Brit lands invite-only Aussie visa after uncovering vuln in government systems

A British security researcher has secured Australia's strictest, invite-only visa after discovering a critical vulnerability in a government system.

The Australian government invited Jacob Riggs to apply for its Subclass 858 National Innovation visa (NIV), which is reserved for those "who have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in an eligible area."

Only the most exceptional migrants are invited to apply, including those who demonstrate strong potential to grow the Australian economy in key sectors. The government lists Nobel Prize winners, Olympic gold medallists, recipients of national research grants, and PhD holders as examples of those who could be eligible.

Riggs, a 36-year-old Londoner and aspiring Australian resident for most of his adult life, submitted an expression of interest for the NIV in April and patiently waited for the outcome.

Months later, with his application still sitting in the review queue, he went about looking for ...