Provisional to Permanent Business Visa?

Business (Short Stay) visa (subclass 456)

Sponsored Business Visitor (Short Stay) visa (subclass 459)

ETA (Business Entrant) (subclass 956 and 977)

APEC Business Travel Card

If you are granted this visa, you can:

• attend to business activities in Australia including conferences, business negotiations or exploratory business visits
• enter and leave Australia once or on multiple occasions during the visa validity period
• stay in Australia for up to three months from the date of each entry
• bring your spouse or dependent children to Australia.

	To be eligible for this visa your activities in Australia must not adversely affect the employment or training opportunities of Australians.
	Your personal attributes and business background must be relevant to your business activities in Australia.
	You may be asked to provide evidence of why you need to visit Australia on business.
	You must have enough funds to support yourself and your family during your stay in Australia.
	You must meet certain health requirements and may need to undergo a health examination.
	You must meet character requirements.
	You must have no outstanding debts to the Commonwealth of Australia.

An approved sponsor is:

• a member of an Australian parliament (Commonwealth, State or Territory)
• an authorized person representing a Commonwealth, State or Territory government department or instrumentality
• a local government mayor
  or
• a representative from an approved organization that has been gazette by the Minister.

A business person granted this visa can:

• attend to business activities in Australia including conferences, business negotiations or exploratory business visits
• enter and leave Australia once or on multiple occasions during the visa validity period
• stay in Australia for up to three months from the date of each entry
• bring your spouse or dependent children to Australia.

(Short Validity) subclass 977

You can stay in Australia for up to three months on each visit within a 12 month period from the date of grant, or for the life of the passport if it is less than 12 months (single or multiple entry).

(Long Validity) subclass 956

You can stay in Australia for up to three months on each visit for the life of the passport (multiple entry).

To be eligible to apply for an ETA, you must:

• be outside Australia
• hold an ETA eligible passport

ETA eligible passports
Andorra Austria Belgium Brunei Canada Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Hong Kong (SAR) Iceland Ireland Italy Japan Liechtenstein Luxembourg	Malaysia Malta Monaco The Netherlands Norway Portugal Republic of San Marino Singapore South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland Taiwan* United Kingdom - British Citizen United Kingdom - British National (Overseas)** United States of America Vatican City
* Holders of Taiwan passports can only be processed for an ETA if resident in and applying in Taiwan. ** Holders of UK passports which indicate their nationality to be British National (Overseas) can only be processed for an ETA if resident in and applying in Hong Kong.

Business Owner (Provisional) (Subclass 160)

State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner (Provisional) (Subclass 163)

Senior Executives (Provisional) (Subclass 161)

State/Territory Sponsored Senior Executive (Provisional) (Subclass 164)

Investor (Provisional) (Subclass 162)

State/Territory Sponsored Investor (Provisional) (Subclass 165)

Investor Retirement Visa (Subclass 405)

Independent Executive Further Application Onshore (Subclass 457IEFAO)

With this visa you can:

• establish a new or existing business in Australia
• travel in and out of Australia any number of times as long as the visa is valid
• have your family accompany you to Australia. They will have access to work and study rights
• establish a pathway to permanent residence.

Eligibility requirements:

	You must be less than 45 years old.
	You must have a vocational level of English. To show this you must you have one the following: have evidence you are a native English speaker, or undertake the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). You need to take the general training test, and must achieve a band score of at least five from a maximum of nine, for all four components of the test; speaking, reading, listening and writing. (Your IELTS test results may not be more than 12 months old when you apply), or hold a NAATI accreditation in English.
	AUD$200,000 net business assets

You (and your spouse combined) had net assets in a qualifying business of A$200,000 for at least two of the four fiscal years immediately before you apply, and If the business was a publicly listed company, you (and your spouse combined) must have owned at least 10% of the business for at least two of the four fiscal years immediately before you apply.

AUD$500,000 annual turnover

The annual turnover of your main business (or two main businesses combined) was at least A$500,000 in at least two of the four fiscal years immediately before you apply.

AUD$500,000 total net assets

Your (and your spouse's) total assets have a net value of at least A$500,000, and were legally acquired and are capable of being transferred to Australia within two years of being granted this visa. You have sufficient assets (additional to those above) to settle in Australia.

