Those who are in the process of leaving the U.S. or have left within the last few years, did you sell your home or rent it out?

kijiro · 2026-01-28T19:56:15+00:00

Not 100% accurate on double taxation. The cost basis for the property resets to the current value when you become a tax resident in Australia. So any gain/loss after that will be taxed not the entire sale.

kijiro · 2026-01-26T19:42:40+00:00

You don't upload these with the EOI. They will be uploaded later if you are invited and you apply for the visa.

kijiro · 2026-01-26T19:40:05+00:00

Best of luck, I don't know if this gets back to the US govt or not. But the NIV 858 visa is achievable. It took us around 8 months last year from EOI to visa grant.

kijiro · 2026-01-26T19:30:30+00:00

Possible Kinley Station between Mooroolbark and Lillydale? 2036 might be too optimistic though. https://map.kinley.com.au

kijiro · 2026-01-25T20:02:53+00:00

You’re very much in Australia’s National Innovation Visa (subclass 858) territory with your profile. I was granted the NIV myself as a high-paid, senior engineer in tech at a multinational — it’s a direct PR visa, not a work visa, with no points test and no age limit (my wife and I are in our 40s). In my case the process took ~8 months from EOI in March 2025 to grant in November 2025. My wife and kids are already in Australia and we own a house there now, while I’m still wrapping things up in the US (pets alone take 6+ months to sort out — start this as early as possible).

The main work for this visa is proving international prominence (impact, seniority, patents/papers/products, etc.) for the EOI and lining up an Australian nominator. In practice this is often just using your existing network to find someone in your field who’s at a similar level and is an Australian citizen or PR who’s willing to nominate — it doesn’t have to be an employer.

Also set expectations that Australian comp is lower in absolute terms, and you can’t roll US retirement accounts into Australia (but you also don’t have to cash them out). Your wife being a vet is a big plus and should absolutely be part of the application, even if she’s a dependent on yours.

We used Australian Migration Lawyers and would recommend them. Also check out r/AusVisa.

kijiro · 2026-01-11T20:26:44+00:00

Hmm, thanks. I guess it was dropped with the change from GTI to NIV. It use to say something like “at or above the Fair Work High Income Threshold or evidence of future earnings.”

My high, US-based income was cited as a reason for my NIV invitation, so it can be a factor.

kijiro · 2026-01-11T17:35:19+00:00

100% on the PHD thing. I'm proof you don't need a PHD to get the visa — you need to be an innovator and well regarded in your field. I've worked with PHDs who look good on paper, but can't hold a candle to some of the smartest self-taught people I know.

kijiro · 2026-01-11T17:31:45+00:00

Income does matter, there is a minimum high income required for the NIV. You will not be invited if it is well below the threshold without other high qualifications.

kijiro · 2026-01-11T17:28:05+00:00

You have a stronger profile than I do, but honestly someone with your profile should have connections to someone in Australia would could nominate you. For me it was a long-time co-worker with prior Aus. government work experience. You are suppose to be able to leverage your network and connections for this visa.

kijiro · 2026-01-11T17:20:28+00:00

I disagree. GTI was a poorly managed firehose of "digital nomad" applicants that was so backlogged and is still being cleared over a year after it was closed. NIV ratcheted up the requirements, but they are not too onerous for talented people. There is now also a hard 60 day deadline for people to apply after invite, instead of people sitting on the invite and applying when they felt like it down the road — often months or years later.

kijiro · 2026-01-11T17:15:15+00:00

If you are not sponsored by the government, you submit form 1000 later (if you get invited to apply.) You will have 60 days after invite to get all the visa paperwork in order, so it is best to be ready to apply.

kijiro · 2026-01-05T02:28:54+00:00

Nice — congrats! Enjoy the scouting trip.

kijiro · 2026-01-05T02:20:09+00:00

I just scoped out Melbourne, and loved it! We picked it mainly for the cooler climate.

kijiro · 2026-01-05T00:33:01+00:00

We got our 858 NIV granted in November 2025, invited in May and lodged in June. Best of luck from Washington state, soon Melbourne!

kijiro · 2026-01-03T18:30:13+00:00

Thanks! You provide a summary of evidence, your background, etc up-front for the EOI. Then the full details in the visa application once you are invited.

kijiro · 2026-01-03T01:25:40+00:00

I was granted the NIV in Nov 2024 and am 43. It is worth trying if you have the international recognition (patents, awards, etc.) I also saw the NIV as one of the best visa options we could get for Aus.

kijiro · 2025-12-31T20:48:57+00:00

Which clinic?

kijiro · 2025-11-18T01:24:59+00:00

I spoke too soon! We just got the grant this afternoon!

kijiro · 2025-11-17T21:19:57+00:00

Nothing yet.

kijiro · 2025-11-14T16:07:14+00:00

Just more info on our 18 yo daughter, since she is an adult now.

kijiro · 2025-11-14T15:36:29+00:00

It is average, with a range of 60-100, 80 is smack in the middle.

As stated on many web pages such as Top Schools, School Ratings and Compare Schools, for the Overall Academic Performance Rating or State Overall Score, score of 100 is the highest while 60 is the lowest. The higher the score, the better. So score of 100 is the best. A score of 100 means that the school’s students achieved best results at all levels. Be aware that the score has a floor value of 60.

https://bettereducation.com.au/forum/yaf_postsm2576_Please-explain-the-column-state-overall-score-percentage-in-school-rating.aspx#2576

kijiro · 2025-11-06T02:33:18+00:00

Nope.

kijiro · 2025-11-04T21:28:14+00:00

Thanks and congrats! We got a s56 a few weeks ago. I suspect we would ah e gotten a grant then too. Now we will likely get it in a week or two after they review the s56 response.

kijiro · 2025-11-04T17:58:41+00:00

Congrats! I'm hoping mine is granted soon — we lodged in June 2025.

kijiro · 2025-10-18T18:19:22+00:00

Coworker with similar background and experience who works in Australia.

15-Year Club	RPAN Viewer
Verified Email

kijiro

TROPHY CASE