Nomad Watch
AU

Australia National Innovation Visa

Active Worldwide

Australia · Subclass 858 · Economic · apply online · processing 30–180 days

Financial threshold — no minimum listed
Stay —
Application fee $4,340
Tax Worldwide Australia progressive tax (0-45%)

Path to staying

  1. Permanent residencypossible
  2. Citizenshipafter 4 years
  • Permanent residency
  • Citizenship 4 years
  • Dual citizenship allowed
  • Language required for citizenship B1

Overview

Country
Australia
Program
Australia National Innovation Visa
Local name
Subclass 858
Type
Economic
Status
Active

Invitation-only permanent visa (subclass 858) for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a profession, sport, the arts, or academia and research. Requires a Form 1000 nomination and grants permanent residence on grant.

Eligibility

  • Criminal record check required
  • Health check required
  • Health insurance not required
  • Endorsement Nominator

Work rights

  • Employment allowed
  • Self-employment allowed
  • Own a business allowed
  • Work permit included

Family and dependents

Dependents allowed
Yes
Spouse included
Yes
Max child age
23
Parents allowed
No

Benefits and mobility

  • Bank account can open
  • Property purchase allowed
  • Public healthcare access granted

Tax

Tax regime
Worldwide
Regime name
Australia progressive tax (0-45%)
Foreign income taxed
Yes
Capital gains taxed
Yes

How to apply

Method
online
Processing time
30–180 days
Apply from abroad
Yes

Notes

Replaced the Global Talent pathway from 6 December 2024 (Migration Amendment (National Innovation Visa) Regulations 2024). Expression of Interest first; apply within 60 days of invitation with Form 1000 completed by an Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen, or Australian organisation with a national reputation in the same field. Processing order and achievement indicators are in Ministerial Direction No. 120 (tier 1: critical technologies, renewables and low emission technologies, health industries; tier 2 includes agri-food/ag-tech, defence/space, education, fintech, infrastructure/transport, resources). The Fair Work high income threshold (AUD 190,100 from 1 July 2026) is an MD-120 indicator of exceptional achievement, not a mandatory salary floor. First-instalment VAC from Migration Regulations Schedule 1 item 1113: AUD 6,235 main applicant, AUD 3,120 each additional applicant 18+, AUD 1,560 each under 18 (Pacific-regional passport concession AUD 5,110 / 2,560 / 1,280). Second instalment AUD 4,890 per applicant 18+ without functional English, payable only before grant. Travel facility 5 years from grant, then Resident Return visa needed to re-enter as a PR. Citizenship: generally 4 years lawful residence including the last 12 months as a permanent resident, plus basic English via the citizenship test.

Also in Australia

Australia also offers a digital nomad visa for remote workers

Last verified Oct 9, 2026 Last changed Oct 10, 2026 Source

Change history

    • Income annual (USD) 119000 132200
    • Application fee (USD) 2700 4340

    verified against Home Affairs subclass 858, MD-120, Migration Regulations item 1113 and FWC HIT; updated income_annual_local 183100→190100, income_annual_usd 119000→132200, application_fee_usd 2700→4340, dependent_fee_usd null→2170, endorsement_type committee→nominator, verified 2026-10-09; refreshed Description/Notes (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/national-innovation-visa-858).

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