Business visas are for business people who want to migrate to Australia and run their business in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a business visa?
A business visa is a visa for international investors and business owners who wish to establish business operations in Australia. There are different types of business visas that people with business skills can apply for. Note: the 188 is not open to new applicants:
- Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) Subclass 188 visa: This is a temporary business visa that allows you to stay in Australia for 4 years with the possibility of extending it for up to four more years. There are five different streams:
- Business and Innovation Stream: This is a provisional business visa for those who want to start a new business or buy into an existing business in Australia
- Investor Stream: This is a provisional business visa for those who want to make a designated investment in Australia of at least AUD 1.5 million
- Significant Investor Stream: This is a provisional business visa for those who want to make an investment in Australia of at least AUD 5 million
- Premium Investor Stream: This is a provisional business visa for those who want to make an investment in Australia of at least AUD$15 million
- Entrepreneur Stream: this is a provisional business visa for those who are entrepreneurs and have a funding agreement from a third party for at least AUD$200,000 to undertake a complying entrepreneur activity in Australia
- Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) Subclass 888 visa: This business visa is the second stage of the Business Innovation and Investment visa. This business visa allows you to stay in Australia permanently
- National Innovation (subclass 858) visa: This is a permanent visa for people who have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in an eligible area.
What are the requirements for a 188 or 888 business visa?
Business visas are assessed against a points test. Applicants for a business visa will need to meet the pass mark of 65 points. This will depend on your age, English language ability, qualifications, experience in business or investment, net personal assets, business turnover, innovation and special endorsement. In addition, most Investors and business visas require a state nomination before applying. The points test does not apply if you are applying for the Significant Investor stream, the Premium Investor Stream, the Business Innovation Extension or the Significant Investor Extension.
You can use the Department of Home Affairs’ tool to calculate your points.
What are the requirements for the National Innovation visa?
The NIV (subclass 858) seeks top international talent in areas that will benefit Australia’s future. This includes:
- global researchers
- entrepreneurs
- innovative investors
- athletes and creatives
To apply, you must first lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI). You should attach to your EOI the following documents:
- your passport bio-data page
- your resume/CV
- evidence of your highest qualification
- if you are nominated by an expert Commonwealth, State or Territory Government agency, a supporting statement from the agency and a completed Form 1000 (538KB PDF)
Your EOI will be valid for two years. If you are invited to apply, you must then lodge your visa application. Once invited, you have 60 days to lodge the visa application.
To learn more about business visas, book a free 10 minute consultation with one of our immigration lawyers to get answers to your business visa questions.
