The National Innovation Visa - 7 December, 2024

New National Innovation Visa set to be launched from late 2024

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 National Innovation visa 

As we advised earlier this year, the National Innovation Visa is due to replace the existing Global Talent Visa in the coming weeks.

What do we know about the National Innovation visa?

We should know the specific criteria for the visa very soon. Some of the details we expect to see confirmed are as below.

Applicants will be considered across the following areas:

  • Researchers & Thought Leaders:  Global leaders, evidenced with significant published works, references, media coverage, awards.
  • Entrepreneurs: High performing entrepreneurs, particularly those with support from state/territory authorities.
  • Innovative Investors: Investors who have track record of successful investing, particularly those in innovative sectors.
  • Athletes, Coaches & Creative Talent: High performing athletes or sports coaches, musicians, artists, actors, filmmakers.

The National Innovation Vise will be a permanent residency visa. This is a change for some of the above applicants. Specifically Entrepreneurs and Investors who had to apply for  the (now closed)  Subclass 188 visa. The 188 visa is a temporary residency visa, which has to be followed by an application for permanent residency through the Subclass 888 visa.

It is expected the visa will be by invitation only. Applicants will need to nominated by an equally accomplished Australia Citizen or permanent resident, or an organisation or government authority,  that can vouch for the applicant’s credentials and achievements.

Applicants (over 18 years old) will need to have functional English, or pay a further visa application charge prior to visa approval.

Eligible family members can be included. All applicants will need to meet health & character requirements.

There will be no limitations in occupations, or age limits. States/territories may have a say with regards to the industries and experience  that they are looking for and that they will support through nomination.

Are you interested?

It is expected that the visa will be in high demand.

While we all wait for the final details of the National Innovation Visa to be released, potential applicants can register their interest with us. We have a number already and the list is growing.

These include, athletes, investors & entrepreneurs.

Got any questions?

If you want to know more about the visa, and discuss your likely eligibility please Contact Us

CBI

Australian 2024-25 budget update – What’s relevant for immigration? 

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The 2024-25 budget & immigration measures 

The Australian treasurer has delivered the budget for the 2024-25 financial year (FY). The FY runs from 1 July to 30 June. 

A whole raft of changes have been announced. With a focus on actions to ease the cost of living and a housing shortage. 

Key immigration measures outlined in the budget include the following. 

Net Overseas Migration 

As part of addressing this the government have plans to reduce net overseas migration by half  in 2024-25 — from 528,000 to 260,000.

Permanent Migration program –  Skilled stream numbers  

The permanent migration cap for 2024-25 will be 185,000. Of these places 132,200 places will be allocated to the skilled stream.

National Innovation Visa to replace the Global Talent & BIIP program

The Global Talent (Subclass 858) & Business Innovation and Investment (BIIP) visa (Subclass 188) programs are to be replaced by the National Innovation visa.

The National Innovation Visa will be introduced in late 2024. This visa will target talented migrants – such as entrepreneurs & major investors – in key sectors. The details of the visa are yet to be confirmed.

Subclass 482 changes  – required work experience reduced 

Work experience requirements for the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (Subclass 482) will be reduced from two years to one year from 23 November 2024. 

Student Visas

The government will propose a numbers of legislation changes for international students. These include:

  • capping the number of international students that can be enrolled by the education providers (colleges & universities)
  • allowing education providers to go over these caps  if they invest in student-specific accommodation
  • significant application fees increases  

Theses changes are in addition to  recent announcements that applicants will also have to meet higher English language requirements, as well as financial capacity evidence.

Our view

It appears clear that there will be  opportunities for talented people, business & investors  who can contribute to Australia in key skill shortage areas and target sectors. 

It’s likely that those that work in healthcare and STEM will  have more opportunities than others. Education and trade/construction workers too.

It doesn’t necessarily mean there won’t be opportunities for others. However you will have to be ready to act. These will likely be through state/territory nominated visas – Subclass 190 & 491. Or employer sponsored visas such as the Subclass 482.

As some of the the states/territories have exhausted their 2023-34 allocations,  they will be eagerly waiting their 2024-25 cap. Applicants should look out for these state/territory announcements as we get closer to the 1st July 2024. 

Business owners & investors have had reduced visa opportunities in recent years. Culminating in the formal closure of the BIIP program.  Whilst the details are yet to be released, the National Innovation visa will be warmly welcomed. 

In particular the target sectors will be eagerly awaited. Whether these will mirror the recent target sectors under the Global Talent visa remains to be seen.  

Whether there is a pathway for investors also be keenly watched. Especially as the recent  Australia migration review suggested that the BIIP  pathway for major investors, e.g. $5m AUD+, provided a favourable outcome for Australia. A continuation of an investment pathway would be warmly welcomed. It would also allow Australia to continue to offer a pathway that competing migrant countries provide.  

If you would like would like to discuss the budget, or any matter raised, please Contact Us.