It has been hard to know how the National Innovation Visa (NIV) has been going since it started in December 2024.

There have been a lot of questions and speculations as to how difficult it is to get an invitation considering the factors mentioned in Ministerial Direction No 112. Is it harder to get an invitation for the NIV compared to the Global Talent Visa?

When there is a lack of intormation sometimes the best thing to do is an Freedom of Infomatoin request to the Australian Government.

We thought of asking the Department of Home Affairs, how many Expressions of Interest (EOIs) have been submitted and how many have received an invitation since the introduction of the National Innovation Visa?

How Many EOI submitted for the NIV so Far?

We received a response from the Department regarding our request and the Department advised that as on 21 March 2025 they have received a total of 3510 NIV EOIs and they have issued a total of 70 NIV invitations.

Only 70 invitations for the National Innovation Visa since December last year. That seems like a low number!

Which means that only about  2% have received an invitation.

The top 3 priority sectors are:

1. Critical technologies with 834 EOIs received;
2. Health Industries with 554 EOIs received; and
3. Financial Services and FinTech with 372 EOIs received.

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Here are the Most Invited Sectors!

The top 3 sectors of those who got invited were:

1. Critical technologies – 23 invitations;
2. Health Industries – 23 invitations; and
3. Renewables and low emission technologies – 9 invitations.

We recently received an invitation to apply for the National Innovation Visa for one of our clients who worked in the Health Industries sector. Please check our Instagram video for more information about the invitation.

Check your own sector in the FOI results here:
https://www.workvisalawyers.com.au/images/National-Innovation-Visa-Updates-FOI.pdf

More Details on the Most Successful NIV Sectors:

Critical Technologies

Critical technologies are those technologies that were identified by the Australian government which can impact Australia’s national interest including the country’s economic prosperity, national security and social cohesion. These include the fields of:

• advanced manufacturing and materials technologies
• artificial intelligence (AI) technologies
• advanced information and communication technologies
• quantum technologies
• autonomous systems, robotics, positioning, timing and sensing
• biotechnologies
• clean energy generation and storage technologies.

Health Industries

Health Industries is not just any person working in Health. They are looking for specialisations such as:

• antimicrobial resistance
• artificial intelligence in health
• biochemistry and cell biology
• biotechnology
• genomics
• emerging health threats and emergencies
• health economics
• implantable and wearable devices
• infectious disease prevention
• pharmaceuticals and precision medicine
• medical science manufacturing for therapeutic products.

Renewables and low emission technologies

They are looking for the following specialisations:

• bio-methane production
• circular economy innovations
• clean energy technology
• emission reduction and carbon storage
• green metals
• low-carbon liquid fuels
• processing and refining of critical minerals
• renewable energy generation
• transmission, distribution or storage
• renewable hydrogen
• Waste to Energy (WtE) technology.

It is not surprising that the top sectors are Critical technologies, Health Industries and FinTech as in addition to EOI candidates who work in these sectors there are also a number of Digitech talents who have specialisations in these sectors who can submit an EOI under these sectors now that pure Digitech has been removed as a priority sector.

Why are the Invitations So Low for the NIV?

However, despite having the third highest EOIs received, there are no invitations extended in the Financial Services and FinTech sector. This could be because this sector is a Priority four Tier 2 sector.

It is also interesting to note that there are less than 5 invitations extended to those in the arts and less than 5 invitations for those in the sports. As Arts and Sports are not included in any priority sectors those that got the invitation would have been ‘recipients of international ‘top of field’ level awards.’

The Global Talent Visa and the National Innovation Visa are allocated 4,000 places for the 2024-2025 Financial Year. 

As there are less than 3 months left before the end of the current financial year and some of the places are already used up by the Global Talent Visa applicants, there are not a lot of places left and most of the EOI candidates can expect to wait longer to see if they will get an invitation.

Next Big Opportunity for the NIV New Allocations from 1 July 2025:

The next allocation for the NIV will be from the 1 July 2025.  This will be a big opportunity because the Global Talent Visa is now shut.  So all the allocations from the 1 July 2025 will need to go to the NIV.

So there is a strong incentive to get your EOI for when the new allocations open from the 1 July 2025, to give you the best chance of getting an invite.

Try Our Free Assessment for the National Innovation Visa Here:

If you want to check  your eligibility for the NIV, we have a free assessment tool on our website - https://www.workvisalawyers.com.au/services/national-innovation-visa/free-niv-assessment.html

Getting the information from the Department is useful. It provided us with some insight regarding the popular sectors and it is good to know that invitations are still being issued even if there are just a few at the moment.

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Learn more about the National Innovation Visa: 

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/national-innovation-visa-858

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/visas-for-innovation/national-innovation-visa

Since the Department of Home Affairs released the new National Innovation Visa (NIV), replacing the Global Talent Visa in December 2024, we have been receiving many inquiries about this new visa.

