Australia National Innovation Visa (858) for Indians: Who Qualifies

The 858 sits at the top end of Australia's permanent visas. Its core criteria centre on achievement and a nominator rather than a points score or a job offer, but the bar is high and nobody can apply without an invitation. The criteria and charges below are as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026. For the full list of Australian visas open to Indians, see our Australia visa page for Indian passport holders.

Who qualifies for the National Innovation visa?

Home Affairs sets three core requirements:

1. An invitation. You submit an Expression of Interest, are invited, and then apply within 60 days of the invitation.
2. An exceptional record. You must have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in one of four areas: a profession, a sport, the arts, or academia and research.
3. A nominator. Someone with a national reputation in your field must nominate you.

The words that carry the weight are 'internationally recognised' and 'exceptional and outstanding'. Before you spend time on an Expression of Interest, test your record honestly against them. Is your recognition international, or mainly within India or within one employer? Does your work fall clearly into one of the four listed areas? Can you name a person or organisation in Australia with a national reputation in your field who knows your work? If any answer is weak, the alternatives further down may suit you better. Read the full criteria on the Home Affairs 858 page, because it lists further conditions beyond these three core points.

Who can nominate an Indian applicant?

Your nominator must have a national reputation in the same field as you. Home Affairs accepts four kinds of nominator:

In practice, the nominator could be an Australian university, research body or sporting organisation, or an Australian citizen or permanent resident peer, provided they hold a national reputation in your field. A nominator from outside your field does not meet the test.

How does the invitation process work?

The 858 runs on invitation, so the order of steps matters:

• Expression of Interest. You register your interest first; this is not the visa application.
• Invitation. Home Affairs invites selected candidates. Without an invitation you cannot lodge the visa.
• Application within 60 days. Once invited, you have 60 days to apply, so have your evidence and nominator ready before the invitation arrives.

Australian visa applications are lodged online. There is no VFS Global centre for Australian visas in India, and India is not on the list of Australian Biometrics Collection Centre locations (correct as of March 2026); Home Affairs tells you if it needs biometrics. Processing times are published on the Home Affairs global visa processing times page, which is the place to check the current 858 figure before you plan a move date.

How much does the 858 cost for you and your family?

Home Affairs charges in AUD and publishes no rupee amount. The 858 charges, with the other permanent skilled visas for comparison:

Your bank's exchange rate on the day you pay decides the rupee cost.

Where does permanent residence lead?

The 858 is a permanent visa, so it starts the clock toward Australian citizenship by conferral. Home Affairs' general residence requirement is:

• You have lived in Australia on a valid visa for 4 years immediately before applying.
• You have held a permanent visa for the last 12 months immediately before applying.
• You have not been absent for more than 12 months in total in the past 4 years, including no more than 90 days in the 12 months before applying.

The citizenship fee is AUD 285 for applicants aged 18 to 59, who must also sit the citizenship test.

What if your record doesn't meet the 858 standard?

Several other routes lead to Australian permanent residence. The main ones, with their official headline conditions:

• Skilled Independent (189): under 45 when invited, at least 65 points, a suitable skills assessment and at least Competent English.
• Skilled Nominated (190): the same basics, plus nomination by a state or territory government agency.
• Employer Nomination Scheme (186), Direct Entry: an employer nomination for a Core Skills Occupation List job paying at least AUD 79,423 (nominations lodged 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027), at least 3 years of relevant experience, and under 45 unless exempt.
• Skills in Demand (482): employer-sponsored temporary work for up to 4 years, which can later lead to the 186. Indian citizens received 6,220 primary 482 grants from 1 July to 31 December 2025, 18.1% of all primary grants and the largest citizenship group, according to Home Affairs' temporary resident (skilled) report.

If you were looking for a business route, note that the Business Innovation and Investment (subclass 188) Business Innovation stream closed to new applications on 31 July 2024.

Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, travel itineraries and cover letters for visa files, with packages from INR 1,000 (flight reservation) to INR 3,000 (full set). If you are planning an exploratory visit to Australia first, WhatsApp us on +91 95230 91018 or use our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for the 858 without an invitation?

No. The National Innovation visa is by invitation only. You submit an Expression of Interest, and only invited candidates can lodge the visa application, within 60 days of the invitation.

Can my spouse and children be included in an 858 application?

Yes. Home Affairs lists charges for family members: AUD 3,120 for each family member aged 18 or over and AUD 1,560 for each family member under 18, on top of the AUD 6,235 main applicant charge.

Do I need to visit VFS in India for the National Innovation visa?

No. Australian visa applications are lodged online, and there is no VFS Global centre for Australian visas in India. Home Affairs tells you if biometrics are needed.

Is the 858 a temporary or permanent visa?

Permanent. Holders can later apply for Australian citizenship by conferral once they meet the residence requirement of 4 years' lawful residence, including 12 months as a permanent resident.