Innovation & Investor Visa Streams

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Pathway to Australian Residency

The Federal Government’s National Innovation Visa was released on December 6th 2024, with Waitara Advisory finding many similarities to the replaced Global Talent visa. But with clearer guidelines on previously ambiguous selection criteria.

The visa also includes a call for serial investors who have successfully helped fund enterprises in future-focused sectors. The visa also calls for emerging entrepreneurs, and they all need to demonstrate their innovative characteristics, outstanding achievements, and how they plan to contribute to Australia.

Three of the key proponents are:

The visa is a direct pathway to PR.

There is no age limit on the visa.

No English requirement.

Key attributes of a successful candidate

Successful applicants will demonstrate why they are at the top of the tree in their industry sector.

This paper focuses on prequalifying applicants for the visa – Lodging as a professional, not academic or a top talent in sports or the arts. It can be summarised as follows:

An emerging leader with high-calibre talent and skills who can significantly contribute to Australia’s future prosperity.

We need to demonstrate the Applicant will help create jobs and drive productivity growth in key sectors of the Australian economy.

Examples of exceptional talent

Vice President of a Global Enterprise transforming emerging infrastructure projects, from railway and transportation hubs to the construction of smart cities.

A Biotech Scientist with groundbreaking discoveries through infectious diseases research, enabling new innovations in health sciences.

Founder and Entrepreneur of a digital asset and financial services enterprise, globally recognised for their innovation through the successful application of new technologies

Evidence of innovative business activities, such as Significant ‘Angel’ Investors with established track records of supporting successful innovative ventures or having led internationally reputed companies to their Initial Public Offering

Future focus on green energy, health sciences, digital technology, and AI.

NIV selection criteria summary

Are they an industry leader

Is the Candidate an entrepreneur who has successfully grown their business with new technologies and innovations?
Can we demonstrate they are Senior Leadership within an Enterprise?
Are they key stakeholder and influencers within an internationally competitive organisation that demonstrates that they are industry leaders?
Has the candidate invested in new and innovative technologies in a future-focused industry sector?

Demonstrating their eligibility for NIV

Focus on their industry-leading, exceptional and outstanding skills and experience.
Share case studies of new innovations they have taken to market, that are game changes.
What was their personal contribution., would their achievements be internationally recognised, can they be applied in other countries such as Australia
What major projects has the applicant been involved in, and what was their contribution?

They should be prominent within their industry sector

We need to demonstrate that the applicant is highly regarded within their industry

Have they patented or copyrighted innovations that have been commercialised?

Can the applicant provide evidence of awards and accolades

Are they active members of leading national and international Industry Associations

Have they been keynote speakers at International conferences?

Do they have a media presence? Have they published papers that have been acclaimed by peers within their sector?

Can we source letters of support from other industry leaders and peers from within their sector to attest to their brilliance? *** This is very important.