An exceptional record
Internationally recognised achievement in a profession, sport, the arts or academia and research.
Australia · National Innovation Visa
National Innovation Visa: permanent residence for exceptional achievers
For people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement, nominated by someone of national reputation in their field.
- Status
- Permanent residence
- Starts with
- Expression of interest
- Needs
- A nominator
- Focus
- Priority sectors
what the route asks for
The requirements, in plain terms
General information, not legal advice. Your legal partner confirms how each point applies to you.
Still prominent in the field
Evidence that the achievement is current, not only historic.
An asset to Australia
A credible case that your work will benefit Australia, and that you can establish yourself there.
A nominator of national reputation
An Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen or Australian organisation, in the same field as you.
in detail
Priority areas
Applicants in these areas are prioritised. Others can still apply.
- 1Critical technologies
- 2Clean energy
- 3Health industries
- 4Agriculture technology
- 5Defence and space
- 6Education
- 7Financial technology
- 8Infrastructure and resources
how we build it
An National Innovation Visa file, step by step
Indicative timings for a typical file. Yours depends on how much evidence already exists.
- 01
Achievement summary
Week 1–2A tight account of the record for the expression of interest.
- 02
Nominator strategy
Week 2–6Who in Australia knows your work, and the brief they need before they sign.
- 03
Evidence file
Week 4–9Indexed against each requirement, trimmed to what a case officer will read.
- 04
Lodgement
On invitationA registered migration agent lodges the visa application and handles correspondence.
National Innovation Visa faq
Still unsure? Ask usCommon questions about National Innovation Visa
An Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, an eligible New Zealand citizen, or an Australian organisation — with a national reputation in the same field as you.
Yes. It is a permanent residence visa for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement.
With an expression of interest. Applicants who are invited then lodge the full visa application with their evidence.
The government publishes priority areas, such as critical technologies, clean energy, health, agriculture technology, defence and space, education, financial technology, and infrastructure and resources. Applicants outside them can still apply.
the other routes
next step
Start hereFind out which country your record fits
One assessment, scored against the US, UK and Australian routes. You get a written answer, not a sales call.