Australia National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858)

Value: what the National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858) gives you

Passport: visa-free destinations

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Years to permanent residence

ImmediatelyOfficial, secondaryNSW Government, checked 2026-11-15NSW confirms the federal visa grants permanent residence.

Years to citizenship

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Leads to citizenship

YesOfficialDepartment of Home Affairs, checked 2026-11-15Permanent residents may apply for citizenship if eligible; no timeline inferred.

Can work for a local employer

YesOfficialDepartment of Home Affairs, checked 2026-11-15Permanent residents may work and study in Australia; some government jobs and other citizen-only rights remain restricted.

Same application for spouse and children

YesOfficialAustralian Federal Register of Legislation, checked 2026-11-15Spouse or de facto partner and eligible dependent children may combine their applications with the principal; separate charges and eligibility checks apply.

Public healthcare

YesOfficialServices Australia, checked 2026-11-15Permanent residents living in Australia can enrol in Medicare; long-term residence overseas can end enrolment and Medicare cannot be used outside Australia.

Minimum stay per year

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Tax on foreign income

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Dual citizenship allowed

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Rule changes, last 24 months

ChangedOfficialAustralian Federal Register of Legislation, checked 2026-11-15The 2026 fee schedule distinguishes ordinary NIV applicants from eligible Pacific-regional passport holders; primary and family charges differ.

Cost: what the National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858) costs over five years

Government fees

$4,230.67OfficialAustralian Federal Register of Legislation, checked 2026-11-15Ordinary non-Pacific-concession adult applying online with functional English: AUD6,235 first instalment and nil second instalment; applicants lacking functional English may owe an additional AUD4,890. USD conversion: AUD 6235.00 using ECB, 2026-11-13.

Non-refundable contribution

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Due diligence

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Compulsory extras, first year

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Renewal fees, first 5 years

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Investment you may get back

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Minimum income per month

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Extra for a spouse and two children

$4,234.07OfficialAustralian Federal Register of Legislation, checked 2026-11-15Ordinary non-Pacific-concession family with a functional-English spouse and two children under 18: AUD3,120 + 2 × AUD1,560; a non-exempt adult lacking functional English adds AUD4,890. USD conversion: AUD 6240.00 using ECB, 2026-11-13.

Typical adviser fees (not in the total)

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USD estimates use the 13 November 2026 reference rates of the European Central Bank, Central Bank of Armenia and Central Bank of the UAE, and the Central Bank of Uruguay rate for UYU. The Panamanian balboa uses its official one-to-one parity.

Speed: how long the National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858) takes

Official processing time

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Reported processing time (median)

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Approval to card or passport

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Sources

1. National Innovation Visa questions, NSW Government. Checked 2026-11-15.
2. Permanent resident entitlements, Department of Home Affairs. Checked 2026-11-15.
3. Medicare for permanent residents, Services Australia. Checked 2026-11-15.
4. Migration Regulations 1994 — compilation 289, 2 October 2026, Schedule 1 item 1113, Australian Federal Register of Legislation. Checked 2026-11-15.

Every figure on this page last reviewed 2026-11-15. General information, not legal advice. Spotted an error? Email us from the contact page.

Related programs

• AU Australia Australian Citizenship by Descent
• FR France Talent — Project Leader: Company Creation
• FR France Talent — Project Leader: Innovative Economic Project
• IE Ireland Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)
• JP Japan J-Find: Future Creation Individual
• NL Netherlands Start-up Residence Permit

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