Provisional business visas

Australia’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship offers a selection of temporary visas designed to offer a pathway to a permanent visa for business migrants looking to establish a business in Australia, manage a new or existing business, or invest in Australia. Categories of qualification are divided into business owners, senior executives, investors and independent executives.

These visas are generally granted for a period of four years, and after two years the holder may be eligible to apply for a permanent Business Skills visa.

1. Business owners

Business Owner (Provisional) (Subclass 160)

This visa is for people who have a successful business career, and have a genuine and realistic commitment to be involved as an owner in a new or existing business in Australia. It will allow the holder to establish a new or existing business in Australia, travel in and out of Australia an unlimited number of times while the visa remains valid, and allow work and study access to the holder’s family. Applicants must be less than 45 years old.

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

This visa is for people sponsored by a state or territory of Australia. Applicants must have a successful business career, and a genuine and realistic commitment to be involved as an owner in a new or existing business in Australia.

It will allow the holder to establish a new or existing business in Australia, travel in and out of Australia an unlimited number of times while the visa remains valid, and allow work and study access to the holder’s family. Applicants must be less than 55 years old. To qualify, you must be sponsored by an appropriate regional authority of a state or territory government.

2. Senior executives

Senior Executives (Provisional) (Subclass 161)

This visa is for senior executive employees of a major overseas business, who have significant net assets and a genuine and realistic commitment to participate in the management of a new or existing business in Australia.

It will allow the holder to establish a new or existing business in Australia, travel in and out of Australia an unlimited number of times while the visa remains valid, and allow work and study access to the holder’s family. Applicants must be less than 45 years old and show that through their career experience they have obtained the skills to successfully manage a business in Australia.

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

This is for senior executive employees of a major overseas business, sponsored by a state of territory of Australia, who have significant net assets and a genuine and realistic commitment to participate in the management of a new or existing business in Australia.

It will allow the holder to establish a new or existing business in Australia, travel in and out of Australia an unlimited number of times while the visa remains valid, and allow work and study access to the holder’s family. Applicants must be less than 55 years old and show that through their career experience they have obtained the skills to successfully manage a business in Australia.

3. Investors

Investor (Provisional) (Subclass 162)

This is for people who have a successful business or investment career, and have a genuine and realistic commitment to be involved in investing or business in Australia. Applicants must be willing to invest funds in a designated investment in Australia for four years. It will allow the holder to make a designated investment, travel in and out of Australia an unlimited number of times while the visa remains valid, and allow work and study access to the holder’s family. Applicants must be less than 45 years old.

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

This visa is for people sponsored by a state or territory of Australia, who have a successful business or investment career, and have a genuine and realistic commitment to be involved in investing or business in Australia. Applicants must be willing to invest funds in a designated investment in Australia for four years.

It will allow the holder to make a designated investment, travel in and out of Australia an unlimited number of times while the visa remains valid, and allow work and study access to the holder’s family. Applicants must be less than 55 years old.

Investor Retirement Visa (Subclass 405)

This visa is for self-funded retirees who have no dependents (other than a partner/spouse). It will allow the holder to live in Australia for up to four years, work up to 20 hours per week, and travel in and out of Australia an unlimited number of times while the visa remains valid.

This temporary visa is for people aged 55 years or older who are able to make a significant long-term financial investment in Australia. Unlike the other investor categories, this visa is not a pathway to a permanent visa. However, there is an option to apply for further ongoing Investor retirement visas, provided you continue to meet the requirements.

4. Independent executives

Independent Executive Further Application Onshore (Subclass 457IEFAO)

This visa is for existing 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.

It was developed in recognition of an emerging number Independent Executive visa holders who faced visa expiry, but were legitimately in Australia, and allows the holder to remain in Australia to continue business activities as an owner and travel in and out of Australia and unlimited number of times while the visa remains valid. This visa is valid for only two years, and allows your spouse, dependent children and other dependent relatives to travel with the main applicant.

SOURCE: Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Australian Government