Global Talent Visa boost for highly skilled migrants in Australia’s economic recovery
In the post-pandemic economic recovery process, Australia is competing with countries like the U.K., the U.S. and Canada for the world’s leading talent across multiple sectors considered critical to the future growth of the country. To this end, the Global Talent Independent (GTI) Visa Program is designed to attract the most highly skilled and prominent professionals in their respective fields.
Why is this significant? In short, because a larger number of quality international applicants will in turn enable Australia to retain more international talent, thereby taking advantage of global skill sets that benefit key industries and stimulate growth. This potential is particularly important given the existing constraints on skilled migration.
What is the Global Talent Independent Visa Program?
The GTI Visa Program, also known as the Global Talent Visa Program, is a streamlined visa pathway for highly skilled professionals to work and live permanently in Australia. There are 15,000 places available for the GTI Visa Program for the 2020-2021 financial year.
The program covers a number of future-focused fields. To be eligible for the program under the Global Talent visa Program, applicants must be highly skilled and internationally recognised in one of the following target sectors:
- Resources
- Agricultural technology (AgTech)
- Energy
- Health industry
- Defence, advanced manufacturing & space
- Circular economy
- Digital technology (DigiTech)
- Infrastructure and tourism
- Financial services & financial technology (FinTech)
- Education
Global Talent visa Program
Global Talent Visa benefits
For the best skilled candidates seeking to migrate to Australia, the GTI Visa Program represents a unique opportunity to be recognised and have their visa application prioritised and approved with unprecedented efficiency – not to mention earn a premium salary once actually working in Australia. And crucially, successful candidates can obtain fast-tracked permanent residence.
The GTI Visa Program provides numerous benefits and opportunities, including:
- Priority processing of the visa
- No age limit for applicants, however those under 18 or over 55 years of age must show that they would provide an exceptional benefit to Australia
- No requirement for an Australian employer to provide sponsorship with a job
- It is not a point-tested visa
- Candidates do not need exceptional English skills
- Candidates can be residing in Australia or offshore when applying
- The visa allows successful candidates to stay in Australia permanently
- Visa holders can live and work anywhere in Australia indefinitely
GTI Visa Program eligibility
Candidates must demonstrate an exceptional track record of professional achievement – which may include senior roles, patents, professional awards, and international publications and memberships – and provide evidence that they would be an asset to Australia in their area of expertise. Applicants need to be endorsed by a nominator with a national reputation in the same field, such as an employer, industry colleague, academic colleague, or even an industry body. In addition, candidates must demonstrate their ability to earn above the Fair Work High Income Threshold (FWHIT) in Australia, which is currently AU$153,600 per annum.
Before applying for a Distinguished Talent visa, candidates need to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) for consideration under the Global Talent Independent Visa Program. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will be provided with a unique identifier number (UIN) for priority processing for a Distinguished Talent visa application.
If you believe you might be eligible for this visa, or you want to know more about the GTI Visa Program, it’s prudent to speak to experienced migration consultants.
