The Australian Business Visa Program encourages successful business owners, investors and senior executives to settle in Australia while developing new or existing opportunities in Australian business.
There are 2 pathways for Business Skills entry to Australia:
- As a Provisional Visa holder with eligibility for permanent residence after establishing a business in Australia (Business Innovation and Investment (subclass 188) visa); or
- Direct Permanent Residence for high calibre business applicants sponsored by a State/Territory government (Business Talent (subclass 132) visa).
Business Talent (subclass 132) visa:
The second pathway leading to direct permanent residence is only open to high-calibre business migrants sponsored by a State/Territory government. This category is known as the Business Talent Visa (see below).
Business Innovation and Investment (subclass 188) visa:
Business migrants taking the first pathway must undergo a 2-stage progression to obtain residency. As such, visa holders are first granted a Business Skills (Provisional) Visa for 4 years and, after establishing the requisite level of business or maintaining their suitable investment, will be eligible to make an application for a Business Skills (Residence) Visa.
The Business Skills Program is divided into 5 categories:
- Business Innovation Stream
- Investor Stream
- Significant Investor Stream
- Premium Investor Stream
- Entrepreneur Stream