Business Visas , Australia Immigration

• An overall successful business career. This is a fairly subjective criteria. It is good to show an overall history of owning a business or managing a business.

• In two of the last four fiscal years the Australian business visa applicant has had ownership in a qualifying business that had a turnover of at least AUD$300,000 (two of the last four - the best two years out of the last four fiscal years).

• Combined business and personal assets have a net value of AUD$250,000 which are available for the running of a business in Australia and were lawfully acquired. They must also be available for transfer within two years of the grant of the Australian visa.

• The Australian business visa applicant must also have sufficient assets for settlement and use in Australia.

• The Australian business visa applicant must not have been engaged in a business where the provision of professional, technical or trade services takes up more than 50% of their time.

• The Australian business visa applicant must not have been involved in business or investment activities considered unacceptable in Australia.

• The Australian business visa applicant must have either been sponsored by a state or territory or has notified the appropriate regional authority of a state or territory of their business history and intentions to develop a business in that state or territory.

• The Australian business visa applicant must have a genuine and realistic commitment to participate, as a substantial owner, in the management of a new or existing business which will benefit Australia.

• The Australian business visa applicant must have demonstrated that there is a need to be temporarily in Australia to conduct business.

'Ownership' is defined as being:

• A minimum of a 10% shareholder in a pty ltd company and holding share certificates; or

• A partner in a partnership and holding a partnership deed; or

• Registered as a sole trader.

A 'qualifying business' is a business defined as one which is actively operating for the purposes of making profit and is not set up primarily for passive or speculative purposes, i.e. the sale of goods/services must be distinguished from passive investment. For example rental income from investment property.

Additional Information

The business plan will need to contain relevant local business market knowledge and accurate financial forecasts. Therefore Global Visas does not recommend submitting any application until a visit to Australia has been made to undertake the relevant research. Global Visas has a dedicated relocation coordinator to assist in planning preliminary visits for prospective Australian business owner visa applicants. A Global Visas consultant will be able to advise further on this service.

Migration to Australia on a business owner visa is based on the system outlined above. The total requirements are open to change and are dependent on decisions made by the DIMIA. A Global Visas consultant will advise any changes to this upon initial consultation.

Health & Character

• Undergo a medical examination and chest X-ray undertaken by one of a panel of doctors selected by the Australian authorities, and;

• Obtain police certificates for all countries in which they have lived for more than 12 months in the 10 years leading up to the application.

Processing Times