Australia · Talent and innovation migration

National Innovation visa (subclass 858)

Australia's National Innovation visa is an invitation-only permanent visa for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement.

Published by World Investment Migration Association in policy release WIMA-POL-2026-10-02.

WIMA is not a government authority and does not issue visas, residence permits or citizenship. Confirm current requirements with the responsible authorities before acting.

Accountable publisher and responsible body: World Investment Migration Association
Recorded pre-publication checks: Required fields, source links and claim citations checked for this release; no external peer-review claim is made.
Separate substantive reviewer: None appointed or claimed for this release
Published: 2 October 2026
Last verified: 2 October 2026

Status at the release cut-off

Three separate status dimensions

Legal status, intake status and operational status answer different questions and should not be combined into a single label.

legal

In force

The subclass appears in the current Migration Regulations and the department publishes a current route page. [4] , [1]

intake

Accepting applications

Invitation required. A person must submit an expression of interest and receive an invitation before applying. [2] , [1]

operational

Operating

The department publishes current expression-of-interest and invitation procedures. [2] , [3]

Eligibility

An applicant must have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a profession, sport, the arts, academia or research. [1]
An eligible Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen or Australian organisation with a national reputation must nominate the applicant. [1]
An invitation following an expression of interest is required and is valid for 60 days. [1] , [3]

Investment or income mechanism

No fixed investment amount is stated. Selection is based on invitation, achievement and nomination criteria. [1] , [2]

Residence and family conditions

Family: Members of the family unit may be included before the application is decided, subject to health and character requirements. [1]
Work: Permanent residents may work and study in Australia under the route benefits stated by the department. [1]
Presence: Not stated [1] , [2]
Duration: Permanent residence. The associated travel facility is stated as five years. [1]
Renewal: Not applicable to permanent residence; travel after the travel facility expires is governed separately. [1]
Later outcome: Australian citizenship may be available if the separate eligibility rules are met. [1]

Limitations and cautions

Submitting an expression of interest does not guarantee an invitation.
Priority settings and invitation volumes may change without altering the visa subclass.

This record is descriptive, not legal, tax or investment advice. Confirm the current position with the responsible authorities.

Official sources

National Innovation visa (subclass 858) Department of Home Affairs Accessed 2 October 2026 Evidence tier B1
National Innovation visa Department of Home Affairs Accessed 2 October 2026 Evidence tier B1
After submitting a National Innovation visa expression of interest Department of Home Affairs Accessed 2 October 2026 Evidence tier B1
Migration Regulations 1994 Federal Register of Legislation Accessed 2 October 2026 Evidence tier A1