The National Innovation Visa is a permanent residency visa designed for exceptionally talented individuals from around the world, including global researchers, entrepreneurs, innovative investors, athletes, and creatives.

We have a service page and a YouTube video explaining more about the National Innovation Visa and also offer a free assessment on our website, where our team can provide you with an evaluation of your eligibility.

In this blog we will discuss some of the main questions we are receiving about the National Innovation Visa. 

Who is eligible to apply for the National Innovation Visa?

Applicants must demonstrate exceptional and outstanding achievements in one of the targeted sectors, such as critical technologies, education, health, energy, infrastructure and transport, or research or has exceptional and outstanding achievements in sports or the arts.

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How is the process to apply for the National Innovation Visa?

High-talent individuals must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Department of Home Affairs and obtain a nomination from an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or organization. If the applicant receives an invitation, they can apply for the National Innovation Visa.

Is there an age limit for applicants to apply for the National Innovation Visa?

There is no age limit to apply for the National Innovation Visa. However, applicants under 18 or over 55 may need to demonstrate how their work will provide exceptional benefit to Australia.

Do I need a job offer to apply for the NIV?

A job offer is not necessarily required. The focus is on the applicant's achievements and potential contributions to Australia. However, having a job offer in Australia for a job that has a salary equal to or more than the Fair Work High Income Threshold will help.

Do I need a nominator? 

Yes. You need a nominator to attest to your achievements and expertise. The nominator can be a state or territory government, an Australian company, or an Australian citizen or permanent resident who is also an expert in your field. 

Check out our blog for tips on how to find a nominator for the National Innovation Visa.

What are the visa costs for the National Innovation Visa?

The visa application fee for the main applicant of the National Innovation Visa in the 2024-2025 financial year is AUD 4,840. For dependents over 18 years old, the visa fee is AUD 2,425, and for dependents under 18 years old, the visa fee is AUD 1,210.

The fees increase every new financial year. 

Additional costs, including translation for documents, police clearances, medical exams, and immigration lawyers or agents’ fees, may apply as extra expenses.

What are the English language requirements?

Applicants aged 18 years or older must demonstrate at least 'Functional' English, which is 4.5 in IELTS and 30 in PTE. If this requirement is not met, a second visa application charge applies.

Can I bring my family with me?

Yes, the visa allows applicants to include immediate family members, such as spouses and dependent children, in their application.

What is the processing time for the visa?

Processing times vary based on the complexity of the application and the applicant's specific circumstances. If it follows the same processing time as the Global Talent Visa, the visa will likely take between 6 to 12 months to receive a decision.

How can we assist you in applying for the National Innovation Visa?

If you have any questions about the new National Innovation Visa, please complete our free assessment available on our website so we can assess your eligibility. 

You can also book an appointment with one of our lawyers or registered migration agents to discuss your situation. 

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The National Innovation Visa (NIV) replaced the Global Talent Visa (GTV) from 7 December 2024. However, the new NIV is still subclass 858. So, what changed and what stayed the same?

Here we discussed the similarities and differences between the old Global Talent Visa and the new National Innovation Visa Australia.

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Internationally recognized record of exceptional and outstanding achievement

What stayed the same

Both GTV and NIV are for those individuals who have an internationally recognized record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a profession, a sport, the arts and academia and research.

Like the GTV, applicants for the NIV must be prominent in their area, would be an asset to Australia and would not have difficulty in obtaining employment or in becoming established independently in Australia in their area.

What changed

For the National Innovation Visa, Ministerial Direction No 112 provides the priorities for assessing the applications. With global experts and recipients of top of field international awards will be given top priority followed by those who are nominated by an expert Commonwealth or State or Territory government. The third and fourth priorities will be those working in the tier 1 and tier 2 priority sectors respectively.

The Ministerial Direction also provides for the factors or considerations as to how the achievements are assessed such as whether they have received national research grants, whether they hold a PhD degree with high levels of academic influence or thought leadership.

Previously, athletes, creatives and the like apply under the Distinguished Talent pathway of sc-858. Now all NIV applicants are processed under the same pathway. Innovators, innovative entrepreneurs and investors are also targeted as potential applicants for the NIV.

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Sectors

What stayed the same

There are still priority sectors for the National Innovation Visa.

What changed

For the NIV, the sectors are now used to determine the priority in processing and are now classified into 2 tiers. Those falling into the tier 1 priority sector will be given the third priority and those in the tier 2 priority sector will be given the fourth priority.

The big change in terms of sectors is that DigiTech has been removed.

This is a major change because we previously found that the number of expressions of interest from DigiTech was very high, and the number of invitations issued accounted for 50% or more of the overall Global Talent Visa allocation.

