The National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858) is a permanent visa, designed to make it easier and faster for talented individuals with exceptional and outstanding achievements in eligible fields to obtain permanent residency.

With this visa, you can

• stay in Australia permanently
• work and study in Australia
• enrol in Australia's public health care scheme, Medicare
• sponsor your relatives to come to Australia
• travel to and from Australia for 5 years
• if eligible, apply for Australian citizenship.

You must

• be invited to apply for this visa and lodge your visa application within 60 days of the invitation. For information on the Expression of Interest, see the National Innovation visa.
• Either be in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance when you apply, and when we grant this visa
• have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in one of the following areas:
  • a profession
  • a sport
  • the arts
  • academia and research.
• have a nominator with a national reputation in your area of talent who is one of the following:
  • an Australian citizen
  • an Australian permanent resident
  • an eligible New Zealand citizen
  • an Australian organisation.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the National Innovation Visa, applicants must demonstrate exceptional talent and a recognised record of achievement. This includes outstanding accomplishments or international recognition in a priority sector that benefits Australia, such as academia, the arts, defence, tourism, financial services and fintech, education, sports, resources, agri-food, advanced manufacturing, or space.

Additional eligibility criteria include:

• Nomination by an Australian citizen, permanent resident, Australian organisation, or eligible New Zealand citizen with a national reputation in the same field.
• Continuing to be active and prominent in your area, with recent achievements.
• Ability to benefit Australia by making economic, social, or cultural contributions, or enhancing Australia’s profile internationally.
• Capacity to establish yourself independently in Australia, including securing employment.
• Functional English skills.
• Meeting Australia’s health and character requirements.

Other criteria may also apply, such as showing exceptional benefit if you are under 18 or over 55, not having had a visa cancelled or refused, and holding an appropriate visa if applying from within Australia.