What Differentiates the Global Talent Visa from the Distinguished Talent Visa?
The global Talent Visa Program is designed for highly skilled professionals working and living permanently in Australia. The program was first introduced in November 2019 with two visa subclasses, namely Global Talent Visa (subclass 858) and Distinguished Talent Visa (subclass 124).
However, since 27 February 2021, both visa subclasses, Global Talent Visa and Distinguished Talent Visa, are now under the same subclass, that is Subclass 858.
At first glance, Global Talent Visa and Distinguished Talent Visa look the same, but they actually have differences. So, what are they?
Global Talent Visa and Distinguished Talent Visa in General
Since Global Talent Visa and Distinguished Talent Visa are now in one program with the same visa subclass, both of these visas have similar advantages for the holders. Both Global Talent Visa and Distinguished Talent Visa allow the holders to stay and work permanently in Australia. Besides, the holders of these visas may also:
- Enroll in Medicare
- Sponsor relatives to come to Australia
- Travel to and from Australia multiple times for five years
- Apply for Australian citizenship if eligible
The Global Talent Visa and Distinguished Talent Visa are designed for specific priority sectors, such as:
- Resources
- Agri-food and AgTech
- Energy
- Health industries
- Defence, advanced manufacturing and space
- Circular economy
- Digitech
- Infrastructure and tourism
- Financial services and FinTech
- Education
Find more about the Global Talent Visa here.
Differences Between Global Talent Visa and Distinguished Talent Visa
Global Talent Visa and Distinguished Talent Visa have slight differences in their procedure and eligibility. Those differences are:
1. Difference in procedure
If we look closely at the step-by-step procedure for applying for a Global Talent Visa and Distinguished Talent Visa, we will see one slight difference in the application process.
In applying for a Global Talent Visa, the applicant must first lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Global Talent Expression of Interest form. The EOI must be lodged with some supporting documents, and all must be lodged in English. So, if your documents are written in other languages than English, you must get your documents translated first. Those supporting documents are:
- Passport
- Nomination details, such as a nominator passport
- Nomination for Global Talent (Form 1000)
- Evidence of employment status, income, qualifications, internationally recognised record of outstanding achievement in the sector
If you meet the program parameter, you will receive an invitation from the Global Talent Independent (GTI) officer who handles your EOI application by email with a unique reference identifier of the invitation. Only after you receive an invitation can you apply for the visa.
Meanwhile, if you apply for a Distinguished Talent Visa, you do not need to lodge an Expression of Interest before the visa lodgment. Looking at the process, you may think that the Distinguished Talent Visa is less complex than the Global Independent Visa, but in fact, the Distinguished Talent Visa is more complex even though it does not require an application of EOI. If you want to apply for a Distinguished Talent Visa, you must show evidence that you are reputable in your field, which we explain below.
2. The difference in the eligibility
The second difference can be found in the Global Talent Visa and Distinguished Talent Visa eligibility is that, if you apply for a Distinguished Talent Visa, you will find one additional requirement. The requirement is that you must be internationally recognised with a record of achievement. You must have an international reputation for success in the following areas:
- A profession
- A sport
- The arts, or
- Academia and research
Your accomplishments must be extraordinary and noteworthy, meaning you:
- Are now well-known in your field
- Have outstanding ability in your field
- In any place where your speciality is practiced, you are regarded as extraordinary
- Have a track record of consistent success that is unlikely to wane in the future
You must also engage in an activity that:
- In Australia is recognised and accepted
- Has a global reputation
You must have been prominent in this field in the last two years.
Looking for other visa options to work in Australia? Find more details on Australian General Skilled Migration program here
Who can Nominate You for These Visas?
You must have a nominator in applying for a Global Talent Visa or a Distinguished Talent Visa. Your nominator must be a nationally recognised expert in your area. Being a “Nationally Recognised Expert” relates to the public or industry perceptions of the nominator as a leader with a track record of excellence in their profession. Your nominator must also be an:
- Australian citizen
- Australia permanent resident
- Eligible New Zealand citizens, or
- Australian organisation
You are not required to work for your nominators, but your nominators must provide proof of:
- Their legal standing in Australia
- Their national reputation in your field
- Your accomplishments and international reputation on Nomination for Global Talent (Form 1000)
If you’ve been endorsed by the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Global Business and Talent Attraction, you don’t require a nominator. If you have gotten a Special Envoy endorsement, the Global Talent Visa Program will contact you.
Be noted that you cannot change your nominator once you lodged your Global Talent Visa or Distinguished Talent Visa application.
Which One Suits You Best? Get Professional Advice from a Registered Migration Agent
Now, you may be wondering which visa suits you best; is it a Global Talent Visa or a Distinguished Talent Visa? ONE derland Consulting is ready to help you find out which visa option suits you best.
Engage ONE derland Consulting to prepare your Australian visa application. We will assist you from the beginning to the end and make the process as easy as it should be, and perform the following:
- Assess your eligibility for an Australian visa. We will provide you with advice on whether you should spend your money and time on an Australian visa application or if you have alternative options;
- We will provide you with written agreements and quotes to process your application if you are eligible. The agreement will cover our obligations and duty as a migration agent;
- Our agreement is transparent with no hidden fees. All the aspects of works are covered in the agreement;
- We will provide you with a dedicated Case Manager as your one point of contact. The Case Manager will assist you with your Australian visa application and keep you informed of the progress of your case;
- A tailored document checklist will be provided. We will provide you with a tailored document checklist to support your application which covers all of your circumstances and reasons for applying for a visa;
- We will prepare all the supporting documents, including a specified submission based on your circumstances to make your application stronger;
- Suppose your application is refused or cancelled, our migration agent will be your representative to communicate with the Department and/or during your AAT process, so you do not need to worry about communicating with the relevant authorities;
- Your application will be prepared by our Registered Migration Agent, who will go through your documents in more detail; anything missing will be identified and rectified;
- All of our team are dedicated to serving our clients, and we should be able to get back to you within 24 hours or less for any enquiries you may have.
We fully understand that applying for a visa to Australia is certainly very complicated. It is even more challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our visa specialists at ONEderland Consulting will help you assess your visa options. We have a 98% success rate and are one of Australia’s most highly recommended migration agents. Read our 4.9* score customer reviews.
We are complex visa specialists. As registered Australian migration agents with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), we are regulated in our professional practice and bound by the profession’s Code of Conduct issued by the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
Take the first step and get in touch with us. Our team members are professional, honest and speak various languages such as Mandarin/ Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia, Arabic, Japanese, and Thai. Contact us through email at [email protected] or via phone on 1300 827 159. Alternatively, you may book your consultation online, and it is backed by our 100% Money Back Guarantee Program.
