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The Global Talent visa (subclass 858) is a permanent visa and an essential part of Australia’s Global Talent Independent program, designed to make it easier and faster for talented individuals with exceptional and outstanding achievement in eligible fields to obtain permanent residency.
This visa targets individuals across a range of areas, including various professions, sports, academia, arts and research, and aims to harness their internationally recognised record of performance for the Australian community.
The program has a limited quota, with eligibility being dependent on international recognition of outstanding achievements, nomination by an approved sponsor and an individual’s potential to contribute to the Australian economy and Australian community. Successful applicants, along with any eligible family members, will be provided the privilege of permanent residency and its associated benefits.
Additionally, applicants should be aware that the Australian Government has announced that the Global Talent visa will be replaced later in 2024. At the time of writing, details about the new ‘National Innovation’ visa are yet to be announced, however, applicants should consider the effects of these changes before making an application for this visa.
There are several eligibility criteria for applicants seeking a Global Talent visa.
Primarily, applicants will be required to demonstrate exceptional talent and have a recognised record of exceptional talent. This can include exceptional and outstanding achievements or international recognition or international standing in a particular field. As stated, this needs to be in identified priority sectors that benefit Australia. These include Academia, the Arts, Defence, Tourism, Financial Services and Fintech, Education, Sports, resources, Agri-food, Advanced Manufacturing and Space. It is important to consider these target sectors before applying for a Global Talent visa.
Furthermore, there are other eligibility criteria that apply including:
There are additional criteria that may apply including, proving exceptional benefit if below the age of 18 or above the age of 55, not having a visa cancelled or previous application refused and must be on a particular type of visa if applying onshore.
The primary benefit of the Global Talent visa is that it provides eligible applicants who are highly skilled professionals and their families a streamlined visa pathway to permanent residence in Australia. This means that successful applicants can reside in Australia indefinitely.
There are additional benefits including:
Resultantly, a Global Talent visa has distinct advantages compared to other visa pathways available, like the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).
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During the application process for a Global Talent visa, applicants will be required to supply the Department with additional information and provide evidence of their eligibility for the visa. While it is difficult to compile a complete list of what is required for each and every application, applicants should provide evidence and documents including:
Applicants should be aware there are two Global Talent visa pathways: the Global Talent visa pathway and the Distinguished Talent visa pathway. The Global Talent pathway provides priority processing for highly skilled applicants that have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievements in target sectors and earn or are likely to earn at the Fair Work High Income threshold. The Distinguished Talent visa pathway is for applicants that have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievements working in sectors other than target sectors.
To apply for the Global Talent pathway, applicants must first submit an expression of interest and receive an invitation to apply. To apply for the Distinguished Talent pathway, an expression of interest and invitation is not required. Applicants should consider whether they will apply under the Global Talent or Distinguished Talent visa pathway before they apply to ensure their application is valid.
Following this confirmation, applicants are required to gather their documents, pay the application charge and lodge their application for the visa online.
Once the application has been validly lodged, the Department will begin considering the visa application. During this time, the Department may request additional information or clarification, as well as direct applicants to undergo various processes. If applicants recognise any mistakes or their circumstances have changed, they should promptly notify the Department before they make their decision.
When the Department has made a decision on the application, they will formally notify the applicant in writing. If the visa is granted, the Department will provide the visa grant number, date the visa starts and any visa conditions to the applicant. If the application is refused, the Department will provide information on why the visa was refused and whether there are any applicable grounds of review.
While individuals are empowered to apply for Global Talent visas independently, using registered migration agents or lawyers such as Australian Migration Lawyers can be immensely beneficial. At Australian Migration Lawyers we are committed to assisting our clients through Australia’s immigration framework with ease and confidence. As a result of our knowledge and experience in handling various types of immigration matters, including visa applications under the Global Talent visa program, an Australian Migration Lawyer can assist applicants at any stage of the process.
