Visa subclass 858 · Talent and innovation · permanent
Subclass 858 Global Talent / Distinguished Talent: 2026 eligibility, points and processing
The 858 is Australia’s distinguished talent permanent residence visa, used for the National Innovation visa stream (formerly Global Talent Independent or GTI). It targets internationally recognised top talent in priority sectors.
★Key takeaways
- ✓Subclass 858 Global Talent / Distinguished Talent is a permanent visa for talent and innovation applicants.
- ✓No points test – eligibility is sponsorship + skills assessment + work experience based.
- ✓Processing: 5 months median (source: Department of Home Affairs Global Visa Processing Times, January 2026).
- ✓Primary VAC1: $4,840. VAC2 (English): $4,885 where applicable.
- ✓Path to PR: PR from grant.
At a glance
Stream
permanent, open for new applications
Age limit
No formal age cap but applicants under 18 or over 55 must demonstrate exceptional benefit to Australia.
Work rights
Unrestricted PR work rights from grant.
Path to PR
PR from grant. Citizenship eligible after 4 years’ lawful residence including 12 months as PR.
Eligibility
Eligibility checklist
Every box below must tick before lodgement. Missing any one of them either makes the visa impossible or pushes the applicant into a different subclass.
- Internationally recognised in a profession or field of endeavour, with a record of exceptional and outstanding achievement
- Still prominent in the field
- Asset to the Australian community: would contribute to Australia’s economic, social, civic or cultural life
- Salary in the relevant field of $169,235 (Fair Work High Income Threshold) or above as evidence of recognition (or equivalent in academic / arts / sports fields)
- Nominated by an Australian organisation, citizen or PR active in the field
- Health and character requirements
Processing time
How long does it take?
Published by Home Affairs as 25th, 50th and 90th percentile times. Individual processing can be faster or slower depending on documentation, country of passport and decision-ready status.
| 25% of applications | 50% (median) | 90% of applications |
|---|---|---|
| 2 months | 5 months | 14 months |
Department of Home Affairs Global Visa Processing Times, January 2026. See current processing times across all subclasses.
Cost
Visa Application Charge
| Applicant | VAC1 (lodgement) |
|---|---|
| Primary applicant | $4,840 |
| Partner (secondary) | $2,425 |
| Child (secondary) | $1,215 |
| VAC2 (non-functional English, primary) | $4,885 |
VAC1 from 1 July 2025. Designed to be fast-tracked for top-tier candidates.
In depth
What you actually need to know
The 858 is the merge-point for two formerly separate pathways: the legacy Distinguished Talent visa (which dates to the 1990s) and the Global Talent Independent (GTI) program which ran from 2019 to December 2024. The National Innovation visa is the current branding of the 858 GTI stream.
The bar is genuinely high. “Internationally recognised” means peer-reviewed achievements, prizes, senior leadership positions or comparable evidence in the candidate’s field. A $169,235 salary alone is not a sufficient claim; it is one indicator among many. Strong applications include unsolicited peer endorsements, named board positions, citation metrics for academics, and case studies of high-impact work.
The nominator must be active in the candidate’s field and prepared to formally vouch for the candidate’s standing. Nominator quality matters: a nomination from a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science weighs differently from one from a small consulting firm.
Visa conditions to know
- Standard PR conditions
Occupations covered
Priority sectors as at January 2026: AgriTech, Civil construction, Defence, MedTech, Financial Services, Renewables, Quantum, Space, Software / AI.
Pathway to permanent residence
PR from grant. Citizenship eligible after 4 years’ lawful residence including 12 months as PR.
Common questions
Subclass 858 Global Talent / Distinguished Talent – common questions
Is the Global Talent Independent program closed?
The GTI program label closed in December 2024. The 858 visa remains open under the National Innovation stream branding, targeting the same priority sectors and using the same evidentiary framework.
Do I need a job offer for 858?
No, but you need a nominator (an Australian citizen, PR or organisation active in your field) and you need evidence that you can prosper in Australia (your record + sector demand + likely employer interest).
What is the salary threshold?
The $169,235 (Fair Work High Income Threshold) is a benchmark of international recognition for industry applicants. It is not a strict requirement, especially for academics, artists and high-impact non-corporate professionals. The Department wants evidence of recognition; salary is one signal.
How is the 858 different from the 482 Specialist Skills stream?
The 858 is PR; Specialist Skills is a 4-year temporary employer-sponsored visa. The 858 requires international recognition in a priority sector; Specialist Skills requires only a salary above the high-income threshold from an approved sponsor. Many 858 candidates have a 482 SS as a fallback if 858 fails.
Source
Primary source for this page
Information on this page is summarised from the Department of Home Affairs visa listing for subclass 858. Always confirm details against the primary source before lodging.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/national-innovation-858 →