	You have an overall successful business career.
	You have not been engaged in a business where the provision of professional, technical, or trade services took up more than half your time.
	You and your spouse have never been involved in unacceptable business activities.
	You have a commitment to maintain an ownership interest in a business in Australia and direct and continuous involvement in the management of that business.
	There is a need for you to live in Australia on a temporary basis to conduct or establish the proposed business activity.
	You must meet health requirements to enter Australia.
	You must be of good character to enter Australia.

Australian Values Statement

 

From 15 October 2007, if you are aged 18 years or over, you are required to sign an Australian values statement as part of your visa application. The statement is included in your visa application form and all applicants aged 18 years and over will need to sign it to confirm that they will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws. Before signing this statement you are required to have read, or had explained to you, material made available by the government on life in Australia which is contained in the Life in Australia book.

 

With this visa you can:

• establish a new or existing business in Australia
• travel in and out of Australia any number of times as long as the visa is valid
• have your family accompany you to Australia. They will have access to work and study rights
• establish a pathway to permanent residence.

Eligibility requirements:

 

	You must be less than 55 years old (except where the regional authority considers that the proposed business will be of exceptional economic benefit to the region.)
	You must be sponsored by an appropriate regional authority of a State or Territory Government.
	You must have an overall successful business career.

 

AUD$300,000 annual turnover

You must have an ownership interest in a main business (or two main business combined) with an an annual turnover of at least AUD$300,000 in at least two of the four fiscal years immediately before you apply or You are a senior manager.
 

AUD$250,000 total net assets

Your (and your spouse's combined) total assets have a net value of at least AUD$250,000 and were legally acquired and are capable of being transferred to Australia within two years of being granted this visa.

	You have sufficient assets (additional to those above) to settle in Australia.
	You have not been engaged in a business where the provision of professional, technical, or trade services took up more than half your time.
	You (or your spouse) have never been involved in unacceptable business activities.
	You must have a commitment to maintain an ownership interest in a business in Australia and have direct and continuous involvement in management of that business
	You demonstrate there is a need to live in Australia on a temporary basis for business reasons.
	You must meet health requirements to enter Australia.
	You must be of good character to enter Australia.

Australian Values Statement

 

From 15 October 2007, if you are aged 18 years or over, you are required to sign an Australian values statement as part of your visa application. The statement is included in your visa application form and all applicants aged 18 years and over will need to sign it to confirm that they will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws. Before signing this statement you are required to have read, or had explained to you, material made available by the government on life in Australia which is contained in the Life in Australia book.

With this visa you can:

• establish a new or existing business in Australia.
• travel in and out of Australia any number of times as long as the visa is valid
• have your family accompany you to Australia. They will have access to work and study rights. Your family includes your spouse and any dependants.

 

	You have an overall successful business career.
	You have occupied a position in the three highest levels of the management structure of a major business. In that position you were responsible for the strategic policy development affecting a major component or a wide range of operations of that major business, and have done so for at least two of the four fiscal years immediately before you apply.

 

AUD$500,000 total net assets

Your (or your and your spouses) total assets have a net value of at least A$500,000, and were legally acquired and are capable of being transferred to Australia within two years of being granted this visa.

	You have sufficient assets (additional to those above) to settle in Australia.
	You or your spouse (if any) have never been involved in unacceptable business or investment activities
	You must have a commitment to maintain an ownership interest in a business in Australia and have direct and continuous involvement in management of that business
	You demonstrate there is a need to live in Australia on a temporary basis for business reasons.
	You must meet health requirements to enter Australia.
	You must be of good character to enter Australia.

 

Australian Values Statement

 

From 15 October 2007, if you are aged 18 years or over, you are required to sign an Australian values statement as part of your visa application. The statement is included in your visa application form and all applicants aged 18 years and over will need to sign it to confirm that they will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws. Before signing this statement you are required to have read, or had explained to you, material made available by the government on life in Australia which is contained in the Life in Australia book.

With this visa you can:

• establish a new or existing business in Australia
• travel in and out of Australia any number of times as long as the visa is valid
• have your family accompany you to Australia. They will have access to work and study rights. Your family includes your spouse and any dependants.

