We are here to share the latest developments on the long-awaited National Innovation Visa (NIV), which many had anticipated would replace the former Subclass 188 Business Innovation and Investor Visa.
While it may not have fully met those expectations, the NIV has been designed to attract the world’s best and brightest talent to contribute to Australia’s future prosperity. It represents an evolution of the Global Talent Visa (Subclass 858), now rebranded as the National Innovation Visa. The program builds on the original framework but introduces key updates, with a particular focus on research and business/investment achievements. The NIV targets both established and emerging leaders across various fields, including global researchers, entrepreneurs, innovative investors, athletes, and creatives.
There will be options available for investors who have invested in innovative businesses, as well as entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas, through state and territory nominations. However, further details are still to be released. We expect more information will be provided over time and will share what is currently available.
Key Updates and Highlights:
1. Name Change
The visa has been renamed from the Global Talent Visa to the National Innovation Visa. The core criteria of the visa remain unchanged, but the rebranding reflects a broader focus on Australia’s future innovation and prosperity.
2. Invitation Requirement
A significant change is the introduction of a mandatory invitation process. Unlike the previous system where an invitation was optional, applicants must now receive an invitation before applying. Once invited, applicants must submit their visa application within 60 days. Invitations are issued through the Expression of Interest (EOI) system, but unlike the SkillSelect system, it remains a standalone web form.
3 . Clarified Evaluation Criteria
The assessment of “exceptional and outstanding achievements” has been clarified. Specific indicators such as research grants, keynote presentations, and patents will now be used to assess applicants, providing clearer guidance for both applicants and decision-makers.
4. No Binding Obligations for Permanent Residents
One of the key features of the NIV is that there are no binding obligations for recipients once granted permanent residency. While applicants are selected for their potential to benefit Australia, they are not under any formal requirement to contribute in a specific way. This flexibility remains the same as the previous Global Talent Visa.
5. No Sector Requirements
Unlike the Global Talent Independent visa, there are no specific sector requirements for eligibility. However, applicants with achievements in critical sectors (such as technology, science, and innovation) will be prioritized during the EOI and visa processing stages.
6. No Salary Requirement
Unlike the Global Talent Independent visa, the NIV does not have a minimum salary requirement. While salary is not a formal eligibility criterion, a high salary (either current earnings or an Australian job offer) will serve as evidence of the applicant’s exceptional achievements and caliber.
7. Multiple Achievements Required
Under the NIV, applicants must demonstrate multiple achievements to qualify. This is a shift from the previous Global Talent system, where a single exceptional achievement could be enough to meet the visa criteria.
In Summary,
The National Innovation Visa (NIV) is a progressive initiative designed to attract the world’s top innovators and researchers to Australia. It retains the flexibility and high standards of the former Global Talent Visa, while incorporating important updates that streamline the process, clarify eligibility criteria, and remove some of the previous requirements.
Although the current directive provides limited coverage for business and investment activities, we hope that further guidance will be introduced to include these areas in the future.
Assessing exceptional and outstanding achievements
Applicants should be able to demonstrate multiple achievements that include the following indicators. In addition to these indicators, the separate PhD graduate pathway is still available (see below).
| # | Indicator of exceptional and outstanding achievements |
| 1 | International ‘top-of-field’ level awards |
Recognition through prestigious awards for exceptional and outstanding accomplishments across various fields. These include but are not limited to:
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| 2 | Recipients of national research grants |
Award of a prestigious national research grant in Australia or internationally, demonstrating the individual’s standing as a leading expert in their field. These include but are not limited to:
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| 3 | PhD with high levels of academic influence or thought leadership |
Individuals with a PhD who exhibit significant academic impact or demonstrate leadership in their field of expertise, such as:
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| 4 | High Calibre talent with recognition or high-income |
| Other measures of high-caliber talent may include:
recent keynote appearance at a high-profile international conference. For example:
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| 5 | Nominated by Commonwealth or State/Territory Government Agency |
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Processing priority
The following criteria determine processing priorities for both the Expression of Interest (EOI) and visa applications. This is not an eligibility criterion and only determines the processing priority.
| Priority | Description |
| 1 | Global expert and receipt of international top-of-field award |
| 2 | Nominated by Commonwealth or State/Territory government in Australia |
| 3 | Achievements in the Tier 1 sector:
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| 4 | Achievements in the tier 2 sector:
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| 5 | All other applications |
Sector descriptions for processing priorities
| Tier | Sector Description |
| Tier 1 | |
| 1 | Critical technologies |
| Potentially transformative enabling technology. This includes artificial intelligence, advanced robotics, and cyber security technology.
This sector includes, but is not limited to, the following specializations:
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| Renewables and low-emission technologies | |
| Technology that will support Australia to reach net zero.
This sector includes, but is not limited to, the following specializations:
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| Health Industries | |
| Innovation in medical manufacturing and sovereign capabilities in medical science.
This sector includes, but is not limited to, the following specializations:
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| Tier 2 | |
| 2 | Agri-food and AgTech |
| Innovation or value-adding in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sectors.
This sector includes, but is not limited to, the following specializations:
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| Education | |
| Academia, research, or management in universities and higher learning institutions.
This sector includes, but is not limited to, the following specializations:
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| Defence Capabilities and Space | |
| Advancing sovereign defense and space capability.
This sector includes, but is not limited to, the following specializations:
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| Financial Services and FinTech | |
| Advancing innovation in the financial services or technology industries.
This sector includes, but is not limited to, the following specializations:
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| Infrastructure and Transport | |
| Advancing innovation in the transport sector and infrastructure projects.
This sector includes, but is not limited to, the following specializations:
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| Resources | |
| Innovation, product development, or value-adding in resource sectors or critical minerals supply chains.
This sector includes, but is not limited to, the following specializations: ● automation and industry 4.0 skills ● beneficiation technology ● critical and battery minerals ● exploration services ● geology and metallurgy ● oil and gas decommissioning ● resource waste management ● value-add in resource sectors including manufacturing products and technologies to advance mineral processing. |
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