20 January 2021
The Distinguished Talent 858 and 124 visas have now been renamed the 858 Global Talent visa. A 124 visa can now be granted while the applicant is onshore, and the 858 visa can be granted to an offshore applicant.
Changes to the Global Talent Independent 858 visa program on 20 January 2021 now prevent Masters and Honours students from receiving an invitation, based solely on their academic qualifications. The changes mean that PhD students are the only students now eligible for this program.
This policy change affects all future EOI assessments, and applies to EOI submissions made by candidates who have not yet received an invitation to the Global Talent program by 20 January 2021.