The Sponsored Business Visitor (Short Stay) visa (Subclass 459)

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Get your Australian business visa sponsored

If you have an approved sponsor in Australia, you might be eligible for a Sponsored Business Visitor (Short Stay) visa (Subclass 459). This visa allows you to make a short visit to Australia for up to three months. Once in the country, your business activities may include a conference, negotiation or exploratory business visit.

This visa is for business people who have an approved sponsor and are not eligible to apply for an eVisitor or an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA).

Who can sponsor me?

To be eligible for this visa, you must have an approved sponsor in Australia. An approved sponsor is:

  • A member of an Australian parliament (Commonwealth, state or territory)
  • An authorised person representing a Commonwealth, state or territory government department or instrumentality
  • A local government mayor
  • A representative from an approved organisation that has been gazetted by the Minister

What can I do with this visa?

Successful applicants for 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 their partner or dependent children to Australia

Security bond

In general, security bonds are not required. However, the sponsor may be requested to lodge a security bond for a business visitor and their family members. The amount is determined on a case-by-case basis, and is generally between AU$5,000 and AU$15,000 per person.

The bond is returned after the business visitor leaves Australia, within the validity of their visa. However, it may be forfeited if the visitor breaches any of the visa conditions.

Am I eligible?

To apply for this visa, you must:

  • Apply from outside Australia
  • Have a sponsor in Australia to guarantee you are making a genuine business visit
  • State the activities you intend to perform in Australia on your application
  • Provide evidence of educational or professional qualifications
  • Provide evidence of current employment and your intended role during your visit to Australia
  • Show that the company you work for is an actively operating business

You may also be asked to provide evidence of why you need to visit Australia. This may include:

  • A letter of invitation from your host organisation in Australia
  • Conference registration details
  • Your employment contract
  • A letter from your employer stating the reasons for their visit
  • Your itinerary with contact details of the business parties involved

Additionally, there are financial requirements that you must fulfil in order to prove you have enough funds to support yourself and your family in Australia. You may be asked to provide bank statements, a letter from a financial institution stating your financial position, and return or onward plane tickets.

As with most other visas, you must also meet health and character requirements. In addition to this, you must not have any outstanding debt to the Commonwealth.

What next?

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