FIELD NOTE 07Apply & decision · coreSources checked 3 October 2026

How to Apply for the National Innovation Visa (858): From Invitation to Lodgement

Plate / 04 Light passing through four application stages

To apply for the 858 visa you lodge Form 47NI in ImmiAccount within 60 days of your invitation, attach the Form 1000 your nominator signed, and pay the application charge before processing starts.

You can apply from inside or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance, and an onshore applicant must hold a substantive visa or a Bridging A, B or C visa when applying.

Home Affairs will not process an application that arrives without Form 1000, and the evidence you upload must prove the achievements your invitation names.

The National Innovation visa (subclass 858) requires the Minister’s written invitation under regulation 858.211 of the Migration Regulations 1994.

Home Affairs’ “After submission” page says the 60-day application window cannot be extended.

After payment and submission, note your transaction reference number (TRN), as directed by Home Affairs’ National Innovation visa listing.

Invitation to lodgement

Home Affairs’ invitation, application and ImmiAccount guidance sets out these milestones:

Invitation date (day 0): email with a unique reference identifier and invitation code → Day 60: last day to lodge; no extension → Lodgement: Form 47NI submitted and paid in ImmiAccount → Acknowledgement: note your TRN → Status moves: Received, Initial assessment, Further assessment, Finalised.

Need help preparing your lodgement? The site enquiry form accepts questions addressed to Australian Migration Lawyers. A reference appears only after the email send is accepted and its status recorded.

Lodgement checklist

The Home Affairs National Innovation visa listing, Form 1000 and ImmiAccount guidance identify the following documents and actions.

Item	Where	Who provides it
Invitation email: unique reference identifier and invitation code	Your email	Home Affairs
Form 47NI (Internet)	ImmiAccount	You
Signed Form 1000 – Nomination for National Innovation visa	Attached in ImmiAccount	Individual nominator, or an organisation’s authorised contact officer, with proof of authority
Evidence of invited achievements and recent prominence	Attached	You
Establishment evidence: opportunities statement, Australian organisations’ letters, nominator information	Attached	You, your nominator and Australian organisations
Functional English evidence, or intention to pay the second instalment for each adult without it	Attached	You
AFP complete-disclosure certificate for 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years since turning 16; overseas certificates for each country meeting that test	Attached	AFP and overseas authorities
Family relationship evidence; Form 47a for dependent children aged 18–22; Form 1229 consent for migrating children under 18 where needed	Attached	You and your family
English translations with non-English originals	Attached together	NAATI-accredited translator in Australia; overseas translator providing name, contact details, qualifications and experience
Application charge	ImmiAccount payment page	You

Home Affairs says certification is unnecessary: scan clearly in colour, combine multi-page documents into one file, and observe the usual ImmiAccount limit of 60 documents per person, 5 MB each.

How do you apply for the 858 visa after an invitation?

Firstly, check the invitation. Home Affairs’ “After submission” guidance explains the 858 invitation and the 60-day window: count from the invitation date and identify the achievements to prove.
Secondly, obtain signed Form 1000. Schedule 1 item 1113(3)(d) of the Migration Regulations 1994 requires it with the application; Form 1000 identifies who signs.
Thirdly, create or log in to ImmiAccount. Home Affairs’ account-creation guidance requires your email, emailed code, “Individual” account details, acceptance of terms and multi-factor authentication.
Fourthly, start Form 47NI. LIN 24/078 names Form 47NI (Internet); Home Affairs’ “Apply and manage your application” directs you through “New Application”, application selection, terms and “Save”.
Fifthly, attach the checklist documents, following Home Affairs’ “Attach documents to your application” guidance.
Sixthly, pay, submit and record your TRN. Home Affairs’ payment and visa guidance requires the whole charge in one transaction before processing.

Home Affairs’ EOI form is separate from ImmiAccount: ImmiAccount is for the visa application, not the EOI.

What must be in the 858 visa application?

Form 1000: Schedule 1 item 1113(3)(d) makes the National Innovation visa (858) nomination form a valid-application requirement. The Home Affairs National Innovation visa listing says applications without it are not processed.
Achievement evidence: regulation 858.212(3) of the Migration Regulations 1994 ties the area and achievements to the invitation; Home Affairs also requires documents supporting the EOI claims.
Prominence and establishment evidence: regulation 858.212 requires continuing prominence, an asset to Australia and no difficulty obtaining employment or becoming established independently; the visa listing describes supporting evidence.
Identity documents: gather your identity records alongside the checklist.
Character documents: the visa listing requires police certificates; Home Affairs’ character guidance gives them 12 months’ validity from issue.
English evidence or payment intention: the visa listing requires an intention-to-pay statement for each person without functional English.
Family documents: the visa listing asks why any partner or dependent child is omitted.

Paying for the 858 visa application

The visa application charge is the payment made in ImmiAccount at lodgement; Home Affairs’ National Innovation visa listing says processing does not start until payment.

From 1 July 2026, Schedule 1 item 1113 of the Migration Regulations 1994 sets charges of $6,235 for the main applicant, $3,120 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over and $1,560 for each under 18, in AUD. See the 858 visa fee for further detail.

Home Affairs’ “How to pay” accepts MasterCard, VISA, AMEX, JCB and pre-paid cards with 3D Secure, PayPal, UnionPay and BPAY. Allow three days for BPAY; pay the whole charge in one transaction.

