The Global Talent visa comprises two visa pathways:
- The streamlined Global Talent Visa Program pathway for applicants with skills in identified priority sectors who have submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI); and
- The Distinguished Talent pathway for applicants working in other sectors.
What can you do with the Global Talent visa?
There are many advantages with the Global Talent visa that include:
- Letting you stay in Australia permanently;
- Being able to work and study in Australia;
- Enrol in Australia’s public health care scheme – Medicare;
- Sponsor your relatives to come to Australia;
- Travel to and from Australia for 5 years; and
- If eligible, apply for Australian citizenship.
The Global Talent Visa Program is aims to attract the best global talent to Australia. If you would like to see if you are eligible for this visa, contact our team today to discuss your migration options.
Where can you apply for the Global Talent visa?
When you apply for the Global Talent visa, you can be either in or outside of Australia. You must not be in immigration clearance when you apply for this visa or when a decision has been made on your visa application.
How long you can stay in Australia for?
This is a permanent visa and lets you stay in Australia indefinitely. You also become a permanent resident on the day that the visa is granted.
For Australian citizenship purposes, your permanent residence starts on the day:
- that the visa is granted if you are in Australia; or
- when you enter Australia if you are located outside of Australia.
What family can be included on the visa?
When applying for the visa, you can include members of your family unit. You can add your family to your visa application at any stage leading up to the decision of the visa application.
If you are under 18 years old, you can include:
- a parent
- members of the family unit of that parent
Any family members who apply for the visa must meet the strict health and character requirements outlined by the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA).
There is more information on the health and character requirements below.
Your visa obligations
Your obligations include that you and your family members must obey all Australian laws at all times.
The Department of Home Affairs also expect that you will contribute to Australia in your field of expertise.
Visa label
Visa labels no longer exist. Once you have been approved, the Department of Home Affairs will digitally link your visa to your passport.
You won’t get a label added to your passport.
What are the eligibility requirements of the Global Talent visa stream?
Benefit the Australian community
Your contribution to Australia may be:
- economic,
- social,
- cultural, or
- to raise Australia’s academic, artistic or sports standing internationally.
You must contribute to the nation as a whole.
Establish yourself in Australia
As part of the eligibility requirement, you must be able to source and find work in your nominated field in Australia or become independently established in your field in Australia.
Income from work outside of your nominated field can’t be included.
Internationally recognised with a record of achievement
You must be internationally recognised with a record of achievement in one of the following:
- a profession
- a sport
- the arts
- academia and research
Your achievements must be extraordinary and outstanding. This means you:
- are prominent in your field
- have superior abilities to others in your field
- are acclaimed as exceptional in any country where your field is practised
- have a record of sustained achievement that is unlikely to diminish in the future
You must also partake in a field that:
- is recognised and accepted in Australia
- has international standing
You must have been prominent in this field in the past 2 years from when you apply for the visa.
Be nominated
In order to apply for this visa, you must be nominated. Your nominator must also meet the Department of Home Affairs set criteria.
Your nominator requirements must be:
- an Australian citizen
- permanent resident
- eligible New Zealand citizen, or
- an Australian organisation with a national reputation in the same field as you.
Age requirement
You can be any age to apply for Global Talent visa.
If you are under 18 years old, or are 55 years or older when you apply, you must be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community.
Prior visa holder
If you are outside Australia at the time you apply, you do not need to hold a specific visa to apply for the Global Talent visa. However, if you are in Australia at the time you apply, you must hold one of the following:
- a substantive visa
- Bridging visa A – BVA – (subclass 010)
- Bridging visa B – BVB – (subclass 020)
- Bridging visa C – BVC – (subclass 030)
Criteria for subclass 491 and subclass 494 visa holders: if you currently hold, or your last substantive visa held was either:
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491); or
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494)
You must have held that visa for at least 3 years at the time you apply for the Global Talent visa.
English language requirement
Applicants aged 18 or over, must have functional English. You must pay an extra charge, called the second instalment, if you do not have functional English.
There are five tiers of the English language requirement and it’s important that you understand the requirements for each when applying for various visas.
Health requirement
You will have to meet the Department of Home Affairs health requirement. Any family members who also apply for the visa will need to meet the health requirement as well. Find out more on the health requirement here.
Character requirement
You and family members aged 16 years and over who apply for the visa with you must meet the Department of Home Affairs character requirement.
Debt to the Australian government
You or any family members (including those who don’t apply for the visa with you) cannot owe the Australian government money.
Any debt to the Australian government must be paid in full, or you need to have an arrangement to pay it back.
Have you had a previous visa cancelled or refused?
If you have ever had a visa cancelled or refused in Australia, you might not be eligible for the Global Talent visa.
If you are unsure if you have had a visa cancelled or refused previously, talk to our team to discuss your migration options.
Working in Australia
The Department of Home Affairs expects that you will use this visa to contribute to Australia in your field of expertise.
When you work within Australia, you are protected by Australian workplace law.
Can you bring in family?
As an Australian permanent resident, you might be able to sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia.
Become an Australian citizen
After a certain time on the Global Talent visa, you might be eligible for Australian citizenship.
For citizenship purposes, your permanent residency starts on the day you entered Australia on this visa.
Our team have assisted many visa holders through the Australian citizenship process. Talk to our team of immigration lawyers and registered migration agents today to discuss how we can assist you with the Australian citizenship process.
Are you ready to apply for the Global Talent visa?
If you’ve read through all the above information and think you’re ready to apply, contact our team of registered migration agents and immigration lawyers to begin.