Australia Business Visas

There are different types of visas that Australia offers for business visa candidates, which together make up the Australian business skills migration program. In all cases these visas may be issued as a state or territory sponsored visa and involve a two stage process. Initially they are granted for a period of four years, after which, providing that the requirements of the specific business visa are fulfilled, a candidate may apply for a business skills (residence) visa, otherwise known as permanent residence in Australia. Applying for an Australian business visa through a state or territory sponsorship reduces some of the qualification requirements; however, candidates must first secure sponsorship from the State or Territory to which they intend to immigrate.

Australian Business Visas

Australian Business Owner Visa

Australian Business Owner Visa requires that a candidate has had an 'overall successful business career' prior to their application. Candidates must be proficient in the English language, under the age of 45 and must fulfil the following key requirements.

A candidate must have had an ownership interest in a business or businesses with an annual turnover of no less than AUS $500,000 for two of the last four years.
For the same period, a candidate must be in possession of assets in the business or businesses with a value of at least AUS $200,000. Where a candidate and their spouse are applying together this figure applies to their combined assets.
A candidate's business and personal assets (including where applicable those of their spouse) must be worth a minimum of $500,000 and this sum must be available for transfer to Australia within two years of the issue of a business visa.
A candidate must not have been involved in a business in which providing professional, technical or trade services accounted for 50% of their time.

In addition candidates must not have been involved in any enterprise at which would not be considered acceptable in Australia and it must be shown that candidates have a genuine desire and intention to start or invest in an Australian business.

State Sponsored Australian Business Owner Visa

State Sponsored Australian Business Owner Visas employ many of the same requirements as the non-state sponsored variant. However, there are some key differences, including the fundamental requirement that a candidate must have been sponsored by an Australian State or Territory government.

The requirement of an ownership interest in a business or businesses is still present and still applies to two of the four years prior to application. However, the monetary value required is lowered to AUS $300,000. Alternatively, a candidate may qualify by having had sound business experience for 4 years immediately preceding the application as a senior manager supervising other managers. However it is important to note that it is generally expected that businesses capable of supporting a management structure of this kind would have an annual turnover of at least AUS $1 million.
The combined business and personal assets of the applicant and, where applicable, their spouse are reduced from AUS $500,000 in the non-state sponsored route to AUS $250,000.
Finally, the state sponsored route raises the applicable age limit from 45 years to 55. However, applications from individuals beyond the age of 55 may be possible where the sponsoring state considers the business activities of the applicant to be of exceptional economic value.

Australian Business Senior Executive Visa

The Australian Business Senior Executive Visa involves many of the same criteria as the Business Owner Visa category, with the key difference being that candidates do not need to demonstrate an ownership interest in a business. Instead, for the same period, candidates should demonstrate their occupation of a position in the three highest levels of management in a major business, in a role which included responsibility for policy development for a major part of the business. Candidates must also notify the State or Territory in question of their history in business and their intention to bring their skills and experience to Australia.

State Sponsored Australian Business Senior Executive Visa

Applying for the state sponsored variant requires candidates to meet the same criteria with some differences. Firstly, as with any of the state sponsored visas for Australia, a candidate must be sponsored by the relevant State or Territory. The personal and business assets combined, whether as an individual or jointly if an candidates spouse is applying with them, must be worth at least AUS $250,000, half of the amount required for the non-state sponsored visa. Finally, the age limit is raised to 55 and may be raised further in exceptional cases where a candidate's expertise is recognised by their sponsoring State or Territory as being of exceptional economic benefit.

Australian Business Investor Visa

The third component of the Australian business skills migration program is the Australian Business Investor Visa. The basic requirements are the same as the other Australian visas, except for the following specific requirements.

An applicant must have directly managed a qualifying business or eligible investments for a total of at least three years. A Global Visas consultant will be able to discuss the requirements for qualifying businesses and investments with you.
For at least one year during the five years directly prior to the application candidates must have either been directly involved in managing a qualifying business where they or their spouse owned at least 10% or been directly involved in managing eligible investments worth at least AUS $1 million.
The net value of a candidate's assets, whether singularly or combined with those of their spouse must be worth at least AUS $2.5 million and a Designated Investment of AUS $1.5 million must be made.

State Sponsored Australian Business Investor Visa

The state sponsored variant of the Australian Business Investor Visa, like state sponsored variants of the other business visas reduces the financial requirements and increases the age limit for applications.

The one year requirement for managing a business with at least a 10% ownership stake within the last five years remains, however, for managing eligible investments, the total value is reduced to AUS $750,000.
For the two years prior to application the net value of the individual or couple applying must be at least AUS $1.125 million and the Designated Investment must be at least AUS $750,000.
Finally, the age limit is once again raised to 55 with the possibility of older candidates deemed to be of particular economic value being permitted to apply.

Permanent Residence Business Visas

As outlined above, provisional business visas for Australian immigration are issued for a period of four years beyond which an applicant may apply for permanent residence. Once again, permits may be issued as state sponsored or non state sponsored, and applications will depend upon specific criteria for each stream having been met during the candidate's time on a temporary business visa. Business owners for example must demonstrate that they have had an ownership interest in an Australian business for 2 years and created positions of employment. A Global Visas immigration consultant will be able to discuss the specific requirements of permanent business visas for Australia with you.

Australian Retirement Visa

This category of non permanent visa is designed for those who have significant assets and wish to retire in Australia. A visa for this class does not lead to permanent residency but its four year duration may be renewed indefinitely. Candidates must be self sufficient and must arrange private healthcare as they will not be eligible for Australian state benefits. It is permitted to work for up to 20 hours per week although the nature of this visa generally means that candidates neither need nor intend to work in Australia.

Applying for an Australian Retirement Visa

Candidates must be sponsored by a State or Territory and the funds required will vary depending upon whether the applicant wishes to settle in a regional (low growth) area or a non-regional area. For the former, candidates must have at least AUD $500,000 available for transfer to Australia as well as a minimum of AUS $ 50,000 p.a. from investments or pensions. For the latter, the figures are AUS $750,000 and AUS $65,000 respectively.

Candidates will also be required to make a minimum investment in State/Territory government bonds of AUS $500,000 for regional areas or AUS $750,000 for non regional areas.

The main applicant for this class of Australian visa service must be at least 55 years of age and whilst an candidates spouse may join them, no other dependents are permitted on this visa class.

Australian Business and Investment Visas - Health & Character

It is important to note that the same stringent health and character checks which apply to all long term Australian visas also apply to visas for business and investment. Among these, all candidates will be required to undergo a chest X-ray carried out by an authorised Australian doctor, and provide police checks for all countries of residence for more than one year in the decade preceding their application.

To find out which Australia business visa route is right for you, visit the Global Visas online assessment area today.