Commonwealth of Australia · Processing time
National Innovation visa (formerly Global Talent): how long does it take?
By Sam Parks · Last checked:
Global Talent (subclass 858) processing varies by sector; 3–12 months is typical.
How long does the National Innovation visa (formerly Global Talent) take to process in Australia?
The typical published decision window is 3 months – 12 months from a complete application. Global Talent (subclass 858) processing varies by sector; 3–12 months is typical.
Verified against Home Affairs — Global Talent visa on 1 June 2026.
Typical wait
3 months – 12 months
from complete application
Government fees
Variable; verify Home Affairs.
Last checked
1 June 2026
What is the National Innovation visa (formerly Global Talent)?
Permanent residence for globally recognised high achievers in target sectors — replacement for the former Global Talent visa.
The former Global Talent visa was replaced by the National Innovation visa as announced in the 2024–25 Migration Strategy. It targets candidates of exceptional, internationally recognised talent. Specific scheme parameters continued to be refined into 2025–26 — verify current Home Affairs guidance.
- Sponsorship: No job offer or employer sponsor is required.
- Settlement: This route can lead to permanent residency in Commonwealth of Australia.
- Typical permit length: Permanent residence.
- Indicative government fees: Variable; verify Home Affairs.
How to read this estimate
The 3 months – 12 months window is the time Home Affairs — Global Talent visa typically associates with the National Innovation visa (formerly Global Talent) — measured from a complete, correctly-lodged application through to a decision, not from when you start gathering documents.
- Collecting documents, getting qualifications recognised, and booking consular appointments all happen before the clock starts.
- If the authority requests more information, the clock pauses until you reply — so a fast, complete response keeps your place in the queue.
- Processing times shift with application volumes and policy changes. The Home Affairs — Global Talent visa page linked below is the only figure that is current on the day you apply.
Official source
Home Affairs — Global Talent visa
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/global-talent-visa-858
Frequently asked questions
How long does the National Innovation visa (formerly Global Talent) take to process?+
The typical wait is 3 months – 12 months from submitting a complete application. Global Talent (subclass 858) processing varies by sector; 3–12 months is typical. These figures come from Home Affairs — Global Talent visa and were last verified on 2026-06-01. Always confirm on the primary source before you apply.
When does the 3 months – 12 months clock start?+
The clock starts when Home Affairs — Global Talent visa receives a complete, valid application — not when you begin collecting documents. Gathering evidence, getting qualifications recognised, and booking consular appointments all happen before the window starts.
Is there a way to speed up the decision?+
Some Australia routes offer a priority or premium service for an additional fee. Check the linked primary source for current options — availability changes and varies by consular post.
What makes an application take longer than expected?+
The most common reasons for delays beyond the published window are: missing or incorrect documents, a request for more information (which pauses the clock until you reply), background or medical checks, and consular appointment backlogs in your country. Submitting a complete, well-organised application on day one is the single biggest thing you can do to stay inside the published window.
When should I treat my National Innovation visa (formerly Global Talent) application as delayed?+
Wait until you have passed the upper end of the published window (3 months – 12 months) before treating it as delayed. At that point, a single polite status enquiry through the official channel is reasonable. Do not chase repeatedly, as this tends to slow a case rather than speed it up.
Next steps
Full visa guide
Eligibility, application steps, fees, and FAQs for the National Innovation visa (formerly Global Talent).
All Australia processing times
Compare decision windows across every Australia visa route.
Government fees breakdown
Full itemised fee schedule for the National Innovation visa (formerly Global Talent).
Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.