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National Innovation Visa 858 Australia 2026: EOI, Invitation Priorities and Talent Criteria
The National Innovation visa (subclass 858) is a permanent invitation-only visa for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement who can make a significant contribution to Australia's future prosperity.
Who is the NIV aimed at?
Home Affairs describes the program as targeting established and emerging leaders with high-calibre talent, including global researchers, entrepreneurs, innovative investors, athletes and creatives.
Official overview: National Innovation Visa.
You must be invited before applying
A person cannot simply lodge a subclass 858 application. The Department must first invite the candidate after considering an Expression of Interest. An EOI is not a visa application and does not guarantee an invitation or visa grant.
EOI validity and 60-day invitation window
A submitted NIV EOI remains in the Department's system for two years. If invited, the candidate has 60 days from the invitation date to lodge the visa application; Home Affairs states that this application period cannot be extended.
Official EOI process: After submitting your NIV EOI.
Current invitation data
For April to June 2026, Home Affairs reported 2,166 NIV EOIs received and 248 invitations issued. Of those invitations, 192 went to Priority Three candidates in Tier One sectors and 38 to Priority Four candidates in Tier Two sectors, with smaller numbers in the two higher priority categories.
Current invitation round data: National Innovation visa invitation rounds.
Invitation is not pre-assessment
Home Affairs expressly states that an invitation is not a pre-assessment that the applicant will satisfy the visa criteria. The visa application is assessed on its merits and supporting evidence, including the achievements on which the invitation was based.
For wider skilled-migration data, see Skilled Migration Statistics Australia 2026.