Under item 1113, the second instalment is generally $4,890 per adult without functional English, from 1 July 2026; specified family-violence applicants pay nil. The visa listing says Home Affairs requests it only if it is going to grant, and does not refund the application charge following refusal.

Applying for the 858 in or outside Australia

Location: Schedule 1 item 1113(3)(b) permits application inside or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance.
Onshore status: item 1113(3)(ba) requires a substantive visa or Bridging A, B or C visa when applying.
Previous 491 or 494: regulation 858.213 generally requires three years holding that visa if you hold or last held it, subject to legislative-instrument exceptions.
Bridging visa: the Home Affairs visa listing says a bridging visa may have been granted to start when your current visa expires. Stay lawful; do not request cancellation of your current visa.
Section 48: under the Migration Act 1958, applicants in Australia without a substantive visa who have had a refusal since last entry face restricted application classes. Regulation 2.12 does not list Class BX, so the 858 application must be made offshore in that situation.
No further stay: section 46(1A) makes an onshore application invalid where condition 8503, 8534 or 8535 has applied since last entry, unless waived. Regulation 2.05 and Home Affairs’ waiver guidance require compelling, compassionate circumstances arising after grant, beyond your control and causing a major change.
Grant and travel: regulation 858.411 permits grant inside or outside Australia, not in immigration clearance. The visa listing permits travel during processing, but you need a visa to return.

Biometrics, health checks and police certificates after you apply

Biometrics: Home Affairs’ National Innovation visa listing says it will advise if you need them.
Health checks: Home Affairs requires examinations for you and accompanying family. If not completed before application, wait for its request; use ImmiAccount’s “View health assessment” and “Organise health examinations” to obtain your HAP ID referral. Results are generally valid for 12 months.
Police certificates: Home Affairs’ character guidance requires an AFP National Police Check using Code 33 – Immigration/Citizenship; the 858 listing requires complete disclosure and relevant overseas certificates. Home Affairs supplies letters for some countries after application.
Further particulars: the visa listing says Form 80 or Form 1221 may be requested.

Changing or withdrawing an 858 application

Changed circumstances: section 104 of the Migration Act 1958 requires written notification as soon as practicable if a change makes an answer incorrect. The visa listing includes contact details, passport, relationship status and childbirth.
Online notification: Home Affairs’ “After you apply” directs you to “Update details” → “Notification of changes in circumstances”, with evidence; contact and passport details have dedicated options.
Originally incorrect answers: section 105 imposes a separate notification duty. Use “Notification of incorrect answer(s)” or Form 1023; Home Affairs’ attachment guidance uses this process for wrong uploads because submitted documents cannot be removed.
Adding family: the visa listing allows Form 1436 before decision, except where the main applicant is under 18. Regulation 2.08 treats a child born after application and before decision as having applied.
Withdrawal: Home Affairs directs you to “Update details” → “withdrawal of a visa application”, or Form 1446; removing the application is not withdrawal, and refunds are available only in very limited circumstances.

What happens after you apply for the 858 visa?

Home Affairs’ “After you apply”, updated 21 September 2026, explains the statuses:

Firstly, Submitted, then Received: the application has been submitted and received.
Secondly, Initial assessment: an initial check.
Thirdly, Further assessment: check messages and “Actions required” for requests. Regulation 2.15 generally allows 28 days for a written request concerning an application made in Australia; the visa listing says a decision may also be made without requesting more documents.
Fourthly, any second instalment: the visa listing says payment is requested if Home Affairs is going to grant.
Fifthly, Finalised: a decision has been made.

The visa listing says Home Affairs does not provide interim updates. See 858 processing time for timing information.

Common application questions

How do I apply for an 858 visa?
Home Affairs’ application guidance requires Form 47NI in ImmiAccount within 60 days of invitation, signed Form 1000 and payment.

Can I apply from outside Australia?
Yes. The Migration Regulations 1994 permit offshore application and grant, but not in immigration clearance.

What if I miss the 60-day window?
Home Affairs’ “After submission” says it cannot extend the window: submit a new EOI, without any guarantee of another invitation.

Does removing my application withdraw it?
No. Home Affairs requires withdrawal through “Update details” or Form 1446.

Can I travel after lodging?
Yes. The visa listing says no notification is needed, but you need a visa to return; Home Affairs’ Bridging visa A guidance says a BVA in effect ends on departure.

Forms and visas you may meet while you apply for the 858

Character particulars, when requested by Home Affairs: Form 80.
Additional particulars, in the supplementary form: Form 1221.
Reporting changed circumstances on paper under section 104: Form 1022.
Ending an application using Home Affairs’ Form 1446: withdrawing an 858.
Creating an account and lodging under Home Affairs’ guidance: ImmiAccount and the 858.
Staying lawful after your current visa ends, as explained by Home Affairs: Bridging visa A after lodging an 858 in Australia.
Travelling and returning: Home Affairs’ BVB guidance says apply in ImmiAccount between three months and two weeks before travel; the standard charge is $575 from 1 July 2026, with a $195 Pacific-regional passport rate. See how to apply for a Bridging visa B.
A no-further-stay condition affecting onshore validity under section 46(1A): 8503 and the 858.
Returning to the visa overview: 858 visa.

Before lodgement, an Australian migration lawyer can check your deadline, signed Form 1000 and whether the evidence matches the invited achievements. Those checks address Home Affairs’ non-extendable window and missing-form rule, and regulation 858.212(3)’s requirement to prove the achievements named in the invitation—not a prediction of grant.