Some of those candidates who previously fit into DigiTech now look at other sectors, such as critical sectors, which include AI, and the financial sector in FinTech, which has specializations including: Innovations in application programming, Blockchain engineering, Cloud technologies, FinTech cyber and data security, Financial data science and analysis and Software engineering.

Fair Work High Income Threshold is Still a Measure of High-Caliber Talent

The new priorities include many more objective measures, such as awards, but they still reference the ability to meet the Fair Work high income threshold.

The Fair Work high income threshold is currently $175,000 per year, and this amount increases every year on July 1st.

With the inclusion of many more criteria, the importance of demonstrating that you can meet the Fair Work high income threshold may have been somewhat diluted.

Nomination

What stayed the same

Just like for the Global Talent Visa, nomination is still required for the National Innovation Visa and a completed Form 1000 is still required at the time of the visa application.

The nominator is still required to have a national reputation in the same area as the applicant.

What changed

An expert Commonwealth or State or Territory government are now also able to nominate applicants for the NIV.

Those applicants referred by or nominated by an expert Commonwealth or State or Territory government are given top 2 priority in the processing of the applications.

Expression of Interest (EOI)

What stayed the same

The EOI is still submitted via a webform on the Department of Home Affairs website.

What changed

Unlike the Global Talent Visa, the EOI is now mandatory in order to have a valid application for the National Innovation Visa.  Previously, those applying for sc-858 under the Distinguished Talent pathway are not required to be invited in order to apply for the GTV. 

The processing of the GTV EOIs took about 3-6 months to be processed and if it was endorsed by a Global Talent Officer EOI is able to be processed in a few days. For the NIV, the Department of Home Affairs will invite applicants throughout the year and the submitted EOIs will be in the Department’s system for 2 years and they will expire.

For the GTV, the invitations used to expire after 12 months then the Department changed the policy and the EOIs had no expiration.

For the NIV, invitations are only valid for 60 days, that is, the applicant must apply for the NIV 60 days from the date of the invitation.

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Having successfully assisted hundreds of applicants for the Distinguished Talent and Global Talent visas, we are now helping clients with the latest talent-focused visa—the National Innovation Visa.

If you’re interested in applying for the National Innovation Visa, we encourage you to contact us. You can also complete our free assessment to determine your eligibility for an invitation.

Complete our free NIV assessment so our team can provide you with a free evaluation of your eligibility.

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Sources: 

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/national-innovation-visa-858

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/visas-for-innovation/national-innovation-visa/priorities

There has been an announcement published by the Department of Home Affairs on the Global Talent Visa page with significant implications. It provides:

• From 29 November 2024, the Expression of Interest (EOI) process for the Global Talent Visa has closed for new expressions.
• This closure is said to be in anticipation of the opening of the new National Innovation Visa (NIV).

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What about those who have an EOI for the Global Talent Visa but have not received an invitation yet?

The Department of Home Affairs has stated:
"If you have submitted an EOI for the Global Talent Visa and have not received a response from us, you can still apply for a Global Talent Visa before we introduce the NIV. You should ensure that you meet the exceptional thresholds and standard requirements for the visa program."

When will the new National Innovation Visa be opened?

Last month, the Queensland government announced plans to be involved in the process of nominations for the new National Innovation Visa.

This indicates ongoing discussions at both the departmental level and with state governments regarding the launch of the new visa.

The announcement says:
"You can also lodge a new EOI for the NIV when it becomes available. We will share more information about the NIV before we launch the program."

More information about the National Innovation Visa will be announced on December 7, 2024.

What are the main differences between the Global Talent Visa and the National Innovation Visa?

The biggest difference seems to be that with the National Innovation Visa, all potential applicants will have to go through the Expression of Interest process. This is very similar to the EOI process for a General Skilled Migration application.

With the current Global Talent Visa, you can apply directly without needing an invitation, and your application will be considered based on the visa requirements. However, you will still need a nomination if you’re applying directly.

Is the Department of Home Affairs still processing Global Talent Visas?

Yes. The Department of Home Affairs says:
“We will continue to process applications in accordance with annual migration planning levels and processing priorities for Skilled Visas. This includes assessing applications for priority processing in line with Ministerial Direction No. 89.”

Can I still lodge a Global Talent Visa?

Yes, you can. The announcement states:
"If you have submitted an EOI for the Global Talent Visa and have not received a response from us, you can still apply for a Global Talent Visa before we introduce the NIV. You should ensure that you meet the exceptional thresholds and standard requirements for the visa program."

Should you apply for both Global Talent Visa and National Innovation Visa?

The recent announcement includes the following:
“You can also lodge a new EOI for the NIV when it becomes available.”
The main advantage of the current Global Talent Visa is that you can apply directly without having received an invitation to the Expression of Interest process.
Of course, if you choose to lodge directly, you need to be confident that you meet the criteria.

