Business Visas
Business Visas
The business immigration program to Australia is aimed at encouraging business people and
investors to move to Australia.
The key criteria for business immigration applicants include:
- Having a specific amount of assets that can be transferred to Australia after immigration.
- Demonstrating a successful business track record in their home country before immigrating (for some visa categories).
- Creating a business plan for Australia (for some visa categories).
- Being at least 45 years old to be eligible for business immigration.
- Some circumstances allow businessmen and investors to immigrate without having to prove English proficiency
Australia Immigration Services
There are only four business immigration streams to Australia that can be divided into two categories based on the proposed activities in Australia:
- Active Business Participation
- Passive Investing.
Active Business Investing:
Primary requirements for the Business Innovation stream include having a minimum of 3 years of business management experience, an annual business turnover of at least AU $750,000 for the last two years, family assets totaling at least AU $1,500,000 for the last two years, scoring at least 65 points on the business visa points test, being under the age of 55, and having a successful business career with a genuine desire to continuously own and manage a business in Australia.
Passive Investing:
Primary requirements for the Investor stream include having managed a qualifying business or investments for at least 3 years, family net assets of at least AU $2,500,000 for the last two years resulting from business or investment activities, making a complying investment of at least AUD2.5 million, holding complying significant investments continuously throughout the provisional visa, and investing in specific proportions. These proportions include at least AUD500,000 in venture capital and growth private equity funds, at least AUD750,000 in approved managed funds focusing on emerging companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, and a ‘balancing investment’ of at least AUD1.25 million in managed funds. Additionally, applicants must score at least 65 points on the business visa points test and be under 55 years old.
Visa conditions:
Business Innovation and Investment (Subclass 188) - Provisional
The Provisional Business Visa 188 is the initial and most important step in the immigration process for many businessmen and investors.
All applicants must receive nomination from the state/territory, which adds further requirements on top of the basic conditions set by the
Department of Home Affairs. This visa is categorized into 4 streams:
The Australian state or territory nomination process requires recognition from the government agency in order to develop your
entrepreneurial ideas. To determine your eligibility, you must reach out to the specific state or territory. You must also have the intention to
initiate and maintain a compliant entrepreneurial venture in Australia. This venture should be centered around an innovative concept that will
lead to the commercialization of a product or service, or the establishment of a business in Australia. Additionally, you must demonstrate
proficiency in English at an IELTS level of 6. Age must be below 55 years. Entrepreneurial activities cannot involve residential real estate, labor
hiring, or the purchase of an existing business or franchise in Australia.
The Australian state/territory nomination requires individuals to be under 55 years of age and have a minimum of 65 points in the business
points test. They must have a successful business career without any legal issues and genuine intentions to be involved in business or
investment in Australia after the initial investment period.
To be eligible for the visa application, they must meet one of the following conditions for at least 1 out of 5 years before applying:
- Manage a business with ownership of at least 10% (individually or with their spouse)
- Manage investments of at least $1.5 million (individually or with their spouse)
- Invest $2.5 million of free funds earned from business or investment activities in a complying investment for the duration of the provisional
visa (188) (3-5 years). This investment must be made in the following proportions: - At least AUD500,000 in venture capital and growth private equity funds that invest in start-ups and small private companies.
- At least AUD750,000 in approved managed funds that invest in emerging companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.
- A ‘balancing investment’ of at least AUD1.25 million in managed funds.
Business Innovation and Investment (SUBCLASS 888) - Permanent
Visa 888 is a permanent business visa specifically for individuals who have resided in Australia on a provisional visa 188. It is sponsored by the
Australian state or territory government that sponsored the applicant’s provisional visa. The state or territory may impose additional conditions
in addition to the terms set by the Department of Home Affairs. Visa 888 represents the final stage of five streams:
- Business Innovation stream
- Investor stream with a minimum investment of AUD 1.5 million
- Significant Investor stream with a minimum investment of AUD 5 million
- Premium Investor stream with a minimum investment of AUD 15 million
- Entrepreneur stream
Visa conditions:
To apply for visa 888, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be the primary holder of a provisional business visa 188
- Not engage in any illegal business or investment activities.
- Be nominated by an Australian state or territory.
- Meet the specific stream requirements of visa 888.
You must hold a provisional visa 188 and live in Australia for at least 40 days each year (in total), or your spouse must have been in Australia for
at least 180 days each year. Additionally, you must maintain 4 years of appropriate investment during the validity of your visa.