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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.
Reviewed by Oscar Yip · Updated October 2026
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.
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Programme feeIncubator route USD 160,000
StatusPermanent residence on approval
ProcessingUsually about 8–15 months (unofficial estimate)
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 on approvalThe 858 is a permanent visa with no temporary stage; your partner and dependent children can be included.
- No points test or employer sponsorThere is no points test or employer sponsorship and no set investment amount; a Form 1000 nomination is used instead.
- Apply from inside or outside AustraliaApply from overseas, or in Australia while holding a substantive visa.
- Full permanent-resident rightsLive, work and study in Australia indefinitely, and enrol in Medicare.
- Five years of free travelThe permanent visa includes a five-year travel facility; after that you can apply for a Resident Return visa.
- Citizenship after four yearsApply after four years' lawful residence, the last 12 months as a permanent resident; Australia allows dual citizenship.
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.
Requirements
Applicants generally need to meet the following:
- An internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in your field (a degree and relevant work experience help show this, but are not stated visa criteria)
- 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
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.
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.
Pathway to PR and citizenship
- Permanent residence (subclass 858)Usually about 8–15 months (invitation-only; unofficial estimate)
Your whole family receives Australian permanent residence on approval, with no temporary visa first.
Keeping permanent statusFree travel for the first 5 years of the permanent visa; after that you need a Resident Return Visa, generally requiring 2 years in Australia within the last 5
- Australian citizenshipAfter 4 years of lawful residence in Australia (at least 1 as a permanent resident)
Apply to become an Australian citizen and get an Australian passport, passing the citizenship test. Australia allows dual citizenship.
Residence for citizenshipNo more than 12 months in total outside Australia in the 4 years, and no more than 90 days in the year before applying
General information only; requirements follow each country’s latest rules and can vary with your circumstances.
Australia NIV client stories
Client storyAn entrepreneur’s route to Australia’s National Innovation visa through an incubator
Dr Chan’s Australia NIV experience. He wanted Australian permanent residence.
Read the full storyClient storyFees and refunds explained upfront, and the NIV with confidenceMs Yeung’s Australia NIV experience. She wanted to move her family to Australia.
Read the full storyClient storyA medical device founder gains Australian permanent residence through the NIVMr Wang’s Australia NIV experience. He wanted to develop his technology in Australia.
Read the full storyCompared with other options: Australia & New Zealand
See the Australia & New Zealand overview| Programme | Investment | Status | Typical timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia National Innovation Visa (NIV) — Incubator PathwayThis programme | Programme fee USD 160,000 (incubator pathway) | Permanent residence | Usually about 8–15 months (by invitation; unofficial estimate) | Entrepreneurs and researchers with innovative projects |
| Australia Employer Sponsored Immigration (482 / 186) | No investment; Australian employer sponsorship | Work visa, then permanent residence (186) | 482 usually a few months; 186 after two years | Professionals hired by an Australian employer |
| New Zealand Active Investor Plus (AIP) | From NZD 5,000,000 | Resident visa | Depends on processing | High-net-worth investors, with no English requirement |
Australia NIV FAQ
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.
I already have my own project or meet the criteria. Can I apply directly?
Yes. If you already have an internationally recognised record of achievement or your own innovation project, you do not need the incubator pathway: we help you secure the Form 1000 nomination, prepare the expression of interest and lodge the application directly, with fees quoted case by case.
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. Under our incubator pathway’s contract terms, you wholly own the company that runs the project; this is a service arrangement, not a visa rule.
If the project fails after approval, does it affect my status?
The 858 is a permanent visa, so you are a permanent resident once it is granted; however, a permanent visa can still be cancelled in certain cases (for example, if incorrect information was given in the application), so everything you submit must be true and accurate.
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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