Assessment before commitment
Before you sign, we assess your background and evidence against the official criteria and tell you honestly how strong your case is; if it is not ready, we advise strengthening it first.
Australia business immigration
Australia National Innovation Visa (NIV) — Incubator Pathway
Build an innovative project through an Australian incubator and apply for the National Innovation visa as an entrepreneur — your whole family receives permanent residence on approval.
Programme overview
The National Innovation visa (NIV, subclass 858) is an invitation-only permanent visa for entrepreneurs, researchers and innovative investors. The visa itself sets no investment amount. Under the incubator pathway we use, an Australian incubator helps you build an innovative project, partner with research institutions on R&D, secure a Form 1000 nomination and prepare your expression of interest, applying as an entrepreneur. On approval your whole family receives permanent residence directly, with no temporary visa first.
Dedicated professional team · Mandarin, Cantonese and English · Reply within one working day
Programme feeUSD 160,000 in total
StatusPermanent residence on approval
ProcessingUsually about 8–15 months
FamilySpouse and dependent children
Summary
The incubator pathway’s programme fee totals USD 160,000, covering incubation, R&D partnerships and application support. You wholly own the project company, and incubation lasts about two years. The incubator helps secure the Form 1000 nomination and prepare the expression of interest; once invited, you lodge the visa application and your whole family receives permanent residence directly. The NIV is invitation-only and competitive, and not every expression of interest is invited.
Key benefits of Australia NIV
- Permanent residence for the whole family on approval, with no temporary stage
- No points test, job offer or business performance requirement
- You wholly own the project company — the incubator takes no equity
- Once the visa is granted, permanent residence remains valid even if the project does not go as planned
- Apply for citizenship after four years of residence, when eligible
Why Global Immigrate for Australia NIV
- families approved
- 10+
- approval rate
- 90%
- offering this programme since
- 2025
Evidence and argument strategy
A team that knows the assessment standards plans your evidence, recommendation letters and personal statement, addressing each criterion in turn.
Planning for renewal and permanent residence
From the first application we plan for the conditions of renewal and permanent residence, not just the first step of entry.
Clear, transparent fees
All service fees and third-party costs are set out in writing before you sign — no hidden charges — and our refund terms are explained clearly.
Our three guarantees
Full service-fee refund if refused
Guaranteed in your service agreement: if your application is refused, we refund the service fees you have paid in full — or you can switch to another suitable programme at no extra charge.
No extra charge for further documents or resubmission
If the authorities request further documents, or an application must be resubmitted, we handle it at no additional service fee.
Handled by professionals, fee fixed at signing
Every application is prepared and reviewed by our professional immigration team. Your service fee is fixed when you sign, with no additional charges afterwards.
Service fees exclude investment amounts, government fees and third-party costs. Refusals caused by false or incomplete information, or by the applicant not cooperating as required, are not eligible for a refund. Full terms are set out in the service agreement.
Requirements
Applicants generally need to meet the following:
- A university degree and at least five years of work experience in a related field
- An innovative project direction that can be developed and commercialised in Australia
- A Form 1000 nomination from an Australian individual or organisation with a national reputation
- An expression of interest submitted and an invitation received
- Generally aged 18 to 54; those under 18 or aged 55 or over must show exceptional benefit to Australia
- Functional English (or payment of a charge), and health and character requirements met
Free Australia NIV brochure
Covers the requirements, process and timeline, a fee overview and FAQs. Leave your details and we’ll send it to you.
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If you can’t see it, please check your spam folder. A consultant may also contact you to answer any questions about the programme.
Application process
- Assessment and incubation agreementAbout 2–4 weeksWe assess your background and project direction and sign the incubation agreement.
- Nomination and expression of interestAbout 4 weeksThe incubator helps secure the Form 1000 nomination and you submit an expression of interest (EOI).
- Invitation and application4–8 weeksOnce invited, you must lodge the visa application within 60 days.
- Decision and arrivalAbout 6–12 monthsOnce approved, travel to Australia to activate permanent residence, set up the company and advance R&D and commercialisation.
Australia NIV client stories
“I’ve worked in medical devices in Taiwan for years. The incubator turned my technology into an R&D project in Australia, and the nomination was arranged quickly.”
Invited and granted permanent residence.
Mr Wang, Taipei“I thought the NIV was only for top academics — but it’s also open to entrepreneurs through the incubator pathway.”
Approved as an entrepreneur.
Dr Chan, Hong Kong“The fees and refund terms were clear from the start, so we signed with confidence.”
Moved to Australia after approval and set up the company.
Ms Yang, HsinchuAustralia NIVFAQ
Does the NIV itself require an investment?
No. The NIV sets no investment amount; USD 160,000 is the incubator pathway’s programme fee, covering the project, R&D partnerships and the nomination.
Is the fee refunded if the application is refused?
Yes. If the application is refused, we refund the service fees you have paid in full under the service agreement; the exact terms are explained clearly before you sign.
Does the incubator take equity in the company?
No. You wholly own the company that runs the project.
If the project fails after approval, does it affect my status?
No. Once the visa is granted, permanent residence is valid and does not depend on the business’s later performance.
Will I definitely be invited?
Not necessarily. The NIV is invitation-only with set priorities: in the first quarter of 2026 there were 1,815 expressions of interest and 146 invitations. We will be honest about your competitiveness during the assessment.
When can I apply for citizenship?
Generally after four years of lawful residence in Australia, including at least one year as a permanent resident, meeting residence, language and character requirements.
Sources
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