Business Migration

Structure of the Business Skills Program

Since 1 March 2003, the majority of all Business Skills migrants entered Australia initially on a provisional (temporary) visa for four years and, after satisfactory evidence of a specified level of business or investment activity, may apply for permanent residence. These arrangements continue to provide for the entry of business owners, senior executives and investors.

The pathway to permanent residence is designed to give clarity and certainty to provisional business migrants and relies upon the establishment and management of genuine business activity in Australia.
High calibre business migrants may apply for a Business Talent visa to obtain direct permanent residence if they have high level business attributes and are sponsored by a state or territory government agency.

Business Migration (Provisional) visas

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

Business Owner (Provisional) (subclass 160) is for people with a successful business career, including senior management or ownership, who have significant business assets and have a genuine and realistic commitment to participate as a principal in the management of a new or existing business in Australia. Applicants in this category may be sponsored by a state/territory government (subclass 163).

Senior Executive (Provisional) (subclass 161) is for senior executive employees of major overseas businesses who have been responsible for strategic policy development affecting a major component or a wide range of operations of that business, who have significant net assets and a genuine and realistic commitment to participate as a principal in the management of a new or existing business in Australia. Applicants in this category may be sponsored by a state/territory government (subclass 164).

Investor (Provisional) (subclass 162) is for investors/business people who have an overall successful record of business or investment activities, have significant net assets, are willing to invest funds in a designated investment in Australia for four years and have a genuine commitment to maintain business and investment activity in Australia. Applicants in this category may be sponsored by a state/territory government (subclass 165) which allows for a smaller amount of investment.

Investor Retirement (Temporary) (Subclass 405) A temporary visa for people aged 55 years or older who are able to make a significant long term financial investment in Australia. This visa is not a pathway to a permanent visa.

Business Migration (Permanent) visas
For people who have established the required level of business in Australia while holding a provisional visa.

Established Business in Australia (EBA) (subclass 845) category or
Regional Established Business in Australia (REBA) (subclass 846) category if sponsored by a state/territory government

Business Owner (Residence) (subclass 890) category or if sponsored by a state/territory government (subclass 892).

Investor (Residence) (subclass 891) category or if sponsored by a state/territory government (subclass 893).