Distinguished Talent Visa
As indicated by its title, emigrating to Australia under the distinguished talent visa category is based predominantly on the exceptional ability of the applicant in the arts, sport, or research and academia.
Duration
The distinguished talent visa subclass is a permanent one. People emigrating to Australia on this type of visa will be granted permanent residency status. Australian citizenship may be applied for after a two-year period providing relevant criteria have been met.
Eligibility Criteria
Age
There is no age restriction for migration to Australia under the distinguished talent visa category, however if you are aged under 18 years old or over 55 years old then you must also: provide evidence that you are financially independent; and show that you are likely to be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community.
Skills & Qualifications
The main applicant must:
- Be able to demonstrate an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in the arts, sport, or research and academia;
- Still be prominent in their profession;
- Be seen to be an asset to the Australian community, i.e. be able to show how settlement in Australia could contribute economically, socially or culturally to the nation as a whole - not just a local community;
- Prove that they will have no difficulty in obtaining employment or in becoming established independently in Australia in a profession, the arts, sport, or research and academia.
Nomination
The applicant must be nominated by:
- An Australian citizen, or
- An Australian permanent resident, or
- An eligible New Zealand citizen, or
- An Australian organization.
(Note: The person or organization making the nomination must have a national reputation in the applicant's field of expertise).
Health & Character
Australia has strict health and character requirements that must be met before any permanent visa of more than 12 months will be granted. People seeking migration to Australia in this category will be required to:
- Undergo a medical examination and chest X-ray undertaken by one of a panel of doctors selected by the Australian authorities, and;
- Obtain police certificates for all countries in which they have lived for more than 12 months in the 10 years leading up to the application.
Processing Times
The current processing time for migration to Australia under this category is circa six months from the start of the process. A Global Visas consultant will be able to advise you of the latest processing times.