Eligibility requirements:

 

	You must be less than 55 years old (except where the regional authority considers that the proposed business will be of exceptional economic benefit to the region.)
	You must be sponsored by an appropriate regional authority of a State or Territory Government.
	You must have an overall successful business career.
	You have occupied a position in the three highest levels of the management structure of a major business in which you were responsible for the strategic policy development affecting a major component or a wide range of operations of that major business for at least two of the four fiscal years immediately before you apply.
	AUD$250,000 total net assets

Your (and your spouse's combined) total assets have a net value of at least AUD$250,000 and were legally acquired and are capable of being transferred to Australia within two years of being granted this visa.

	You have sufficient assets (additional to those above) to settle in Australia.
	You have not been engaged in a business where the provision of professional, technical, or trade services took up more than half your time.
	You (or your spouse) have never been involved in unacceptable business activities.
	You must have a commitment to maintain an ownership interest in a business in Australia and have direct and continuous involvement in management of that business
	You demonstrate there is a need to live in Australia on a temporary basis for business reasons.
	You must meet health requirements to enter Australia.
	You must be of good character to enter Australia.

Australian Values Statement

From 15 October 2007, if you are aged 18 years or over, you are required to sign an Australian values statement as part of your visa application. The statement is included in your visa application form and all applicants aged 18 years and over will need to sign it to confirm that they will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws. Before signing this statement you are required to have read, or had explained to you, material made available by the government on life in Australia which is contained in the Life in Australia book.

This visa is for investors/business people from overseas who are willing to invest funds in a designated investment in Australia for four (4) years, and are less than 45 years of age.

With this visa you can:

• make a designated investment
• travel in and out of Australia any number of times as long as the visa is valid
• have your family accompany you to Australia. They will have access to work and study rights
• establish a pathway to permanent residence.

 

Eligibility requirements:

 

You must be less than 45 years old.

 

AUD$1,500,000 Designated Investment

        At the time of the decision you have made a government approved Designated Investment of A$1,500,000 in a state or territory of Australia.

You must have a vocational level of English. To show this you must you have one the following:

• have evidence you are a native English speaker
• undertake the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). You need to take the general training test, and must achieve a band score of at least five from a maximum of nine, for all four components of the test; speaking, reading, listening and writing. (Your IELTS test results may not be more than 12 months old when you apply)
• hold a NAATI accreditation in English.
   

For at least one of the five fiscal years immediately before you apply:

• You have maintained direct involvement in either managing a qualifying business in which you (or you and your spouse together) had an ownership interest of at least 10% of the total value of the business
  or
• You maintained direct involvement in managing your (or you and your spouse's combined) eligible investments. The total value of that investment was at least A$1,500,000.

	You have an overall successful record of eligible investment of qualifying business activity.
	You have a total of at least three years experience of direct involvement in managing one or more qualifying businesses or eligible investments.
	You have demonstrated a high level of management skill in relation to an eligible investment or qualifying business activity.
	You (or your spouse) have never been involved in unacceptable business or investment activities.
	You have a commitment to develop and maintain an ownership interest in a business in Australia and you must maintain direct and continuous involvement in the management of that business.

 

AUD$2,250,000 net assets

The net value of your (or your and your spouse's combined) assets was at least A$2,250,000 for the two fiscal years immediately before you apply.

	You must meet health requirements to enter Australia.
	You must be of good character to enter Australia.

Australian Values Statement

 

From 15 October 2007, if you are aged 18 years or over, you are required to sign an Australian values statement as part of your visa application. The statement is included in your visa application form and all applicants aged 18 years and over will need to sign it to confirm that they will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws. Before signing this statement you are required to have read, or had explained to you, material made available by the government on life in Australia which is contained in the Life in Australia book.

 

 

 

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With this visa you can:

• make a designated investment
• travel in and out of Australia any number of times as long as the visa is valid
• have your family accompany you to Australia. They will have access to work and study rights
• establish a pathway to permanent residence.

 

Eligibility requirements:

 

You must be less than 55 years old.

 

AUD$750,000 Designated Investment

        At the time of the decision you have made a government approved Designated Investment of A$750,000 in a state or territory of Australia.
 

