858 Visa Global Talent Independent (GTI)

Benefits of applying for a GTI visa

• Streamlined and extremely fast processing time compared to other skill visas, with a quick turnaround of around 1-3 months!

• GTI visa gives you direct permanent residency

• GTI visa is easy to apply for - In 2021 the department of home affairs has increased the 7 eligible sectors to 10, which means the program now is easier to apply for and more accessible for applicants. 

• Individuals are free to move roles and/or employers upon visa grant

• Enrol in Australia’s public health care program (Medicare)

• No travel restrictions to Australia, once the visa is granted

• No Age limit, Point test, and Skills Assessment

• No need to nominate an occupation

• No mandatory English requirement 

Who should apply for GTI visas?

• Are you interested in getting Australian PR in the quickest and most streamlined way?

• Do you desperately need a solution when you are waiting endlessly for your 189/190 visa invitations?

• Are you frustrated that you have to do repeated IELTS/PTE tests just to get proficient English and superior English for point tests?

• Need a plan B if you are highly skilled however your occupation is not on the migration list for employer-sponsored visas?

• Are you losing valuable points by getting older or over 45 years old to be eligible for employer-sponsored visas?

• Are you a recent Ph.D. graduate and consider yourself to have innovative and outstanding ideas that will attract potential high income? 

GTI Priority sectors:

To be granted a visa under the Global Talent Visa Program, a candidate will be highly skilled in one of the target sectors (10 in total). The relevant sectors are Resources, Agri-food and AgTech, Energy, Health industries, Defence, advanced manufacturing and space, Circular economy, Digitech, Infrastructure and Tourism, Financial Services and FinTech, Education. 

When assessing the GTI visa, the department will be looking at: 

• What can you offer Australia? What is your specialization, skills, or experience? 

• What skills do you have that are in demand in Australia and do not already exist? 

• You need to introduce yourself as an asset to Australia and why Australia needs you and how you would fit into the target sectors 

For example: 

• You have the skills to help Australia’s COVID-19 response

• You have ICT skills at a globally competitive standard

• You are introducing new technologies to Australia

• You have a strong business plan with interested parties in Australia

Talent / Professional Achievement 

Candidates must meet a high standard and show an exceptional track record of professional achievement. This may include senior roles, patents, professional awards, International publications, memberships. Places are also available to Ph.D. graduates who can prove exceptional talent and international recognition in a target sector. 

For example:

• A key position in an internationally recognized, leading organization

• Senior position in your fields such as CEO, director, or senior manager 

• Key role in a project with global impact, such in the development of a vaccine or in technologies to ease climate change or IT security specialist who developed a program to stop hackers.

• Recent Ph.D. graduate with an outstanding, innovative idea that would be beneficial to Australia

Earning Power 

Candidates should have the ability to attract a salary at or above the Fair Work high-income threshold of AUD158, 500. In assessing this, the department will consider: 

• the current salary has shown through payslips or a contract, or

• future job offers outlining remuneration, or

• evidence such as job salary research or similar job advertisements to prove your occupation can attract a salary at the minimum income threshold

Nominator

The applicant must be nominated by:

• An individual who is a permanent resident or Australian citizen and has a national reputation in the same field as the applicant; or

• An Australian organisation (which could be a prospective employer) with a national reputation, in the same field as the applicant.

• Nominators must be prepared to attest to how the applicant is a global talent and meets the requirements for the grant of the visa.

For example:

• if you are an IT or Engineering professionals 

  • Your nominator can be the industry peak body or assessment authorities such as the Australian Computer Society and Engineers Australia.

• if you are a researcher, scientist, or lecturer

  • your nominator can be a professor from a university

Our Processes

You may have heard that the GTI visa process seems hard, but it is actually very simple with our assistance:

Step 1 - We will spend 1-2 months with our clients to collect information and supporting documents and find the appropriate Australian organisation or individual to nominate you

Step 2 - Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Global Talent Team. The Global Talent Unit assesses candidates and invites those they believe meet the requirements and provide a response. If you are successfully invited, an invitation reference identifier and invitation code will be sent to lodge the visa application.

Step 3 - Upon invitation, we will submit your visa application, and it will take about 2-4 short weeks to process.

Step 4 - When the Department is satisfied with the application and you meet all the visa requirements, we will then get the request to do the health and character checks. 

Finally, very shortly after that, you will then expect a GTI visa grant!

Common Mistakes

Here are the 4 common mistakes that can cost you your GTI visas:

• I must be famous to apply for this visa

  Although the GTI requires a candidate to be internationally recognized, you do not need to be a Hollywood star or Instagram influencer to be eligible.

  The criterion ‘internationally recognized’ simply means you should know by your peers from at least two countries. Several things may help you to prove that you are internationally recognized, such as membership of an international organization in your field, publications that are internationally published or professional awards from international competition.

  In short, you do not need to be famous to be successful in the GTI visa application. You just need to be very good at what you do and know people outside of your own country. 

• I need to be a scientist, sportsman or be a technician to apply for a GTI.

  The GTI eligible sector has been expanded this year which means it would be easier for the candidates to apply.  You simply need to demonstrate that you are exceptional in the eligible field and could become an asset to Australia.

  The definition for ‘asset to the Australian community is very broad. It is defined as ‘(someone) will make a significant positive social or cultural impact on the Australian community. 

• I must have an Australian job offer to apply for the GTI visa

  While having an Australian job offer may significantly advance your application and help you to stand out amongst other candidates, it is not necessary for you to have an Australian job offer before you apply. Alternatively, you can simply provide evidence to show that you can easily find a job in Australia. Evidence such as job market research can help you to demonstrate that your role is in high demand.

• I must earn enough money to satisfy the test

  Your record of earning is a clear indicator which demonstrates your ability to satisfy the employability test for the GTI application. However, this is not something that is mandatory. You can show the Department your salary record or a market salary research to show that you have the great potential to earn above the high-income threshold in the near future.

  This is particularly true for PhD graduates. Applicants who applied for GTI visas as a PhD graduates will need to show their specialty is in high demand in Australia. They may provide evidence of their potential salary within a few years to demonstrate to the Department of Home Affairs that they satisfy the employability test for their GTI application. 

Conclusion

Based on Think Visa’s collective experience with GTI visas, we have highlighted some common mistakes regarding the GTI visas and explained the minimum criteria for potential applicants. The process itself is tedious, complex and constantly subject to changes by the Australian states as well as the Department of Immigration. Therefore, we recommend that you approach migration experts for professional advice and assistance in handling the applications.

Other relevant information

skill visas
permanent residency
Medicare
Point test
Skills Assessment
Australian PR