Visas for innovation After submitting your Expression of Interest

If we invite you to apply for a NIV, you will get a notification by email. This will include a unique reference identifier and invitation code to apply for the visa.

You will have 60 days from the date of the invitation to complete and submit your visa application. We will not accept applications lodged without an invitation or outside of the specified timeframe.

We cannot extend the 60 day period. You must submit your visa application as soon as possible after you receive the invitation.

If you do not apply in the 60 day period, you must submit a new EOI in order to be invited again. There is no guarantee you will receive another invitation.

Your invitation will include the achievement(s) that formed the basis of​ your invitation. You will need to provide evidence of the achievement(s) when you apply for a visa.

For information on visa requirements, see National Innovation visa (subclass 858).

Visa applications are decided in accordance with Skilled visa processing priorities.

For an indication of visa processing times, see Global visa processing times guide.

If you submit an EOI this does not guarantee we will invite you to apply for a visa.

We cannot tell you the progress of your EOI or if you may receive an invitation.

If you do not receive an invitation within two years of submitting your EOI, your EOI will expire. This means that we will no longer actively consider you for an invitation.

If you want us to reconsider inviting you to apply for a visa, you must submit a new EOI.

If you submit an EOI it does not entitle you to a bridging visa.

If you need a visa to travel to or stay in Australia while you wait for an invitation, you must apply for another visa. See explore visa options.

If you do not meet the requirements for another visa, you will need to leave Australia before your visa expires.

You can withdraw your EOI at any time before we invite you to apply for this visa by contacting National.Innovation@homeaffairs.gov.au