GTI VISA

This visa program targets the brightest and best global talent which specialised in seven future-focused sectors to help Australian innovation and tech economies grow. The seven targeted sectors are:

• AgTech
• Space and Advanced Manufacturing
• FinTech
• Energy and Mining Technology
• MedTech
• Cyber Security
• Quantum Information, Advanced Digital, Data Science and ICT

With this program, highly skilled workers will be given an opportunity to be an Australian Permanent Resident.

This program has only 1 visa subclass, which is a Distinguish Talent Visa subclass 858. This visa is for people with recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in the abovementioned seven targeted sectors. Subclass 858 is to be applied in or outside Australia and applicant can be in or outside Australia as well by the time of decision.

1. Be in or outside Australia when you apply for the visa and when the visa is granted.
2. Have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in one of the following areas (and still be prominent in the area):
   • A profession,
   • A sport,
   • The arts, and
   • Academia and research.
3. Your achievements must be exceptional and outstanding. This means you:
   • Are currently prominent in your field,
   • Have superior abilities to others in your field,
   • Are acclaimed as exceptional in any country where your field is practiced,
   • Have a record of sustained achievement that is unlikely to diminish in the future.
4. You must also participate in a field that:
   • Is recognised and accepted in Australia,
   • Has international standing.
5. You must have been prominent in this field in the past 2 years.
6. Be nominated by an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen, or Australian organisation with a national reputation in relation to your area of talent.
7. Be of benefit to the Australian community.
8. Must be able to find work in your field in Australia, or become independently established in your field in Australia.
9. You can be any age to apply for this visa. However, if you are under 18 years old or you are aged 55 years or older when you apply, you must be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community.
10. Have functional English.
11. Demonstrate you are likely to earn at or above the Fair Work high income threshold (FWHIT), which is currently AUD 153,600 per year in Australia or be a high performing recent PhD or Masters or Honours graduate in one of the target sectors.

Due to low volume of applicants, the processing time is not applicable. The Department assesses this visa application on a case by case basis, which mean the length of the process may vary from one case to another depending on individual’s circumstances.

The cost for this visa is as below:

• Main applicant: AUD 4,110
• Additional Applicant Charge 18+ AUD 2,055
• Additional Applicant Charge U18 AUD 1,030

• Stay in Australia permanently;
• Work and study in Australia;
• Enrol in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare;
• Include members of the family unit when you apply;
• Sponsor your relatives to come to Australia;
• Travel to and from Australia for 5 years;
• If eligible, apply for Australian citizenship.