Pathways / Subclass 858
Grants permanent residencyNational Innovation visa
Direct permanent residency for internationally recognised, exceptional talent.
The National Innovation visa replaced the Global Talent visa in December 2024. It grants permanent residency directly, with no points test and no employer, to people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional achievement in a priority sector. The bar is genuinely very high: of more than 9,000 expressions of interest, only a few hundred invitations have issued.
Watch for thisBe sceptical of anyone who tells you this visa is achievable for an ordinary strong professional. The published invitation numbers are small for a reason.
- Grants
- Permanent residence immediately
- Points test
- None
- Priority sectors
- Critical technologies, health industries, renewables and low-emission technologies
- Age
- Under 18 or over 55 must show exceptional benefit to Australia
- Reality check
- Invitation rates are very low
What you need
- An internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement.
- Continuing prominence in your field.
- Capacity to make a substantial contribution to Australia.
- A nominator with a national reputation in your field.
How it works, step by step
- Assess honestly whether your record is internationally recognised, not just locally strong.
- Identify a credible Australian nominator with national standing in your field.
- Submit an Expression of Interest describing your achievements and prospective contribution.
- If invited, lodge the visa application.
Strengths
- Permanent residence directly
- No points test, employer or state
- No skills assessment
- Fast when successful
Trade-offs
- Very low invitation rate
- Subjective assessment
- Requires a credible nominator
- Not a realistic route for most applicants
Registered migration agents
We are building a directory of MARN-registered agents and immigration lawyers. Listings are checked against the public register before they appear.
How the directory worksPlacement shown on the subclass 858 page.
General information, not migration advice. myPRJourney summarises publicly available information about Australian visas so you can understand your options. It does not assess your case, and it is not a substitute for advice from a registered migration agent (MARN) or Australian legal practitioner. Migration rules, occupation lists, income thresholds and state nomination criteria change frequently and sometimes without notice. This page was last reviewed on 21 July 2026. Always confirm current requirements directly with the Department of Home Affairs at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.