The Global Talent – Independent Program (GTI) was launched on 4 November 2019 and is considered a major new initiative in Australia’s immigration strategy.
Under the GTI program, highly skilled applicants in selected industries will receive priority processing for permanent residency in Australia. It is designed to attract the best talent from around the world in future-focused industries to Australia.
The program also benefits Australians by providing an opportunity to transfer skills, promote innovation, and create job opportunities.
The main features of this program are:
- No job offer is required
- The visa is a permanent visa
- The application receives priority processing
- No Skilling Australians Fund levy is required
What are the eligibility requirements for the GTI visa?
The requirements for the GTI visa applicant include:
- The applicant must be highly skilled in one of the seven target sectors:
- Resources
- Agri-food and AgTech
- Energy
- Health Industries
- Defence, Advanced Manufacturing and Space
- Circular Economy
- DigiTech
- Infrastructure and Tourism
- Financial Services and FinTech
- Education
- The GTI applicants should also have the ability to attract a salary at or above the Fair Work high income threshold (FWHIT), which is currently AUD153,600
How to apply for the GTI visa?
Step 1: the GTI applicant needs to submit an expression of interest with the Department of Home Affairs.
If they are successful and meet the program parameters, they will be provided with a unique identifier, which will be used to apply for a Distinguished Talent visa through the Global Talent Independent program.
Step 2: the GTI applicant needs to lodge a Distinguished Talent visa application (subclass 124 for offshore applicants and subclass 858 for onshore applicants) in ImmiAccount.
As part of the application, the GTI applicants will need to be endorsed by a nominator who has a national reputation in the same field as the applicant and be either:
- an Australian citizen
- an Australian permanent resident
- an eligible New Zealand citizen, or
- an Australian organisation
What is the processing time for the GTI visa?
At the Law Council’s Immigration Law Conference on 6 March 2020, a representative from the Department of Home Affairs indicated the GTI applications generally are processed in 1-2 weeks.