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)

In this blog, we will cover the latest Australian immigration news including student visa caps, visa processing times, the 189 visa invitation round, Medicare for temporary visas, Global Talent visa and updates on state nominations.

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Student Visa Cap

The Australian Government has announced a cap on student visas starting in 2025, with a total of 270,000 international students allowed to study in Australia, a reduction of 53,000 from the previous year.

The cap breakdown is as follows:

• 145,000 new student visas for public universities

• 30,000 for other universities and non-university higher education providers

• 90,000 for the vocational education and training (VET) sector

Exemptions:

• School students

• Higher degree by research programs

• English-language providers (ELICOS)

• Non-award programs

Potential Impact:

• Harder to get enrolment for vocational and university courses in Australia.

• Less enrolments for prestigious universities in Melbourne and Sydney.

• Some students may have their enrolments withdrawn before the visa is granted and not get the visa. 

• More enrolments for regional universities.

• It will be harder to do a second or third course once in Australia. For example, if you enter Australia as an English student and then want to apply for a VET course.  

• No caps at all for English courses or school students, so these will become more popular.

If you have any questions or need assistance with your Australian visa application, feel free to book an appointment. 

189 Invitation Round

A new 189 visa invitation round took place on 5 September 2024. The occupations invited include Teachers, Engineers, General Practitioners, Accountants, and trades.

Here are some key points from this round:

• Painting Trades Workers and Carpenters: Invited with 65 points 

• Construction Managers: Invited with 75 points 

• Medical Practitioners: Invited with 80 points 

• Architects: Invited with 75 points 

Both onshore and offshore applicants were invited. Click here to check all the occupations invited. 

State Nomination 190 and 491 Visa Updates

Most states have opened for Expressions of Interest (EOI) and Registrations of Interest (ROI) submissions, with New South Wales opening in October.

This year, some states are moving away from prioritising high points, focusing instead on factors such as:

• Salary

• Relevant work experience

• English proficiency

• Partner skills

• Education level

• ANZSCO classification

Click here to learn more about the 190 Visa. 

Click here to learn more about the 491 Visa. 

Temporary Visas Eligible for Medicare

All permanent visas can enrol in Medicare, but did you know that some temporary visas can also enrol in Medicare?

Temporary visas eligible for Medicare:

• 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa

• 491 Skilled Work Regional visa

• Onshore Parent visas

• Onshore provisional partner visas

• Protection visa (subclass 785)

Check the full list here. 

VETASSESS Processing Times

VETASSESS has reduced the processing time for skills assessments in professional and non-trade occupations. The typical processing time has decreased from 10-15 weeks to 8-10 weeks.

Global Talent Updates

The Global Talent Visa is expected to close in late 2024, with the National Innovation Visa set to replace it.

Here are some recent updates regarding the Global Talent Visa:

• We are still successfully receiving invitations for our clients.

• There have been reports of quick Expression of Interest rejections, sometimes as fast as two weeks for some applicants.

• Current visa processing times for the Global Talent Visa are estimated between 9 to 12 months.

• The Department of Home Affairs is increasingly checking the credentials of nominators and referees, with more scrutiny than before.

Visa Processing Times (September 2024)

Here are the current processing times for some key visas:

• 190 visa: 50% processed in 16 months, 90% in 17 months

• 491 visa: 50% processed in 17 months, 90% in 23 months

• 482 visa (Short and Medium Term): 50% in 1 month, 90% in 5 months

• 186 Transition Pathway: 50% in 6 months, 90% in 14 months

• 820 Provisional Onshore Partner visa: 50% processed in 12 months, 90% in 26 months

• 801 Permanent Onshore Partner visa: 50% processed in 11 months, 90% in 30 months

Check all the visa processing times here. 

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://ministers.education.gov.au/clare/improving-sustainability-international-education

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skillselect/invitation-rounds

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/global-visa-processing-times

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/enrolling-medicare-if-youre-temporary-resident-covered-ministerial-order?context=60092

https://www.vetassess.com.au/news/shorter-assessment-times-for-professional-and-general-occupations