National Innovation Visa (NIV)

The NIV has been designed to attract internationally recognised entrepreneurs, investors,  and academics/researchers who have a proven track record of driving meaningful innovations from future focused industries.   

• Have strong skills/experience with future focused industries such as Critical Technologies, Health, Clean/Renewable energy, AgTech, Advanced Manufacturing, FinTech, Education, Infrastructure etc.
• Have an internationally recognised record of outstanding and exceptional achievements.
• Still be prominent in their fields of expertise.
• Be an asset to Australia.
• Have no difficulty obtaining employment in Australia or establishing themselves independently (i.e being self-employed).
• Have a nomination from an Australian organisation, citizen, or permanent resident who has a national reputation in the same area of achievement.
• Meet the health requirement.
• Meet the character requirement.
• Not have any adverse immigration history (previous visa application refusals, visa cancellations, deportations etc.).

An NIV application usually involves a two-step process:

• Submitting an Expression of Interest (‘EOI’) application. 
• If the EOI is successful, submitting an NIV application.

There are no set timeframes for the processing of EOIs and NIV applications. However, the immigration department’s website does sometime publish estimated processing times for NIV applications. 

EOIs can remain valid for up to 2 years. If an EOI has not been approved within 2 years, it will automatically be closed. 

Immigration has complete control over how and when EOIs and NIV applications are processed.  

Lucidian Law can assist with your NIV application by:  

• Facilitating business/investment partnership opportunities with Australian start-up that match your industry background and can leverage your skills, experience, and network to help them scale.
• Developing a feasibility study and a business plan that outlines your proposed Australian entrepreneurial and/or investment activities. 
• Exploring the possibility of obtaining a recommendation letter from an Australian start-up, entrepreneurs, recruitment specialists, or VC fund.
• Introducing you to Australian organisations or individuals that may be able willing to nomination you.