For at least one of the five fiscal years immediately before you apply:

• You have maintained direct involvement in either managing a qualifying business in which you (or you and your spouse together) had an ownership interest of at least 10% of the total value of the business
  or
• You maintained direct involvement in managing your (or you and your spouse's combined) eligible investments. The total value of that investment was at least A$750,000.

	You have an overall successful record of eligible investment of qualifying business activity.
	You have a total of at least three years experience of direct involvement in managing one or more qualifying businesses or eligible investments.
	You have demonstrated a high level of management skill in relation to an eligible investment or qualifying business activity.
	You (or your spouse) have never been involved in unacceptable business or investment activities.
	You have a commitment to develop and maintain an ownership interest in a business in Australia and you must maintain direct and continuous involvement in the management of that business.

 

AUD$1,125,000 net assets

The net value of your (or your and your spouse's combined) assets was at least A$1,125,000 for the two fiscal years immediately before you apply.

	You must meet health requirements to enter Australia.
	You must be of good character to enter Australia.

Australian Values Statement

From 15 October 2007, if you are aged 18 years or over, you are required to sign an Australian values statement as part of your visa application. The statement is included in your visa application form and all applicants aged 18 years and over will need to sign it to confirm that they will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws. Before signing this statement you are required to have read, or had explained to you, material made available by the government on life in Australia which is contained in the Life in Australia book.

This visa is designed for self-funded retirees who have no dependants and who want to reside in Australia during their retirement years. The visa is temporary and will not lead to Australian permanent residence or citizenship.

If you are granted this visa you can:

• work in Australia for up to 20 hours per week
• travel in and out of Australia any number of times as long as your visa is valid
• live in Australia for four (4) years
• have your spouse accompany you to Australia.

 

Eligibility requirements:

 

	You must be 55 years of age or older. Your spouse (if any) can be any age.
	You must be sponsored by an Australian State or Territory government agency (other than New South Wales or Australian Capital Territory).
	You must have no dependent children or other dependent family members other than a spouse. If you are married or in a de facto relationship, your partner must have no dependent children or other dependent family members.
	You must have assets valued at least A$750,000. These assets will enable you (or you and your spouse) to meet initial settlement and ongoing costs of living in Australia. The assets must be

• legally owned and lawfully acquired by you (or you and your spouse)
• capable of and available for, transfer to Australia

Exception: If you intend to live in regional Australia you must have assets valued at least A$500,000. You must have held all of the assets listed above for 2 years prior to you lodging your application, unless the assets are related to superannuation and/or inheritance. If you are intending to sell assets to enable transfer of funds to Australia, then please note that they should not be sold until you are advised to do so by your immigration case officer.

You (or you and your spouse combined) must have access to a minimum net income of A$65,000 (for example, pension rights). Exception: If you intend to live in regional Australia you must have access to a minimum income of A$50,000.

 

You must be able to make a designated investment of A$750,000 in your name (or your name and your spouse's name), in the State or Territory in which you have been sponsored. Exception: If you intend to live in regional Australia you must make a designated investment of A$500,000.

 

You must have evidence that you, and your spouse (if any), hold an adequate health insurance package for the period of your intended stay in Australia. For health insurance to be considered adequate, it must: be fully comprehensive or

• provide coverage that is at least equivalent to Medicare (including coverage of 85 per cent of costs for hospital, emergency, and general practitioner services) and
• provide coverage for pharmaceuticals.

 

	You must have no intention of working full-time in Australia (you, and your spouse if applicable, will only be allowed to work up to 20 hours per week while in Australia.)
	You and your family must meet health requirements for you to enter Australia. You will require an examination from a doctor, and possibly a chest x-ray and further medical tests.
	You and your family must be of good character for you to enter Australia.

Applying for a further Investor Retirement visa

You may apply for one or more further Investor Retirement visas if you meet the following requirements.

