National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858)
The achievement-based, invitation-only permanent visa that launched in December 2024 — and the headline replacement after the BIIP business visa closed.
MARN 1576536 · Verifiable at mara.gov.au · Updated 28 May 2026
What is the National Innovation Visa?
The National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858) is a permanent visa launched by the Australian Government on 6 December 2024. The Department of Home Affairs describes it as a visa for people who have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in an eligible field, and who would be an asset to Australia.
It was introduced as part of the Government's Migration Strategy to attract individuals who can drive growth in sectors of national importance. The 858 replaced the Global Talent visa program and, alongside the closure of the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP), reshaped the high-end migration landscape entirely.
Two things that surprise people about the 858
1. It's not investment-based. Unlike the closed 188 streams, there's no set investment amount or asset threshold. Selection is on achievement and benefit to Australia.
2. You can't just lodge an application. The 858 is invitation-only. You submit an Expression of Interest first; only invited applicants can apply.
Who is the 858 for?
The 858 is aimed at a narrow, high-calibre group. The Department's language — "internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement" — sets the bar deliberately high. In practice, applicants who succeed tend to demonstrate:
- International recognition in their field — not just local or national success, but a record recognised beyond Australia.
- Current prominence — they are still active and prominent in the field, not resting on past achievement.
- Benefit to Australia — their presence would bring economic, social or cultural benefit, ideally in a sector of national priority.
- An eligible field — their achievement sits within the fields the Department currently targets for the visa.
This is a different applicant from the BIIP era. The closed 188 was built for successful business owners and investors who met financial thresholds. The 858 is built for individuals of exceptional standing — researchers, entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders whose achievement is internationally recognised.
How the 858 works: the EOI invitation process
The 858 is invitation-only. The pathway has a distinct front-end step that the closed business visas did not:
- Expression of Interest (EOI). You submit an EOI setting out your achievement record, field, and the benefit you would bring to Australia.
- Department assessment. The Department assesses EOIs against its current priorities and the eligible fields in force at the time.
- Invitation. Only applicants the Department invites can lodge a visa application. There is no open application channel — no invitation, no application.
- Visa application. Invited applicants lodge the 858 application and are assessed against the full criteria.
Because of the invitation step, the most important work happens before any application — building an EOI that accurately and compellingly evidences an internationally recognised achievement record against the Department's current priorities. For the current EOI process, eligible fields, and full criteria, see the Department of Home Affairs 858 visa page.
858 vs the closed 188 business visa: what actually changed
If you arrived here researching "what replaced the 188", this is the key comparison. The 858 is the headline replacement — but the selection logic is completely different.
| Closed 188 (BIIP) | 858 National Innovation Visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Selection basis | Investment / business assets + points | Internationally recognised achievement |
| Investment threshold | Yes — set per stream (e.g. $2.5M, $5M) | None |
| Visa type | Provisional (then 888 permanent) | Permanent from the outset |
| Entry channel | EOI + state nomination, then apply | EOI, invitation-only |
| Status for new applicants | Closed (31 July 2024) | Open (launched 6 Dec 2024) |
The practical takeaway: a successful business owner who would have qualified under the old 188 investor streams does not automatically qualify for the 858. The 858 asks a different question — not "how much can you invest?" but "is your achievement internationally recognised?"
Honest assessment: is the 858 right for you?
For most prospective business migrants, the honest answer is that the 858 will not be the right pathway — and that's by design. The Department set the threshold high. The 858 is for individuals whose achievements are recognised internationally, not for locally successful business owners or investors.
That doesn't mean you're out of options. If you don't meet the 858 bar, the realistic pathways in 2026 are:
- Subclass 132 Business Talent — where you meet the financial and nomination requirements.
- Subclass 482 self-sponsorship — through a genuine, viable Australian business that can sustain the sponsorship.
- 491 / 494 regional pathways — for skilled or employer-sponsored regional migration.
The single most valuable first step for the 858 is an honest pre-EOI assessment: does your achievement record genuinely meet the Department's "internationally recognised" threshold? An EOI that won't be invited is wasted effort. See the full set of business migration pathways on our Business Visa Australia 2026 guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858)?
The National Innovation Visa is a permanent Australian visa launched on 6 December 2024. It is for individuals with an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in an eligible field who would be an asset to Australia. It replaced the Global Talent visa program and is the headline pathway introduced after the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) closed to new applicants on 31 July 2024.
Is the 858 the replacement for the closed 188 business visa?
It is the headline replacement, but it is not a like-for-like swap. The closed Subclass 188 selected business owners and investors against asset and investment thresholds. The 858 is achievement-based, not investment-based, and sets a materially higher bar — an internationally recognised record of exceptional achievement. Many former BIIP-target applicants will not meet the 858 threshold and should look at other pathways (132 Business Talent, 482 self-sponsorship, regional options).
Is the National Innovation Visa investment-based?
No. Unlike the closed BIIP 188 streams, the 858 does not require a set investment amount or business asset threshold. Selection is based on the applicant's achievement, standing in their field, and the economic, social or cultural benefit they would bring to Australia — not on how much capital they can invest.
How do I apply for the 858 — can I just lodge an application?
No. The 858 is invitation-only. You first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). The Department of Home Affairs assesses EOIs against current priorities and only invited applicants can lodge a visa application. There is no open application channel — the EOI and invitation step come first.
What fields are eligible for the National Innovation Visa?
The 858 targets individuals who can drive growth in sectors of national importance to Australia. The Department publishes the current eligible fields and priority areas, and these can be revised. Confirm the current eligible fields and any sector priorities on the Department of Home Affairs 858 page before preparing an EOI.
What happens if I don't meet the 858 achievement bar?
Most prospective business migrants will not meet the 858's exceptional-achievement threshold — and that's expected. Practical alternatives include the Subclass 132 Business Talent visa (where you qualify), Subclass 482 self-sponsorship through a genuine viable business, and the 491/494 regional pathways. A migration agent can assess which alternative fits your profile before you invest time in an EOI that won't be invited.
How long does the National Innovation Visa take?
Processing time depends on the EOI assessment and invitation stage as well as the visa decision stage, and the Department revises published processing times from time to time. Because the 858 is invitation-only, the overall timeline includes the time to be invited, which is not fixed. Confirm current processing times at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
This page describes the Subclass 858 National Innovation Visa in general terms as at 28 May 2026. It is not migration advice for any specific person and is not a guarantee that any applicant will be invited or granted a visa. Eligible fields, EOI settings, priorities and processing times are set by the Department of Home Affairs and revised from time to time — verify current settings at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before acting. No migration agent can guarantee a visa outcome — this is a requirement of section 15 of the Migration Agents Code of Conduct 2022. Migration advice for a specific matter is provided only after a paid initial consultation under section 43.
MARN 1576536 · Verifiable at mara.gov.au
Considering an 858 EOI?
Start with an honest pre-EOI assessment of whether your achievement record meets the Department's "internationally recognised" threshold — before you invest time in an Expression of Interest. 30 minutes via Zoom, $200 + GST, tax invoice with MARN issued.
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