Australia National Innovation Visa (NIV) 2026: Invitation, EOI and Evidence Checklist

Australia National Innovation Visa (NIV) 2026: Invitation, EOI and Evidence Checklist

Last reviewed against Australian Department of Home Affairs public guidance on 16 September 2026. The National Innovation visa (NIV), subclass 858, is an invitation-only permanent visa. It is not a fixed-investment threshold, a State nomination product or a fast-track promise. A person first submits an Expression of Interest (EOI); only an invited person may lodge the visa application within the specified period.

This is general information and document-planning content. It does not assess eligibility or promise an invitation, grant, permanent residence, job, family result, citizenship, passport or processing outcome. Settings, forms, charges and invitation arrangements can change; verify the live official source before acting.

Separate the NIV, an EOI, an invitation and a visa application

The NIV is permanent if granted; permanent-resident status starts only when the visa is granted. An EOI is a request to be considered for an invitation. It is not a visa application, a bridging visa or an eligibility assessment. An invitation is also not a grant pre-assessment.

EOI information and attachments cannot be added after submission. The Department advises against a second EOI while one is pending unless claims have changed significantly. An EOI remains in the system for two years. If invited, the applicant must lodge through ImmiAccount within 60 days from the invitation date; the Department says that period cannot be extended.

GTI and subclass 188 are closed to new applications

Global Talent ceased accepting new applications in December 2024. The Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP), including subclass 188, closed to new applications on 31 July 2024. NIV is not a substitute investment threshold, State route or continuation of the former 188 framework.

Priority One to Four are orders of consideration, not NIV visa streams

The Department uses Priority One to Four to order invitations and the processing of relevant applications. They are not four formal visa streams, cannot be selected as purchasable products, and do not guarantee an invitation, faster processing, a program place or a grant.

Priority One covers global experts from any sector who hold international top-of-field awards. Priority Two covers candidates from any sector nominated on the approved Form 1000 by an expert Australian Government agency or State or Territory Government agency. Priority Three covers exceptional and outstanding achievement in Critical Technologies, Renewables and low emission technologies, or Health Industries. Priority Four covers exceptional and outstanding achievement in Agri-food and AgTech, Defence Capabilities and Space, Education, Financial Services and FinTech, Infrastructure and Transport, or Resources.

Sector relevance is not a substitute for personal evidence. A job title in AI, fintech, health, renewables or another priority sector does not by itself establish exceptional and outstanding achievement. The Priority Two government-agency context is specific; it is not a general State nomination program or a South Australia route.

Start with the substantive achievement test

The Department requires an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a profession, sport, the arts, academia or research. The record should show abilities and achievements superior to others in the field, acclaim as exceptional where the field is practised, a sustained record unlikely to diminish soon, and current prominence. The field must be recognised and accepted in Australia and have international standing.

The applicant must also be an asset to the Australian community and be able to obtain employment or become independently established in Australia in the area of achievement. This is not an employment promise. A focused explanation of Australian opportunities, relevant institutional letters, nominator information, prior experience and field-related professional background may be used as evidence.

Form 1000 and a qualifying nominator

A completed and signed Nomination for National Innovation visa (Form 1000) must be submitted with the visa application. The Department will not process an application without it. An individual nominator must have a national reputation in the applicant’s area of talent and be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. An Australian organisation must also have a national reputation in the relevant field, and its signatory must be authorised.

A nomination is a formal attestation, not a purchasable endorsement. Form 1000 says no fee should be paid to a nominator for completing the form. The additional EOI documentation for an expert government-agency nomination applies only to the official Priority Two context; it should not be represented as ordinary State sponsorship.

Age, English and charges

People of any age may apply, but applicants who are under 18 or 55 and over when applying must demonstrate exceptional benefit to the Australian community that is ongoing, sustained and realised soon after migration. This is an additional evidence rule, not a general age exemption.

Applicants aged 18 or over must normally provide functional-English evidence. If an adult applicant does not have functional English, they may state in ImmiAccount that they intend to pay the applicable second instalment. The current base charge is from AUD6,235 for the main applicant. The stated second instalment for an adult without functional English is AUD4,890 and is ordinarily requested only when the Department is preparing to grant the visa. Charges can change: use the live official visa page and Visa Pricing Estimator before lodgement.

Evidence checklist for EOI and application

Before the EOI, prepare the passport biodata page, résumé/CV and highest qualification evidence. EOI documents and supporting material must be in English; non-English documents need English translations. The Department cannot access cloud-storage links, and accepts PDF, JPG or PNG files.

For every core achievement claim, retain independently verifiable primary evidence: awards, national-level research grants, publications or citations, patents, international keynotes, innovation or investment records, sporting or artistic achievements, and independent media or professional-body evidence. Each item should establish date, the person’s actual role, source and relevance to continuing prominence.

After invitation, align the evidence specifically to the achievements identified in the invitation and complete the Form 1000, nominator evidence, age branch, English or second-instalment branch, and any applicable health, character and family documents. The 60-day period is a lodgement deadline, not a promise of time to create missing evidence.

Health, character and family are conditional requirements

The main applicant and applicable family members must meet health and character requirements. Non-migrating family members may also be affected by relevant rules. Health examinations, police certificates, military records, relationship evidence and custody materials depend on the individual circumstances and Department instructions. Family members do not obtain automatic results simply because a principal applicant submits an application.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply directly for the NIV?

No. Submit an EOI to be considered. Only an invited person may lodge a visa application, using the invitation identifier and code within the stated period.

Does an invitation mean the visa will be granted?

No. The invitation is not a grant pre-assessment. The later application is assessed on its merits, evidence and all applicable requirements.

Are P1–P4 separate NIV streams?

No. They are Department invitation and processing priorities, not separate visas, quotas, State pathways or outcome guarantees.

Is there a minimum investment or State nomination for NIV?

The current official NIV eligibility page does not state a fixed investment minimum or general State nomination. The Priority Two government-agency nomination context is limited and should not be broadened into a regional route.

How long after an invitation can I lodge?

The current official period is 60 days from the invitation date and the Department says it cannot extend that period. Check the invitation and live official guidance when acting.

Editorial transparency and boundaries

Author: PremierVisa Content Editorial Team. This general information article is based on Australian Department of Home Affairs public sources and was reviewed on 16 September 2026. It is not legal advice, migration assistance, a personal eligibility opinion or a representation to the Australian Government.

This publication does not arrange nominations or government-agency endorsements and does not promise invitations, grants, permanent residence, citizenship, passports, employment, family outcomes, investment results or processing time. People needing immigration assistance should use the Department’s current guidance on who may lawfully help with an application.

Official sources

National Innovation visa (subclass 858): https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/national-innovation-visa-858

NIV priorities: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/visas-for-innovation/national-innovation-visa/priorities

Submitting an EOI: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/work-in-australia/Pages/visas-for-innovation/submitting-your-expression-of-interest.aspx

After submitting an EOI: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/work-in-australia/Pages/visas-for-innovation/after-submitting-your-expression-of-interest.aspx

Current invitation round: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/visas-for-innovation/national-innovation-visa/current-invitation-round

Form 1000: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/form-listing/forms/1000.pdf

Recent skilled-migration changes: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/skilled-migration-program/recent-changes