Permanent Business Visas

Business owners, senior executives and investors are eligible to apply for a Business Skills visa. Business people may make an application for most Business Skills visas overseas or in Australia. There are a number of categories which may apply to you as shown below:

Business Owners

Business owners are required to demonstrate that they have had a successful business career overall and that for two of the four fiscal years preceding their application they have:

• had net assets in business of not less than AU$200 000
• been involved in and responsible for the overall management of a business in which they have at least ten per cent ownership.

As well as meeting these requirements, business owners must pass a points test which assesses factors such as turnover, annual labour costs, total business assets, age, language ability and net personal assets.

Senior executives

Senior executivesmust demonstrate that they have had a successful business career and:

• for two of the four years preceding their application they have been employed in the top three levels of management of a business which has an annual turnover of not less than AU$50 million;
• pass a points test which assesses factors such as age, English language ability and net personal assets.

Investment-linked applicants

Investment-linked applicants must demonstrate a history of successful ownership and management in business and/or investment activities. In addition, applicants must:

• make an investment into a State or Territory government security of between AU$750 000 and AU$2 million, for a period of three years;
• demonstrate that they have assets worth at least 50 per cent more than their proposed investment; and
• pass a points test which assesses age and English language ability.

Established Business applicants

Established Business applicants can only apply for this visa while in Australia, and while holding a temporary visa other than a Bridging visa or a Criminal Justice visa. They must demonstrate that they:

• have managed a business in Australia in which they have at least ten per cent ownership, for 18 months prior to application;
• have had assets in Australia worth $250 000, of which $100 000 must be invested in the business, for 12 months prior to application;
• have been resident in Australia for a total of nine months during the 12 months prior to the application;
• pass a points test which takes account of turnover or exports, number of employees, net assets, age and English language ability.

Regional Established Business in Australia

Regional Established Business in Australia applicants can only apply for this visa while in Australia, and while holding a temporary business entry (long stay) visa (subclass 457). They must demonstrate that they:

• have managed a business in a designated area of Australia, in which they have at least ten per cent ownership, for two years prior to application (Designated areas are: all of Victoria, SA, NT, Tasmania and the ACT and anywhere in QLD except Brisbane and the Sunshine and Gold Coast, WA except Perth and NSW except Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong);
• have achieved an annual turnover of at least $200 000 or exports of at least $100 000 in that business for each of the two years prior to application;
• have had assets in Australia worth $200 000, of which $75 000 must be invested in the business, for two years prior to application;
• have been resident in Australia for a total of one year during the two years prior to the application;
• pass a points test which takes account of age, English language ability, number of employees and net assets.