Global Talent Visa

Someone who has an impressive record of achievements in a profession, the arts, academia, or sports. 

The Global Talent visa program provides Australian permanent residency status for individuals that are internationally recognised in their fields of expertise. There are two visa pathways under the Global Talent visa program. The Global Talent Independent program and the Distinguished Talent visa pathway.

The main difference between the Global Talent Independent program and Distinguished Talent visa pathway is that the Global Talent Independent program provides a significantly faster application process for successful candidates. The Global Talent Independent program also has additional eligibility criteria that need to be met and an additional step in the application process that does not apply to a Distinguished Talent visa pathway application.

To be eligible for a Global Talent visa under the Global Talent Independent visa pathway you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• You are highly skilled in one or more of the following industry sectors:
  • Resources
  • Agri-food and AgTech
  • Energy
  • Health Industries
  • Defence, Advanced Manufacturing, and Space
  • Circular Economy
  • DigiTech
  • Infrastructure and Tourism
  • Financial Services and FinTech
  • Education
• You can attract an annual earnings of at least $167,500 AUD.
• You have an internationally recognised record of outstanding and exceptional achievements.
• You are still prominent in your field of expertise.
• You will be an asset to Australia within your field of expertise.
• You will have no difficulty obtaining employment in Australia or establishing yourself independently (i.e being self-employed).
• You have a nomination from an Australian organisation, citizen, or permanent resident who has a national reputation in the same area of achievement.

If you are seeking to obtain a Global Talent visa via the Distinguished Talent visa pathway, you do not need to meet the target sector and annual earnings requirements mentioned above.

A Global Talent visa application via the Distinguished Talent visa pathway is for applicants from any occupation related to a profession, academia and research, the arts, or sports. However, the Global Talent Independent visa pathway does exclude certain occupations if they do not fall within one or more of the Global Talent Independent target sectors (see above) and are not related to innovative activities in these sectors.  

For example, a senior financial advisor who has established a successful consultancy business that provides financial advice to multinational companies may be able to receive a Global Talent visa via the Distinguished Talent visa pathway. However, they would likely be ineligible to receive a Global Talent visa via the Global Talent Independent visa pathway if they cannot demonstrate that their consultancy firm helps drive innovation coming out of one of the Global Talent target sectors.

A Global Talent visa application via the Global Talent Independent visa pathway is a two-step process:

• Submit an Expression of Interest (‘EOI’) application. An EOI application is not a formal visa application and is used by immigration to determine whether you are likely to be a good candidate for a Global Talent visa via the Global Talent Independent program. If your EOI application is successful, you will receive an invitation from immigration to submit a Global Talent visa application via the Global Talent Independent program. This invitation is valid for 12 months from the date of receipt.
• Submit a Global Talent visa application via the Global Talent Independent program. If this application is approved, then you will obtain Australian permanent residency status.

Applicants who wish to apply for a Global Talent visa applications via the Distinguished Talent visa pathway do not need to submit an EOI application to be eligible to receive a Global Talent visa.

It is possible to submit a Global Talent visa application via the Global Talent Independent or Distinguished Talent visa pathway inside or outside Australia. Applicants can also be either inside or outside Australia when the application is finalised.

All applications for a Global Talent visa are made via online forms. EOI applications are lodged via an online form on Immigration’s website. Global Talent visa applications via the Global Talent Independent program and Distinguished Talent visa pathway are lodged via Immiaccount, an online form/portal managed by Immigration.  

The government fees for a Global Talent visa application via either the Global Talent Independent or Distinguished Talent visa pathways are:

• $4,710AUD for the main Global Talent visa applicant.
• $2,360AUD for any family members of the main Global Talent visa applicant who are over the age of 18.
• $1,180AUD for any family members of the main Global Talent visa applicant who are under the age of 18.

An additional government fee of $4,890AUD is payable if an applicant for a Global Talent visa who is over the age of 18 does not have ‘Functional’ English language abilities.

There may also be additional costs involved in a Global Talent visa application for things such as translation fees and professional fees for third party service providers.

Processing times for EOI applications for Global Talent visa applicants applying via the Global Talent Independent program vary. Exceptionally good candidates can have their applications processed within a few weeks, sometimes even within a few days. Those do not present as an exceptional candidate may have to wait for up to 12 months, and sometimes even longer, for their EOI applications to be processed.

The processing times for Global Talent visa applications for those who are applying via the Global Talent independent program are less variable. These applications are usually processed within 7-9 months.

Global Talent visa applications for those who are applying via the Distinguished Talent pathway can expect much longer processing times than those who are applying via the Global Talent Independent program. These applications generally take 24+ months.

Lucidian Law can assist with your Global Talent visa application by:  

• Identifying Australian business, investment, or employment opportunities that match your skills and experience.
• Introducing you to a Global Talent Officer who may be able to expedite your application.
• Obtaining independent written reports from highly regarded recruitment specialists to help you meet the target sector, salary/renumeration, and employability eligibility criteria.
• Introducing you to organisations or individuals to help you meet the nomination requirement.
• Developing an innovative business concept for an Australian start-up company that matches your skills and experience.
• Developing a business plan for your proposed Australian entrepreneurial activities.