The new National Innovation Visa will have an EOI system, and everyone will need to receive an invitation before lodging the visa.

What are the Criteria for the National Innovation Visa?

The new National Innovation Visa will provide opportunities for exceptional talent from diverse backgrounds, including:

• Global researchers and thought leaders (e.g., those published in leading journals, with high levels of publications and citations, and recipients of top-of-field awards)
• Entrepreneurs, both established and emerging, with lessons taken from successful state and territory-led initiatives
• Innovative investors focusing on the quality of investment, not just meeting simple thresholds
• Athletes and creatives, particularly those who represent Australia internationally

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Will I be eligible for the new National Innovation Visa?

This is the big question we often asked.
The new National Innovation Visa will bring together applicants from two major categories: the Business Innovation Visas and the Global Talent Visa.

The Business Innovation Visas or BIIP program (formerly the 188 visa and 888 visa) have been waiting for a new visa category for some time. This includes business owners with experience and investors with capital to invest.

The Global Talent Visa, on the other hand, has attracted many individuals with successful careers and high salaries.
Combining these two categories into one visa class and broadening the criteria for Global Talent Visa makes the National Innovation Visa likely to be highly competitive, and getting an invitation will be challenging.

Another factor contributing to this competitiveness is that the National Innovation Visa will allow direct applications for permanent residency, which makes it more attractive than the previous Business Innovation 188/888 visas, which required holding a temporary visa for several years.

It also appears that the National Innovation Visa will remove the need to fit into one of the 10 industry sectors, which previously limited the pool of applicants. This will likely make the National Innovation Visa even more competitive.

Until the full criteria is released, we can’t provide a definitive answer for every potential applicant. However, we can say that the focus will be on high-achieving entrepreneurs, academics, sportspeople, creatives, and investors. It will be a highly competitive process to receive an invitation.

If you need any assistance on the global Talent Visa or the New National Innovation Visa, please contact our office.

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Sources:

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/global-talent-visa-858

Earlier this year, the Australian Government announced that it would close the Global Talent Visa (GTV) in late 2024 and replace it with the new National Innovation Visa.

The National Innovation Visa, expected to be introduced in late 2024, will replace both the Global Talent Visa and the Business Innovation and Investment Program. This new visa aims to attract exceptionally talented migrants to Australia, including high-performing entrepreneurs, major investors, and global researchers.

You can read more about the National Innovation Visa here.

Global Talent Visa latest updates: 

1. Global Talent Visa Skill open

The Global Talent is currently still moving forward and is not closed yet. We are still getting invites for our clients.  

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2. Quick EOI Rejections 

We have noticed that Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from applicants who clearly do not meet the prioritization parameters are being rejected very quickly. Some applicants received rejection decisions as fast as 2 weeks, while others were informed within 2 months. 

It seems that applicants who do not meet the high-income threshold are being rejected quickly. 
Additionally, some applicants already in Australia on other visas, such as the subclass 482, are also receiving rejections.

3. People with Rejected EOIs Trying Again 

Resubmitting an EOI after an unsuccessful attempt depends on the case. 
There are those who are unsuccessful because they did not provide enough evidence but have the achievements, salary, etc and perhaps did not provide good responses to the questions in the EOI webform. These applicants may have a chance if they improve their submissions and evidence.

Then there are those who do not meet the parameters of the program so if they cannot provide any significant changes since submitting their first EOI, they would still get an unsuccessful EOI.

4. Global Talent Visa Processing Time

5. Global Talent Visa has become more competitive 

Thus, it is very important to show that the applicants meet the high-income threshold and have the required internationally recognised achievements in their field.

6. Nominators

Self-represented applicants for the GTV have also reported that they have been getting requests to prove their nominator's status. This is one indicator that the Department is more stringent in assessing the applications.

We have also seen that there are instances where the Department contacted the nominator to verify the contents of the Form 1000 and have even contacted some referees to check the claims of the applicants.

Global Talent Visa Requirements

While the Global Talent Visa remains open, it is important to make sure your meet all the requirements for your EOI. 

Just putting a EOI in because you hear it is closing, without considering the criteria, is not a good idea.

The criteria include, being in one of the target sectors, having international recognition for outstanding achievements, earning a salary above the current income threshold of A$175,000 (for the 2024-2025 Financial year), being employable in Australia and securing an eligible nominator.

Take a free Global Talent Visa assessment

If you’re considering applying for the Global Talent Visa, we offer a free assessment on our website where we can provide feedback on your chances of being invited. 

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Do you need help to apply for an Australian Visa?

If you need assistance with applying for an Australian visa, please contact us.

You can book an appointment online or call us at (+61) 8 8351 9956.

Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your visa application.

Based in Adelaide, South Australia, we provide Australian immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world. 

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Sources:

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/global-talent-visa-858

Budget Paper No.2 (squarespace.com)