Global Talent Visa
(Subclass 858)

 

The Global Talent Visa, also known as the Global Talent Independent (GTI) Visas, is for experts within specific fields they are targeting to migrate to Australia. For highly skilled individuals within specified sectors – “AUSTRALIA WANTS YOU”. 

This program provides a streamlined and priority visa pathway for highly skilled and talented individuals to migrate to Australia permanently.  This program intends to attract gifted individuals at the top of their field in various “target sectors”. It started in November 2019. 
 
To boost local jobs to support the post-COVID economic recovery, the Government has set up a Global Business and Talent Attraction Taskforce with around 15,000 places annually available in the program. 
 
Eligibility for the Global Talent Independent (GTI Visa) include:
 
  • internationally recognised with evidence of outstanding achievements in their field;
  • still active and prominent in their field of expertise;
  • proof that they would be an asset to Australia in their area of expertise
  • demonstrate they would have no difficulty obtaining employment in Australia or becoming established in their field;
  • be nominated by a recognised organisation or individual in Australia as global talent, in the same field as the applicant
Candidates must meet a high standard and show an exceptional track record of professional achievement. Examples of professional achievement may include senior roles, patents, professional awards and international publications and memberships. Department policy states, “The rationale for the direction is to give priority to applicants viewed as ‘highly desirable because of their skills and salary in sectors identified by the Australian Government as a priority for future industry growth, and with emerging opportunities for Australia’s economy”.
 
On 9 July 2020, the Prime Minister announced that building on the Global Talent Initiative and Business Innovation and Investment Program a new initiative to attract export-orientated Hong Kong-based businesses to Australia.
 

Target Sectors 

An applicant must be highly skilled in one of the following sectors:

  1. AgTech & Agri-food;
  2. Health Industries;
  3. Resources;
  4. Energy;
  5. Defence, Advanced Manufacturing and Space;
  6. Circular Economy;
  7. DigiTech;
  8. Infrastructure and Tourism;
  9. FinTech & Financial Services;
  10. Education

Please contact us to assess whether your occupation falls in any of the above sectors.

 

Eligibility 

To apply for this visa, the individual must first lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) under the Global Talen Program.
 
An individual who is deemed highly skilled in their field is expected to satisfy the Salary Threshold. Fair Work High Income determines the threshold, which is currently set at $153,600. There are various ways in which to fulfil this criterion. Please contact us to discuss further. 
 
To apply for this program, the nominator should endorse the individual. The individual must be recognised as having a national reputation in the same field and industry and satisfy various requirements. 
Historically, the visa subclass for which the individual selected was dependent on the location at the time of the application as follows:
 
  • Subclass 124 - for off-shore individuals;
  •  Subclass 858 – for on-shore individuals.
Please note, however, that Subclass 124 has since closed to new applications.  As such, people can apply for Subclass 858 either on-shore or off-shore.
 
 

DISTINGUISHED TALENT SUBCLASS 858 VISA 

This visa is a stream within the Global Talent Visa (GTV). It is a permanent visa for individuals who have a record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a field mentioned above internationally recognised. There are only 200 places per annum in this stream. 
 
A grant of this visa permits the applicant to remain in Australia to work and study permanently.
 

Visa Requirements

In addition to being nominated, the individual must meet certain requirements.
 

1. When applying for this visa, an individual cannot hold any of the following:

  • Special Purpose visa;
  • Temporary Work visa (subclass 400);
  • Business (Short Stay) visa (subclass 456);
  • Superyacht Crew visa (subclass 488);
  • Visitor visa (subclass 600);
  • Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)
  • eVisitor (Subclass 651);
  • Tourist visa (subclass 676); or
  • Maritime Crew Visa (subclass 988).

2. Age requirements – the individual, can be any age, however, if under 18 years and 55 years or older at the time of application, then the individual must be of exemptional benefit to the Australian community.

3. Must have repaid any dept to the Australian Government.
 

Visa Application Process

Stage 1: Nomination – must be nominated by an eligible individual or organisation.

Stage 2: Visa application – apply either through ImmiAccount (online) or using the specified application form visa post.

 

Supporting Evidence

The critical supporting evidence on achievements in the specific industry. For example:

Sporting Achievements:

  • national and international rankings;
  • results in competitions or tournaments;
  • statements from international sporting bodies,
  • sporting scholarships received;
  • newspaper/magazine articles.

The Arts:

  • books/article published;
  • nation/international sales achieved;
  • awards and commissions received;
  • ticketing results, such as the scale of attendances;
  • recognition by peers;
  • statements from academic bodies etc.

Academia:

  • reports commissioned;
  • books published;
  • article appearing in industry journals;
  • information from government, professional, scientific bodies;
  • Honours and accolades such as prizes, i.e. Nobel Prize in a specific area;
  • Memberships to particular bodies, groups etc.;
  • Professional titles such as PhD. Professor etc.;
  • Receipt of government grants for the specific area of research.

Specific industry authorities may be able to provide preliminary assessments on eligibility for the GTI program, an example is the Australian Computer Society (ACS) which assesses the eligibility for ICT professionals.

Send us a message if you would like to apply for this visa, and we can assist in assessing your eligibility.

 
 
 
 

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