Visa processing times / Subclass 858

858 Global Talent Visa processing time

As of 9 November 2026, Home Affairs reports that 90% of recently decided Global Talent visa / National Innovation visa (Distinguished Talent / Global Talent (Independent)) applications were finalised within 24 months, and half within 16 months.

Half decided within

16 months

9 in 10 decided within

24 months

Estimate my decision date

Distinguished Talent / Global Talent (Independent)Updated 9 November 2026

24 months

for 90% of applications

Applications decided in the period ending 30 September 2026

  1. 25% decided within13 months
  2. 50% decided within16 months
  3. 75% decided within19 months
  4. 90% decided within24 months

Source: Department of Home Affairs, global visa processing times.

Key facts

  • As of 9 November 2026, Home Affairs reports that 90% of Global Talent visa / National Innovation visa (Distinguished Talent / Global Talent (Independent)) applications were decided within 24 months, 75% within 19 months, 50% within 16 months and 25% within 13 months.
  • The figures cover applications decided in the period ending 30 September 2026 and are measured from lodgement to decision.
  • Across the 2 858 streams, National Innovation was quickest (90% within 7 months) and Distinguished Talent / Global Talent (Independent) slowest (90% within 24 months).
  • Home Affairs revises these processing times about once a month.

Checked against Home Affairs every day. Last checked 11 November 2026.

Cite this page

AusVisaClock. “858 visa processing time.” Updated 9 November 2026. https://ausvisaclock.com/858-visa-processing-time/

The figures come from the Department of Home Affairs. You may quote them with a link to this page.

858 processing times by stream

National Innovation is the quickest stream (90% within 7 months); Distinguished Talent / Global Talent (Independent) is the slowest (90% within 24 months).

Stream25%50%75%90%Spread
Distinguished Talent / Global Talent (Independent) 13 months 16 months 19 months 24 months
National Innovation 56 days 78 days 4 months 7 months

Updated 9 November 2026 for applications decided in the period ending 30 September 2026.

When could my 858 be decided?

Enter the date you lodged. We add the department’s published percentiles to it and show where today falls: how many applications like yours were decided in the time you have already waited.

This runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us unless you save it to an account.

How the 858 wait has moved

The gap between the median and the 90th percentile is about 8 months, so a minority of applications take far longer than most.

Trend starts with the next release.

AusVisaClock records every release the department publishes from November 2026. Once the next one is out, this chart shows how the 90% time for Distinguished Talent / Global Talent (Independent) has moved, and Pro members get an email the day it changes.

858 visa processing time questions

How long does the 858 visa take?

In the department’s latest figures (published 9 November 2026, for applications decided in the period ending 30 September 2026), 50% of Global Talent visa / National Innovation visa (Distinguished Talent / Global Talent (Independent)) applications were decided within 16 months, 75% within 19 months and 90% within 24 months. Times differ by stream: see the table above.

What do the 25%, 50%, 75% and 90% figures mean?

They are percentiles of recently decided applications. “90% within 24 months” means nine in ten applications decided in the reporting period took 24 months or less from lodgement to decision. They describe applications that have already been decided, so they lag behind changes in the queue and do not guarantee a time for any single application.

My 858 application is past the 90% time. What now?

Some applications take longer, for example when the department asks for more information, health or character checks are still open, or the application was incomplete when lodged. The department says it is usually not useful to contact it before the processing time has passed. After that, you can check your ImmiAccount and use the department’s enquiry form. For advice about your own application, speak to a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner.

How often are these processing times updated?

The Department of Home Affairs revises its global processing times about once a month, a few weeks after the end of each reporting period. AusVisaClock checks the department’s figures every day, updates this page when they change, and keeps each release so you can see the trend.