BUSINESS VISAS

For people to come to Australia for a business-related visit. Also for people to establish, manage or develop a new or existing business, or invest in Australia

Some common visa application requirements

 Must notify ‘appropriate regional authority’ of business background and business intention
 Applicant has successful business career (or eligible investment track record)
 Neither applicant (nor spouse) has record of business or investment activities of a nature not generally acceptable in Australia
 Applicant has realistic commitment to take part in running qualifying business as substantial owner (or maintain investment activity) in Australia in a manner which will benefit Australia
 Applicant signs undertaking regarding Business Skills obligations

Visa Options

Business visits

Business Development Temporary

Business Development Permanent

 

Business visits

For business people to visit Australia for business purposes, for example, to attend a conference or training session, to conduct business with an Australia-based organisation, to conduct business negotiations or for an exploratory business visit.

Business (Short Stay) visa (subclass 456)

For business people to make a short business visit to Australia for up to three months. Business activities may include a conference, negotiation or exploratory business visit, but do not include acting, musical performances or commercial film making.

Sponsored Business Visitor (Short Stay) visa (subclass 459)

For business people who have an approved sponsor in Australia and may not be eligible to apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). For short business visits to Australia up to three months

ETA (Business Entrant) (subclass 956 and 977)

For business people who need to make business visits to Australia for up to three months. Available to passport holders from a number of countries and regions.

APEC Business Travel Card

The APEC Business Travel Card streamlines travel for business people from participating economies in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) region.

Business Development – Temporary/Provisional

These visas, known as Business Skills visas, are for business people to establish a business in Australia, manage a new or existing business or invest in Australia. All except the Investor Retirement visa offer a pathway to permanent residence.

Business Owners

Business Owner (Temporary)

For people who have a successful business career, and have a genuine and realistic commitment to be involved as an owner in a new or existing business in Australia.

State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner (Temporary)

For people sponsored by a state or territory of Australia. Applicants must have a successful business career, and a genuine and realistic commitment to be involved as an owner in a new or existing business in Australia.

Senior Executives

Senior Executives (Temporary)

For senior executive employees of a major overseas business, who have significant net assets and a genuine and realistic commitment to participate in the management of a new or existing business in Australia.

State/Territory Sponsored Senior Executive (Temporary)

For senior executive employees of a major overseas business, sponsored by a state or territory of Australia, who have significant net assets and a genuine and realistic commitment to participate in the management of a new or existing business in Australia.

Investors

Investor (Temporary)

For people who have a successful business or investment career, and have a genuine and realistic commitment to be involved in investing or business in Australia.

State/Territory Sponsored Investor (Temporary)

For people sponsored by a state or territory of Australia, who have a successful business or investment career, and have a genuine and realistic commitment to be involved in investing or business in Australia.

Investor Retirement Visa (Temporary)

A temporary visa for people aged 55 years or older who are able to make a significant long term financial investment in Australia. This visa is not a pathway to a permanent visa.

Independent Executives

Independent Executive Further Application Onshore

For holders of a Temporary Business (Long Stay) Independent Executive visa (subclass 457IE) who need more time to be eligible to apply for a permanent business visa.

Business Development - Permanent

These visas, known as Business Skills visas, are for people who have established the required level of business in Australia while holding a provisional visa. A direct permanent residence visa is also available for high-calibre business people.

High-Calibre Business People

Business Talent (Migrant)

For high calibre business people, sponsored by a state or territory of Australia, who are owners or part owners of an overseas business and have a genuine and realistic commitment to participate in the management of a new or existing business in Australia.

Business Owners

Business Owner (Residence)

For people to assist in the economic development of Australia. This visa allows you to stay in Australia on a permanent basis for the purpose of owning a new or existing business.

State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner (Residence)

For people, sponsored by a state or territory of Australia, to assist in the economic development of Australia by ownership of a new or existing business.

Established Business in Australia

For people who, as a temporary resident, have established a business in Australia, and have a proven ownership interest in one or more successful businesses in Australia.

Regional Established Business in Australia

For people who, as a temporary resident, have a proven ownership interest in one or more successful businesses in Australia. You must be sponsored by a state/territory government authority.

Investors

Investor (Residence)

For people who hold an Investor (provisional) visa and have maintained their designated investment/s for at least 4 years. Applicants must have have been in Australia for at least 2 of the last 4 years.

State/Territory Sponsored Investor (Residence)

For people who hold an Investor (provisional) visa and have an overall successful record of business or investment activities, and significant net assets to invest in a designated investment in Australia for four years. Applicants must also have a genuine commitment to maintain business and investment activity in Australia and be sponsored by a state/territory authority.