National Innovation Visa (NIV) & Skills in Demand Visa (SID)
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Quick answer: Since December 2024, the Global Talent visa has been replaced by the National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858), and the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (482) has been replaced by the Skills in Demand visa (also Subclass 482, restructured). This FAQ covers the most common questions employers and applicants ask about both programs, including EOIs, nominations, processing targets and pathways to permanent residency. |
National Innovation Visa (NIV) questions
What happened to my existing Global Talent (GTI) application?
Expressions of interest that had already been invited under the old Global Talent Independent program continue processing under those original terms. EOIs that had not yet been invited when the program transitioned needed to be resubmitted under the National Innovation Visa framework, as the assessment criteria changed.
Can a professional body like the Australian Computer Society nominate me under the NIV?
No. Nominations from professional bodies are not accepted under the current NIV framework – endorsement must come from an eligible Australian citizen, permanent resident, or organisation that meets the NIV’s endorsement criteria.
Does one year of angel investing satisfy the “sustained history” requirement for the Entrepreneur stream?
No. A single year of angel investing activity does not meet the sustained track-record requirement the Department looks for. Assessors are looking for a demonstrated, ongoing pattern of activity in the relevant field, not an isolated instance.
What’s the main pathway for business migrants under the NIV?
The Entrepreneur Stream is the primary NIV pathway for business migrant candidates, replacing the equivalent business innovation options that existed under the previous system.
How long does an NIV EOI take to result in an invitation?
The Department has not published a fixed EOI processing timeline for the NIV. In practice, invitation timeframes have ranged from around one week to several months, with most falling between one and four months – applicants whose expertise aligns with government-flagged priority sectors (AI, biotechnology and renewable energy have been named) tend to see faster outcomes.
Skills in Demand (SID) visa questions
My nomination was submitted before 7 December 2024 for an occupation later removed from the skills list. Is it still valid?
Yes. Nominations submitted before the occupation was removed from the relevant skills list generally remain valid, even though the occupation is no longer available for new nominations.
Can I lodge my SID visa application before my nomination is decided?
Yes – visa applications can be lodged before the nomination outcome is finalised, which can help reduce overall end-to-end time when both are assessed close together.
How far in advance can a sponsor nominate a position?
Sponsors may nominate for periods of up to four years, provided they supply financial documentation that supports the nominated period.
What are the current SID processing targets?
The Specialist Skills stream targets a 7-day median for combined nomination and visa processing. The Core Skills stream does not carry the same fast-track commitment and generally takes longer – confirm the current published median before relying on a specific timeframe.
How long is Labour Market Testing valid for?
As at mid-2026, Labour Market Testing remains valid for 4 months, pending any legislative changes the Department has flagged as under consideration.
Can ABN contractors be sponsored under the SID visa?
Generally no. ABN contractors cannot access the SID program unless they fall under a specific, defined exemption – this is assessed case by case.
If a 482/SID visa holder changes employer, do they need a new visa?
Not necessarily. A new employer generally needs to lodge a new nomination, but the visa holder does not need a new visa unless their current visa is expiring or they’re changing to a different occupation.
Who lodges the 186 nomination for a Temporary Residence Transition applicant?
The applicant’s current sponsoring employer must lodge the Subclass 186 (Temporary Residence Transition stream) nomination – a new or prospective employer cannot do this on the applicant’s behalf.
Quick reference: what replaced what
| Old program | Current program | Changed from |
| Global Talent Independent (GTI) | National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858) | 7 December 2024 |
| Temporary Skill Shortage visa (Subclass 482) | Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482, restructured into 3 streams) | 7 December 2024 |
| MLTSSL / STSOL occupation lists (Core Skills use) | Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), managed by Jobs and Skills Australia | 7 December 2024 |
