How long are Australian Business Visas valid for ?

A Business Talent (Migrant) and the Business Skills (Residence) visas are permanent visas allowing permanent stay in Australia.

A Business Skills (Provisional) visa is valid for four years.

How much money can I take into Australia ?

There is no limit. However, you must declare cash you bring to Australia if the value is A$10,000 or more.

Where do I have to be when I or my agent lodges my Australian business visa application ?

You can be inside or outside of Australia when you lodge your application for a Business Talent (Migrant) or for a Business Skills (Provisional) visa.

The primary applicant must be inside Australia when lodging an application for a Business Skills (Residence) visa. However dependent applicants may be in or outside Australia at the time of lodgement.

If I apply to migrate to Australia under the 'Business Skills' category then will I need to attend an interview ?

Most Business Skills applicants will need to attend an interview or have a telephone interview to discuss their business history and business intentions in Australia and any other issues requiring clarification in order to fully assess that they meet the requirements set down in law for the grant of your visa. In some instances, Departmental officers may also visit your business.

The Business Skills Processing Centre or departmental Business Centre in Australia will contact you to arrange for you to attend an interview at a convenient location or to conduct a telephone interview.

When do I have to get into business in Australia ?

If you are granted a Business Owner or Senior Executive (Provisional) visa, you will be required to buy in to an existing business or establish a new business in Australia at least two years before your Business Owner or Senior Executive (Provisional) visa expires. This is because you must own and manage a business in Australia for at least two years in order to qualify for permanent residence.

Your business must also meet certain thresholds for you to qualify for permanent residency. You may need to allow extra time for your business to reach these thresholds, if the business is not already doing so.

If you are granted an Investor (Provisional) visa, you will be required to maintain your investment in Australia until the grant of your Investor (Residence) visa.

After being granted a Business Skills (Provisional) visa, what assurance can I receive about the grant of a Business Skills (Residence) permanent visa ?

The objective of the two-stage business skills process is to make permanent residence available to people who have been successful in getting into business in Australia or who have maintained their investment in Australia for four years. If you have achieved this, you will be able to apply for a Business Skills (Residence) visa.

Your business has to achieve certain thresholds to qualify for permanent residency. If you are unable to meet these thresholds, you will not be eligible for a Business Skills (Residence) visa and, unless you are able to qualify for another type of visa, you and your family will not be able to remain in Australia.

Am I required to live in Australia for a minimum period of time as the holder of an Australian Business Skills (Provisional) visa ?

The Australian Business Skills (Provisional) visa allows you to depart and re-enter Australia as many times as you want during the four years validity period. You are not required to remain in Australia continuously.

However, if you apply for a Business Owner (Residence) visa, one of the criteria requires you to have been physically present in Australia as the holder of a Business Skills (Provisional) visa for at least 12 months during the two years immediately prior to lodging your application.

Furthermore, you must have maintained a direct and continuous involvement with the day-to-day management of your business for at least two years prior to your application. Unless you were living in Australia during this time, it would be difficult for you to meet this requirement.
If you are seeking to qualify for an Investor (Residence) visa, one of the criteria requires you to have been physically present in Australia for at least 24 months during the four years immediately prior to lodging your application.

When will I be able to apply for a Business Skills (Residence) visa ?

If you hold a Business Owner (Provisional) or Senior Executive (Provisional) visa, you may apply for a Business Owner (Residence) visa once you successfully get into business in Australia.

To meet the criteria for a Business Owner (Residence) visa, however, you must have obtained an ownership interest in a business and have maintained a direct and continuous involvement with the day-to-day management of that business in Australia for a least two years prior to your application.

Therefore, it is unlikely that you would be able to apply for a Business Owner (Residence) within the first two years of your stay in Australia.

If you hold an Investor (Provisional) visa, you will be eligible to apply for an Investor (Residence) visa once your have maintained your investment in Australia for four years.
Therefore, you will not eligible for the grant of an Investor (Residence) visa until four years after your investment was made.

You should be aware that if you attempt to lodge your application for an Investor (Residence) visa at an earlier date, your application may be refused as you have not maintained your investment for the full four years.

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