	You hold or have held an Investor Retirement visa.
	You must be sponsored by an Australian State or Territory government agency other than NSW or the ACT.
	You or your spouse must have no dependent children or other dependent family members other than a spouse.
	You need to have a minimum net income stream (for example, a pension) that can be accessed for yourself or yourself and your spouse. If you live in a metropolitan area the minimum is A$65,000 or if you live in a regional area, the minimum is A$50,000.
	You are able to make or maintain a designated investment in your name or your name and your spouse's name, in the State or Territory in which you have been sponsored. If you live in a regional area you need to invest a minimum of A$250,000, and if you live in a metropolitan area you need to invest a minimum of A$500,000.
	You have evidence that you and your spouse, if applicable, have held and continue to hold adequate health insurance.
	You and your spouse, if applicable, will only be able to work up to 20 hours per week while in Australia.
	You and your spouse are of good health and character.
	You have maintained the Designated Investment associated with your previous Investor Retirement visa for the period of that investment.

Independent Executive Further Application Onshore (Subclass 457IEFAO)

 

 

For holders of a Temporary Business (Long Stay) Independent Executive visa (subclass 457IE) who need more time to be eligible to apply for a permanent business visa.

 

	You must have conducted a business in Australia for at least 15 months as a principal.. Exception: If less than 15 months you must have received an endorsement of the business as beneficial to a State or Territory from a relevant State/Territory Government business development agency.
	Your business must be of benefit to Australia.
	You must maintain an ownership interest in the business.
	You must maintain direct and continuous involvement in the management of the business.
	You must also make decisions that affect the overall direction and performance of the business from day to day.
	Your background must be relevant to and consistent with proposed business activity and the department knows of nothing adverse about your business background.
	You must have net assets of A$250,000 or a lesser approved amount, and the assets must be available to conduct or establish the business.
	You must have a need to be temporarily resident to conduct the business.

Business Talent (Migrant) (Subclass 132)

Business Owner (Residence) (Subclass 890)

State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner (Residence) (Subclass 892)

Established Business in Australia (Subclass 845)

Regional Established Business in Australia (Subclass 846)

Investor (Residence) (Subclass 891)

State/Territory Sponsored Investor (Residence) (Subclass 893)

 

This visa is designed for high caliber business people who are owners or part owners of an overseas business and have a genuine and realistic commitment to participate in the management of a new or existing business in Australia. You must be sponsored by a state or territory government and need to be less than 55 years old.

With this visa you can:

	work in a new or existing business in Australia
	travel in and out of Australia any number of times as long as the visa is valid
	study in Australia
	have your family accompany you to Australia. They will have access to work and study rights
	live in Australia as a permanent resident for five years.

 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

	You must be less than 55 years old (except where the regional authority considers that the proposed business will be of exceptional economic benefit to the region).
	You have an overall successful business career.
	You must be sponsored by an appropriate regional authority of a State or Territory Government.
	You (and your spouse combined) had net assets in a qualifying business of A$400,000 for at least two (2) of the four (4) fiscal years immediately before you apply.
	The annual turnover of your main business (or two main businesses combined) was at least A$3,000,000 in at least two of the four fiscal years immediately before you apply.
	Your (or your and your spouse's) total assets have a net value of at least A$1,500,000, and were legally acquired and are capable of being transferred to Australia within two years of being granted this visa.
	You (or your spouse) have never been involved in unacceptable business activities.
	You have a commitment to maintain an ownership interest in a business in Australia and direct and continuous involvement in the management of that business.
	You must meet certain health requirements and may need to undergo a health examination.
	You must be of good character for you to enter Australia.

Australian Values Statement

From 15 October 2007, if you are aged 18 years or over, you are required to sign an Australian values statement as part of your visa application. The statement is included in your visa application form and all applicants aged 18 years and over will need to sign it to confirm that they will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws. Before signing this statement you are required to have read, or had explained to you, material made available by the government on life in Australia which is contained in the Life in Australia book.

 

 

To be eligible for this visa you must have met the obligations of the provisional visa you held, as well as meeting the following requirements.

You are the holder of one of the following provisional visas for a total of at least one year in the two years immediately before you apply

 

	Business Owner (Provisional) (subclass 160)
	State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner (Provisional) (subclass 163)
	Senior Executive (Provisional) (subclass 161)
	State/Territory Sponsored Senior Executive (Provisional) (subclass 164)
	Investor (Provisional) (subclass 162)
	State/Territory Sponsored Investor (Provisional) (subclass 165)