There are two main costs with making a Global Talent visa (subclass 858) application
At the time of writing, the visa application fee for Global Talent visas is set by the Australian Government at $4,180 for the primary applicant, $2,095 for any secondary applicants 18 years or older and $1,045 for any secondary applicants under 18 years old.
For applicants over 18 years old that lack the English proficiency required to make a valid application, an additional payment referred to as the second instalment, is necessary to fulfil the English skills required. This fee is $4,890 for each applicant.
There are no charges imposed for submitting an expression of interest for the Global Talent visa pathway.
At Australian Migration Lawyers, we base our pricing on the tailored needs of our clients, acknowledging that no two applications are the same. We achieve this through a fixed-fee model that gives our clients predictability and transparency surrounding the costs for their visa application. Additionally, we offer different payment options and plans to ensure our services are accessible to any client regardless of their financial situation.
Applying for a visa to Australia can be complex. With help from an Australian Migration Lawyer, we can untangle this complexity, and help you apply for the right visa.
Organise a consultation time to speak with one of our lawyers. You can meet with us in person, via Zoom or telephone. Following this, we will send you paperwork that confirms our engagement to represent you.
We will prepare written submissions in support of your visa application. This will be based on your individual circumstances, and supported by evidence where appropriate.
We submit your application to the relevant body (Department of Home Affairs, courts or tribunal). We will continue to update you concerning the status of your application.
We will keep you informed about your application, and notify you of the outcome. If you receive an unfavourable outcome and we can reapply, we will!
How long a visa application may take to process can differ depending on a range of factors. These factors include but are not limited to the current workload of the Department, the application’s complexity and any delays arising from an incomplete, inaccurate or insufficient application being lodged. Given that each application is individually assessed by the Australian Government, it is challenging to predict exactly how long any application may take to process.
Applicants should be aware the Department of Home Affairs provides a provisional estimate of processing times for Global Talent visas on their website. At the time of writing, under the Distinguished Talent visa pathway, 50% of applications are processed in 28 months and 90% are processed in 34 months. At the time of writing, under the Global Talent visa pathway, 50% of applications are processed in 9 months and 90% of applications are processed in 12 months.
Applicants should be aware that after lodging their visa application, they are not able to contact the Department to receive a status update on the processing of their application.
Potential Global Talent visa applicants should be aware that there are important considerations that must be understood when making a visa application.
Furthermore, each visa application is independently assessed by the Australian Government and the Department of Home Affairs has sole discretion over visa adjudication. While Australian Migration Lawyers can not therefore guarantee that every visa application is approved by the Department, we can assist applicants increase their chances of a successful outcome by advising them of how to lodge a ‘decision-ready’ application.
We offer professional migration advice and support, no matter where you are based. Those located in Australia have the choice of meeting with us at one of our offices or online, and for those offshore, we are available to you online.
Read our most frequently asked questions about Global Talent visas
Applicants can apply for the Global Talent visa online. Therefore, once applicants have combined their documents, filled out the application form and paid the relevant application fee, they are able to lodge their application on the Department's official website.
Under the Global Talent program, the Minister has defined particular sectors that the program aims to service. Therefore, occupations that relate to Resources, Agri-food and AgTech, Energy, Health Industries, Defence, Advanced Manufacturing and Space, Circular Economy, DigiTech, Infrastructure and Tourism, Financial Services and Fintech and Education should submit an expression of interest to have their visa applications processed ahead of other applications.
Applicants should be aware that the Global Talent visa is extremely competitive. Furthermore, the Department retains discretion over visa applications and assesses each application individually. This makes it difficult to estimate the success rate of Global Talent visa applications. However, at Australian Migration Lawyers, we can help applicants assess the strength of their application and assist in lodging a ‘decision-ready’ application.
There is no official age limit placed on applications for the Global Talent visa. However, applicants who are under 18 or over 55 should be aware they will need to show they will provide exceptional benefit to Australian society. This is a higher threshold than is already set to successfully be granted this visa.
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