Australia · Startup Visa
Australia's National Innovation Visa (858)
Australia closed its business innovation visas in 2024. Founders now look to the National Innovation visa, an invitation-only permanent visa for people with an internationally recognized record of exceptional achievement, a group that includes entrepreneurs and innovative investors.
- Startup route
- National Innovation visa (subclass 858)
- Minimum capital
- No investment threshold; exceptional record required
- Permanent residence
- Immediate on visa grant
- Citizenship
- 4 years' residence incl. 12 months as PR
National Innovation visa (subclass 858)
Status: Invitation-only; an Expression of Interest comes first
The National Innovation visa replaced the Global Talent visa when the Migration Amendment (National Innovation Visa) Regulations 2024 took effect on 6 December 2024. It is a permanent visa for established and emerging leaders, and Home Affairs names global researchers, entrepreneurs, innovative investors, athletes and creatives among its targets. Applicants need an internationally recognized record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a profession, a sport, the arts, or academia and research, plus a nominator with a national reputation in the same field. Nobody can apply without an invitation: candidates lodge an Expression of Interest, which stays active for two years, and invited applicants have 60 days to apply.
- Visa type
- Permanent from the day of grant
- Invitation
- Expression of Interest, active for 2 years
- Apply within
- 60 days of the invitation
- Nominator
- Form 1000 from a person or body with a national reputation
- Government fee
- Varies; see the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator
- English
- Functional English, or a AUD 4,890 second instalment
- Processing order
- Set by Ministerial Direction No. 120
- Leads to
- Citizenship once the residence requirement is met
Requirements
- An internationally recognized record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a profession, a sport, the arts, or academia and research.
- Recent achievements showing continued prominence in that field.
- A Form 1000 signed by a nominator of national reputation: an Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen or Australian organization.
- Evidence of being an asset to the Australian community and able to find work or become established in the field without difficulty.
- Applicants under 18, or aged 55 and over, must be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community.
- Health and character requirements, no outstanding Australian government debt and a signed Australian Values Statement.
How to apply
- Submit an Expression of Interest online with a passport bio-data page, a CV and evidence of the highest qualification, all in English.
- Wait for an invitation; the EOI remains active for two years and then expires.
- If invited, lodge the application in ImmiAccount within 60 days, attaching the signed Form 1000.
- Supply evidence matching the achievements claimed in the EOI, plus identity, health and character documents.
Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188), Entrepreneur stream
Status: Closed to new applications on 31 July 2024
Until mid-2024, Australia's dedicated startup route was the Entrepreneur stream of the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa. It required a state or territory nomination and a legally enforceable funding agreement of at least AUD 200,000 with a third party, with at least 10% payable within 12 months of the activity starting. The whole Business Innovation and Investment Program closed permanently to new applications on 31 July 2024. Applications lodged before that date are still processed within the permanent Migration Program planning levels, and applicants who withdraw on or after that date can request a refund of the visa application charge through ImmiAccount.
- Closed
- 31 July 2024, to all new applications
- Pending files
- Still processed within Migration Program levels
- Refunds
- VAC refund if withdrawn on or after 31 July 2024
- Stay
- Up to 5 years on the provisional visa
- Leads to
- Subclass 888 permanent visa, Entrepreneur stream
Requirements
- A nomination by a state or territory government agency.
- A third-party funding agreement worth at least AUD 200,000.
- Payment of at least 10% of the funding to the entrepreneurial entity within 12 months.
How to apply
- Pending applicants can wait for a decision or withdraw in ImmiAccount.
- After a formal withdrawal notice, request the refund under My Payments, choosing voluntary withdrawal of a BIIP application.
Who the National Innovation visa favors
Ministerial Direction No. 120 sets the order in which Home Affairs handles applications. Global experts who hold top international awards come first, followed by people nominated on Form 1000 by an expert Australian Government agency or a state or territory government agency. Next come applicants with exceptional achievements in tier 1 sectors, meaning critical technologies, renewables and low-emission technologies, and health industries. Tier 2 covers agri-food and agtech, defense and space, education, financial services and fintech, infrastructure and transport, and resources. All other applications follow.
For agency-nominated applicants, the Direction tells decision makers to weigh a broader range of achievements. These include significant angel investors with a record of backing successful ventures, people who have led internationally reputed companies to an initial public offering, and promising entrepreneurial activity likely to commercialize a product or build a business in Australia, particularly when linked to state or territory startup incubators. Earnings at or above the Fair Work high income threshold, international patents and recent keynote talks at major conferences also count.
Questions and answers
Does Australia still have a startup visa?
Not a dedicated one. The Entrepreneur stream of the subclass 188 visa closed with the rest of the Business Innovation and Investment Program on 31 July 2024. Founders now apply through the National Innovation visa, which is open to entrepreneurs and innovative investors but requires an invitation and an exceptional, internationally recognized record.
Is there a minimum investment for the National Innovation visa?
No investment or capital threshold applies. The visa turns on an exceptional and outstanding record of achievement, attested by a nominator with a national reputation. Evidence can include a record of backing successful ventures, leading a company to an IPO, international patents or earnings at or above the Fair Work high income threshold.
Which sectors get priority for the National Innovation visa?
After global experts and agency-nominated applicants, Ministerial Direction No. 120 gives priority to tier 1 sectors: critical technologies, renewables and low-emission technologies, and health industries. Tier 2 follows with agri-food and agtech, defense and space, education, financial services and fintech, infrastructure and transport, and resources.
Can I apply for the National Innovation visa without an invitation?
No. Home Affairs does not accept applications lodged without an invitation or outside the 60-day window that follows it. Candidates first submit an Expression of Interest, which stays active for two years. An invitation is not a pre-assessment of eligibility, and the application is decided on its own merits and evidence.
Official sources
- National Innovation visa (subclass 858) - Department of Home Affairsimmi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- National Innovation Visa - Department of Home Affairsimmi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- Direction No. 120 - Order for considering and disposing of Class BX visa applicationsimmi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- BIIP closure and refunds - Department of Home Affairsimmi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa, Entrepreneur stream - Department of Home Affairsimmi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority or a licensed adviser before applying.
Your path in Australia.
Startup visa
National Innovation visa by invitation after an Expression of Interest
02Temporary residence
No provisional stage on the NIV; subclass 188 closed to new applicants
03Permanent residence
PR from grant; 5-year travel facility, then a Resident Return visa
04Citizenship
Conferral after 4 years in Australia, the last 12 months as a permanent resident