expert bodies, who can come from any field. Examples include:
- Athletes or inventors who will elevate Australia’s international standing.
- Individuals who have made successful innovation investments.
- Innovators who can contribute to Australia’s innovation sectors.
- Applicants with recognized intellectual property, such as international patents.
Priority 3
- Applicants with outstanding achievements in key industries:
- Critical technologies
- Health industries
- Renewable energy and low-emissions technologies
Priority 4
- Applicants with outstanding achievements in secondary industries:
- Agricultural food and agricultural technologies
- Defense capabilities and space
- Education
- Financial services and fintech
- Infrastructure and transportation
- Resources
It is important to note that applicants must demonstrate ongoing excellence in their field, showing that they have maintained a high level of achievement recently.
3. NIV Visa Features
The NIV visa offers the following appealing features for applicants:
- Direct pathway to Permanent Residency (PR)
- No age limits
- No occupation restrictions
- No language requirements (IELTS score of at least 4.5 or payment of a language fee is acceptable)
It’s important to note that the NIV visa operates through an EOI (Expression of Interest) system, meaning applicants must first be nominated and pass the Minister’s approval before submitting a visa application.
Additionally, there are quota limits for the NIV visa.
4. Visa Application Requirements
Here are the main requirements for the 858 NIV visa:
- Outstanding Achievement in a Specialist Field: Applicants must have internationally or nationally recognized achievements in their professional field.
- Proven Impact: Applicants must have a track record of achievements that show they will continue to make positive contributions to Australia’s economy, emerging industries, and society.
- Nomination: Applicants must be nominated by an individual with national recognition in the same field, using Form 1000 for nomination. The nominator must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or an Australian organization in the relevant field.
- Health and Character: Applicants must pass a medical examination and provide a police clearance certificate.
5. Nominator Requirements
The nominator for the NIV visa must meet the following criteria:
- Submit the nomination using Form 1000.
- The nominator must be nationally recognized in the relevant field and must be able to demonstrate the applicant’s exceptional achievements. The nominator must be:
- An Australian citizen or permanent resident
- An eligible New Zealand citizen
- An Australian organization or institution
6. Visa Application Process
The process for applying for the NIV visa is as follows:
- Find a Nominator and Submit an EOI: Applicants must first find a nominator and submit an EOI, which is valid for two years.
- Receive an Invitation: After submitting the EOI, applicants will receive an invitation to apply.
- Submit Visa Application: Once invited, applicants must submit their visa application within 60 days; otherwise, the invitation will expire.
- Health Check and Police Clearance: Applicants must undergo a medical examination and provide a police clearance certificate.
- Visa Processing and Approval: Await the decision on the visa application.
- Permanent Residency: Once the visa is granted, applicants will become permanent residents of Australia.
7. Visa Holding Requirements
For applicants both within and outside of Australia, the following requirements apply:
- Offshore Applicants: No specific visa is required to apply.
- Onshore Applicants: Must hold a valid substantive visa or bridging visa (e.g., 491/494 visa holders must have held the visa for at least three years).
8. Official Visa Fees
The application fee for the NIV visa starts at AUD 4,840.
9. Differences Between the 858 NIV and 858 GTI Visas
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858 GTI Visa:
- Applicant requirements: Undefined criteria with no priority processing system.
- Categories: Limited categories focusing on 10 key sectors.
- No age requirements.
- No mandatory language requirements.
- Residency requirements: Considered based on the applicant’s residence in Australia.
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858 NIV Visa:
- Applicant requirements: Salary threshold of AUD 175,000 with additional criteria.
- Categories: Broad range with clearly defined priority occupations.
- No age requirements, but additional evidence is required for applicants under 18 or over 55.
- No mandatory language requirements; applicants can pay a language training fee if IELTS is below 4.5.
- No residency requirements.
10. Differences Between the 482 SID Visa (Specialist Skills Stream) and 858 NIV Visa
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482 SID Visa (Specialist Skills Stream):
- Applicant requirements: Salary must meet the AUD 135,000 threshold.
- Permanent residency pathway: Temporary visa with a path to PR.
- Sponsorship requirements: Requires employer sponsorship.
- Age: No age limit, but applicants must be under 45 for PR transition.
- Language: Minimum IELTS score of 5.
- Occupation restrictions: Limited to specific occupations; salary and occupation must match.
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858 NIV Visa:
- Applicant requirements: Clear priority system for selecting applicants.
- Permanent residency pathway: Direct pathway to PR.
- Sponsorship requirements: Requires a qualified nominator.
- Age: No age limit, but additional evidence is required for applicants under 18 or over 55.
- Language: No mandatory language requirements; pay a language fee if necessary.
- Occupation restrictions: No occupation restrictions.
Common FAQs Answered:
#1 What are the requirements of the NIV?
In short, it requires outstanding achievements / proven impact on the specific field, nomination from an expert in the field, and health / character requirements. Please refer to section #4.
#2 Does NIV lead to permanent residency?
Yes, NIV does lead to permanent residency as it is a permanent visa.
#3 Are there any age limitations for the NIV?
No, there are no age limitations for the NIV. However, you would need to provide extra evidence and material to prove your impact if you are under 18 or above 55 years old.
#4 Will the Global talent applications still be processed?
These will continue to be processed but the processing priorities in Migration Direction 112 will apply. Remember that only 4000 places have been allocated and Government is looking for the best of the best.
