The Global Talent Visa (designed for the Global Talent Independent Program) is one of the most popular visa categories for applicants wishing to reside and work in Australia. This visa provides a permanent residency pathway for applicants who are highly talented in a field that comes under Australia’s target sectors. Upon obtaining this visa, the visa holders get to reside in Australia permanently and work towards the development and growth of the country. 

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To understand more about the Global Talent Visa, click here.

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As there are many facets to the Global Talent Visa process, we have collated various questions that are commonly posed by applicants and readers - and provided answers to give readers more clarity.

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What is the processing time for the Global Talent Visa?

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Generally, the processing time for a Global Talent Visa is approximately 3 months. It can depend on factors such as how detailed and well-completed the visa application is, the applicant’s availability to undergo the mandatory health examination, etc.

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How do I find a nominator?

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All applicants must have nominators, otherwise, they will not be able to obtain a Global Talent Visa. 

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A nominator can be an employer, a colleague who works in the same industry as the applicant, an academic colleague, or even an accredited industry body. It is important to note that the nominator must be an Australian permanent resident, an Australian citizen or an Australian industry body.

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The nominator must have a national reputation concerning the field they are working in. Factors impacting this include the nominators:

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• Solid track record of achievements
• Evidence of high calibre
• Leadership in the relevant field of expertise
• Professional associations with lead organisations and industry bodies
• Current and previous employment history
• Their participation at conferences both in Australia and internationally
• Their contribution to several international journals, which would be utilised by researchers, academics and organisations undertaking work in the same field of research

I have submitted my Expression of Interest (EOI), will I receive acknowledgement from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA)?

Once you have submitted your EOI, an acknowledgement message will be displayed on the screen of your electronic device. However, you will not receive any email confirming that your EOI has been submitted. 

Post-submission, the DHA will contact you to either request additional documentation/information, or to issue a unique identifier code.  

How long does it take to receive the DHA’s response for an EOI? 

As of yet, there is no streamlined or published processing time for an EOI. even if you attempt emailing the DHA, you are most likely to receive an auto-response email. 

What if my profession does not fall under any of the target sectors? 

As the GTI Program is strictly scouting for individuals whose profession falls under the target sectors, there is no room for exceptions. If your profession does not fall under the target sectors, you may have to consider alternate visa options. 

Can I include family members in my Global Talent Visa application?

Yes, you can. Immediate family members can be included in your application when during or after lodgement, but ensure that you add them along before your visa is granted. If you are under 18 years old and the primary applicant, you can include your parents or a relative as part of your application.

Am I eligible for a Global Talent Visa if I hold a Bachelor’s Degree (Honours) or Master’s Degree?

Usually, applicants with a PhD are given a GTI pathway. On 20th January 2021, Master by Coursework, Master by Research and Bachelor (Honours) graduates are no longer eligible for a GTi invitation if they apply solely based on their academic qualifications. 

From there onwards, applicants who recently graduated (with the aforementioned degrees) will have to showcase additional achievements to receive an invitation. The achievements must:

• Be internationally recognized with evidence of outstanding achievements 
• Yet be prominent and relevant in the applicant’s field of expertise
• Prove that the applicant will be an asset to Australia in their field of expertise 
• Prove that the applicant will not have difficulty finding employment in Australia
• Be endorsed or recognized by an accredited organisation or individual in Australia who is in the same field as the applicant

Priority will be given to applicants who can showcase:

• Written communication from an Australian employer who is offering the applicant employment in Australia with an annual salary equivalent to or higher than the Fair Work High-Income Threshold (FWHIT)
• Current earnings in an amount to or greater than the FWHIT
• That they can attract a salary that is equal to or greater than the FWHIT 

Applicants who solely rely on their degree will find it harder to receive an invitation due to the tough competition in the GTI pathway.

Am I eligible for a Global Talent Visa if I hold a PhD?

While PhD graduates have higher chances of receiving an invitation for the Global Talent Visa, priority may be given to PhD graduates who:

• Are undertaking highly novel and/or commercialised research projects
• Have demonstrated employability skills (securing a job in their industry) 

What are some mistakes applicants make for their Global Talent Visa application? 

• Not including enough evidence: The DHA will require proof of each claim the applicant submits for their work, achievements and contribution. This may stretch the processing time and cause difficulties for the applicant to obtain their visa. 
• Including too much information: An excess of client testimonials, letters of recommendation or references may not always help an applicant. Quality over quantity matters in such cases and it is recommended that the applicant submit a few testimonials from highly regarded and recognized people in the industry rather than many testimonials that will not hold as much weightage. 
• Unclear statements: Applicants who make very generic statements about their skills are highly unlikely to receive a Global Talent Visa invitation. The DHA is specifically looking for people who have the skills required for the target sectors and can demonstrate that their skills will help the sector and Australia overall. 

Can I change my nominator in the time between EOI submission and lodgement of my Global Talent Visa application?

You can. Ensure that the selected nominator must meet the criteria to nominate you for a Global Talent Visa.

Why was my Global Talent Visa EOI unsuccessful?

While there are a number of reasons why an applicant’s EOI did not result in an invitation, here are some common reasons that have resulted in non-invitation. 

• The applicant did not demonstrate that they are internationally recognized and have contributed outstanding achievements in their field
• The applicant did not demonstrate that they would be an asset to the Australian community 
• The applicant did not demonstrate that they are prominent in their field of expertise 
• The applicant did not demonstrate that they would have no difficulty obtaining employment in Australia
• The applicant’s field of expertise does not fall under any of the target sectors

Will my nominator be contacted by the DHA? 

There is no concrete answer to this as the DHA may or may not decide to contact your nominator to verify various details. If the DHA contacts your nominator, they will be verifying details such as the nominator’s relationship with you, has the nominator indeed signed Form 1000, etc. 

On average, a call between the DHA and the nominator lasts for about 15-20 minutes, but there is no strict time limit. Nominators are advised to answer all of the DHA’s questions truthfully, as they will be advocating for the applicant and all the information that has been submitted. 

Disclaimer: Kindly note that the information provided here does not constitute legal advice. This must solely be regarded as content that provides general immigration information and is not a substitute for professional legal advice that occurs between an immigration lawyer and a client. 

Path Migration strongly recommends readers contact certified immigration lawyers for a holistic overview of the Australian immigration system and a detailed analysis of each case.

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