AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MAY 8, 2017

1933 Act File No. 002-73024

1940 Act File No. 811-03213

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933	☒
Post-Effective Amendment No. 198	☒

and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 ☒

Amendment No. 199 ☒

(Check appropriate box or boxes)

NATIONWIDE VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST

(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)

ONE NATIONWIDE PLAZA

MAIL CODE 5-02-210

COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215

(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE) (ZIP CODE)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (614) 435-5787

Send Copies of Communications to:

ALLAN J. OSTER, ESQ. 10 WEST NATIONWIDE BOULEVARD COLUMBUS, OH 43215	PRUFESH R. MODERA, ESQ. STRADLEY RONON STEVENS & YOUNG, LLP 1250 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, N.W., SUITE 500 WASHINGTON, DC 20036
(NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

It is proposed that this filing will become effective: (check appropriate box)

☒ immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

☐ On [date] pursuant to paragraph (b)

☐ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

☐ on [date] pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

☐ 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)

☐ on [date] pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485.

If appropriate, check the following box:

☐ This post-effective amendment designated a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for the effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 198/199, to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Columbus, State of Ohio, on this 8^th day of May 2017.

NATIONWIDE VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST
BY:	/s/ Allan J. Oster
	Allan J. Oster, Attorney-In-Fact for Registrant

PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NOS. 198/199, TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT OF NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FUNDS HAS BEEN SIGNED BELOW BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE CAPACITIES INDICATED ON THE 8^th DAY of MAY, 2017.

Signature & Title

Principal Executive Officer

/s/ Michael S. Spangler*

Michael S. Spangler, President, Chief

Executive Officer and Principal Executive Officer

Principal Accounting and Financial Officer

/s/ Joseph Finelli*

Joseph Finelli, Vice President, Treasurer and

Principal Financial Officer

Trustees

/s/ Charles E. Allen*

Charles E. Allen, Trustee

/s/ Paula H.J. Cholmondeley*

Paula H.J. Cholmondeley, Trustee

/s/ Phyllis Kay Dryden*

Phyllis Kay Dryden, Trustee

/s/ Barbara I. Jacobs*

Barbara I. Jacobs, Trustee

/s/ Keith F. Karlawish*

Keith F. Karlawish, Trustee

/s/ Carol A. Kosel*

Carol A. Kosel, Trustee

/s/ Douglas F. Kridler*

Douglas F. Kridler, Trustee

/s/ Lydia M. Marshall*

Lydia M. Marshall, Trustee

/s/ David C. Wetmore*

David C. Wetmore, Trustee and Chairman

*BY:	/s/ Allan J. Oster
	Allan J. Oster, Attorney-In-Fact

EXHIBIT INDEX

Index No.	Description of Exhibit
EX-101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
EX-101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
EX-101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
EX-101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
EX-101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase
EX-101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase