Lock in a 190 place early — miss this round and you wait another year. If you already have your skills assessment and English test result ready, then —
now is the best moment to make your move on a Northern Territory 190 PR!
The 2025–26 MINT program intake is officially open. Because it accepts applicants from around the world, the number of places is extremely limited, and the industry widely expects them to be taken within just one or two weeks.
This means that if you complete the process inside the window, you have the chance to lock in a Northern Territory 190 state-nominated place early in this financial year — with no more long waiting.
Against the current backdrop of Australian states tightening skilled migration and fierce competition among high-scoring EOIs, the Northern Territory MINT program — with its dual-track model of “skills + compliant fund investment” — has become the only pathway in Australia that is open to offshore applicants and delivers permanent residency in a single step.
For applicants with lower points, an older age profile, or occupations outside the most popular lists, it is without question the most certain and realistic migration comeback opportunity this year.
The current state of Australian migration
1. Traditional business investment pathways have closed
2. The newly introduced National Innovation visa has a high bar
Only well-known entrepreneurs, investors, scientists, athletes and similar profiles have a real shot.
3. Skilled migration competition is growing ever fiercer
Applicants with low EOI scores, older ages, or occupations outside the popular lists face heavy competition.
Highlights of the Northern Territory MINT program
MINT stands out as the most relaxed and feasible migration pathway currently available.
Program highlights | Northern Territory MINT — a government-backed innovation migration channel
The Northern Territory MINT program (Migration Innovation Northern Territory) is jointly led by the Darwin Innovation Hub and PASPALIS Capital, with full backing from the Northern Territory Government. It is purpose-designed for offshore applicants who fall short on technical points: through compliant investment, applicants can secure a Northern Territory state-nominated place, apply directly for an Australian skilled migration visa, and reach permanent residency in a single step.
- Open to offshore applicants with a direct route to PR: MINT is one of the very few programs that allows offshore applicants to obtain state nomination and PR in a single step.
- Safe and reliable: over the past several years applicants have had their visas granted smoothly and investments returned on time — the program’s safety and reliability have been proven in practice.
- Flexible investment portfolio (the detailed investment ratios below may change in future): * 50% into Northern Territory government bonds (or equivalent bonds) * up to 20% into early-stage and emerging businesses that bring economic benefit to the Northern Territory * around 30% into other state government bonds or Northern Territory commercial property * up to 1% into social contributions that support the Northern Territory’s economy and community development. Minimum total investment: AUD 590,000 (PIIF 7 investment ratio).
The MINT program offers offshore applicants a genuinely workable path to obtain Australian PR quickly and securely through investment.
– PTE score requirements: for tests sat before 7 August 2025: 50 in all four skills. For tests sat on or after 7 August 2025: Listening 47, Reading 48, Writing 51, Speaking 54. From 7 August, Australia’s visa English-language requirements underwent a major overhaul, and PTE scores were adjusted accordingly.
– Occupation requirements: the nominated occupation must be on the federal government’s occupation list, and the applicant must hold a valid skills assessment.
– EOI points: a total of 65 points is required (state nomination points included).
– Ties of residence: the primary applicant must not have close ties to another Australian state. If such ties exist, the applicant will need to provide evidence of stronger ties to the Northern Territory; otherwise they will only be able to apply for the MINT program’s 491 visa.
Recent successful visa grants
Just yesterday, on the 19th, we received another new 190 MINT success case — nominated occupation: Marketing Specialist, EOI score 65, visa granted smoothly with no background check.
For applicants who can’t reach the points threshold of mainstream skilled migration, the Northern Territory MINT program is, without doubt, a rare comeback opportunity.
The Newstarsec team has extensive experience with the program, and multiple clients have already been approved via MINT. Only a small number of places remain — the window is closing fast, so make the most of this financial year’s final application opportunity.
Once the migration window closes, the opportunity won’t wait. Now is the time to act.
