Subclass 858 visa: National Innovation

Streams

The 858 has no streams. Home Affairs' 858 page lists four areas of achievement: a profession, a sport, the arts, and academia and research. It says it processes applications in line with Ministerial Direction No. 120, which sets the processing order.

858 visa requirements

Home Affairs lists these on the Eligibility tab of its 858 page:

• Invitation. Applicants can only apply if Home Affairs invites them, after an Expression of Interest.
• Nomination on Form 1000. A completed Form 1000, signed by a nominator with a national reputation in the same area who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen or Australian organisation.
• Exceptional record. An internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a profession, sport, the arts, or academia and research, in an area recognised in Australia with international standing.
• Still prominent. Still active in the area, with recent exceptional achievements.
• Asset to Australia. An economic, social or cultural contribution, or one that raises Australia's academic, artistic or sports standing internationally.
• Able to establish themselves. Able to find work, or become independently established, in their area in Australia without difficulty.
• Age. Any age. Applicants under 18, or 55 or older, must be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community.
• English. Applicants 18 and over need at least functional English, or pay a second instalment.
• Current visa (if in Australia). A substantive visa or a Bridging A, B or C visa.
• Health. The applicant and family members must meet the health requirement, including family not coming to Australia in some cases.
• Character. The applicant and family members 16 and over must meet the character requirement.
• Debts. No debt to the Australian Government, including family members', unless paid or under an arrangement.
• Australian values. Applicants 18 and over sign the Australian Values Statement.
• Immigration history. A past visa cancellation or refusal may affect eligibility.

What the visa lets you do

According to Home Affairs' 858 page, the visa lets holders:

• stay in Australia permanently
• work and study in Australia
• enrol in Medicare
• attend free English classes through the Adult Migrant English Program, if eligible
• sponsor relatives to come to Australia
• travel to and from Australia for 5 years from grant
• apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible.

After 5 years, a Resident Return visa (subclass 155 or 157) is needed to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident. Home Affairs says it expects holders to contribute to Australia in their area of expertise. Newly arrived residents may need to wait for some government payments.

Family members and cost

Members of the family unit can be included at lodgement or added before a decision, using Form 1436. Applicants under 18 can only include their parents and members of that parent's family unit. Family members who apply must meet the health and character requirements.

Home Affairs' Visa Pricing table lists these charges for the 858:

Home Affairs asks for the second instalment only if it is going to grant the visa. From 1 July 2026, a lower visa cost applies to eligible citizens of Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste. Health checks, police certificates and biometrics cost extra.

Step by step

This follows the Step by step tab of Home Affairs' 858 page.

Before you apply

1. Find a nominator willing to attest to the applicant's achievements on Form 1000.
2. Submit an Expression of Interest through Home Affairs' National Innovation visa form. An invitation includes a unique reference to use in the application.

Apply

1. Gather documents that support the achievements claimed in the EOI, such as major international awards, plus nominator documents, evidence of the ability to establish in Australia, functional English evidence, and identity and character documents.
2. Apply online in ImmiAccount within 60 days of the invitation, attach the completed Form 1000 and pay the charge.

After you apply

1. Home Affairs may ask for health examinations or more information. It may decide the application without asking.
2. Family members can be added before a decision. Changes in circumstances must be reported.
3. Home Affairs tells the applicant its decision in writing.

Applying in or outside Australia

Home Affairs says applicants can be in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when they apply and when it decides the application. Applicants in Australia must hold a substantive visa or a Bridging A, B or C visa (858 page).

858 visa processing time

Home Affairs publishes current processing times in its visa processing times guide.

Compare: 858, 189 and 186