OpenAustralia
Australia National Innovation Visa (NIV, Subclass 858): Cost, Requirements & Processing Time (2026)
The short version
Australia National Innovation Visa (NIV, Subclass 858) has a minimum investment of €0 via the talent-based (no investment) route and is currently open.
[Data] Australian Department of Home Affairs · verified
Programme detail
Australia National Innovation Visa (NIV, Subclass 858) requires a minimum investment of €0 (talent-based (no investment) route); the end-to-end processing time is not published, with a path to citizenship in 4 years.
Investment routes compared
| Route type | Amount (EUR) | Notes | Primary? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Talent-based (no investment) | No financial investment | Proven exceptional achievement in Professions, Sport, Arts, or Academia/Research. State/territory/Australian-organisation endorsement required before application. |
At a glance
- €0 minimum qualifying investment
- not published expected end-to-end processing
- 4 years of residence citizenship timeline
- No Schengen access travel rights
- No minimum stay physical-presence requirement
- Authority processing metric
- The authority does not publish an end-to-end processing range on 2026-10-01.
Physical presence: The stored physical-presence figure is not found on the authority page on 2026-10-01.
Official program source · Source: Australian Department of Home Affairs · Last verified Oct 11, 2026 · Verify current rules with an authorized immigration adviser or the destination's consulate before applying.
Next review 2026-11-11.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum investment for the Australia National Innovation Visa (NIV, Subclass 858)?
The minimum qualifying investment is €0. No financial investment required. Invitation-only, based on exceptional achievement in a specific field. Qualifying routes: Talent-based (no investment) (€0) Most applicants use the Talent-based (no investment) route (€0).
How long does the Australia National Innovation Visa (NIV, Subclass 858) take to process?
Expected end-to-end processing is not published.
Can I get citizenship through the Australia National Innovation Visa (NIV, Subclass 858), and when?
Citizenship is available after 4 years of legal residence. Standard Australian citizenship pathway from PR.
What is the physical-presence requirement for the Australia National Innovation Visa (NIV, Subclass 858)?
The stored physical-presence figure is not found on the authority page on 2026-10-01.
Are my spouse and children included in the Australia National Innovation Visa (NIV, Subclass 858)?
Spouse, minor children, dependent adult children can be included.
Does the Australia National Innovation Visa (NIV, Subclass 858) grant Schengen access?
No. Australia National Innovation Visa (NIV, Subclass 858) does not by itself grant Schengen-area travel rights.
Is the Australia National Innovation Visa (NIV, Subclass 858) currently open to new applicants?
The programme is currently open. Launched 7 December 2024, replacing the Global Talent Visa (GTV) and Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP).
Who regulates the Australia National Innovation Visa (NIV, Subclass 858)?
Australia National Innovation Visa (NIV, Subclass 858) is administered by Australian Department of Home Affairs. The canonical source is https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/national-innovation-visa-858. Facts last verified 2026-10-11; next review 2026-11-11.