As from 1st March, 2003 DIMIA has introduced a new set of Business Visas to replace the current set of Business Visas available to potential applicants. These new Business Visas alter the way a potential Business migrant applies for Permanent Residency in Australia and in the assessment of their Application.

Business Applicants no longer are required to face a “Points Test” in their assessment, though they do, in some circumstances, have to meet certain age and English Language ability criterion.

In most circumstances, potential Business migrants will apply for, and be granted, a Temporary Visa valid for up to 4 years. After the Business applicant has been granted their Temporary Visa and entered Australia, they are required to either establish, or purchase into, a business in Australia.

The potential Business migrant is then able to apply for permanent Residency in Australia once they meet the criteria for the grant of the Permanent Business Visa. This can occur after the applicant has either establish or owned/purchased into a business for at least 2 years, or held an acceptable investment for at least 4 years. This criteria relates to the establishment, or purchase of, a continually successful business in Australia.

Investment Visas:
Temporary: Subclasses 162 & 165; Permanent: Subclasses 891 & 893:

A person who has a successful record of managing an investment(s) or a business(es) is able to obtain Permanent Residency in Australia through the investment in specifically designated securities.

Sponsorship can be provided by a State or Territory Government when they consider the applicant, and not simply their Investment, will of exceptional economic benefit to the State/Territory. This Sponsorship, for the most part, lowers the threshold criteria the applicant must meet in order to be granted Temporary Residency.

Upon providing evidence of continuous success in managing an investment(s) or business(es), and of holding current investments in the specifically designated securities, the applicant is granted Temporary Residency in Australia for up to five years. During this period the applicant is required to continue to hold investments of AUD$1,500,000.00 (only AUD$750,000.00 if sponsored by a State or Territory Government) in the specifically designated security for at least 4 years. After this 4 year period the applicant can apply for, and be granted, Permanent Residency in Australia.

Non-Sponsored applicants must be under 45 years of age and possess Vocational English. Sponsored applicants can by under 55 years of age and do not necessarily require English.

An Australian State or Territory Government bond is a kind of bond issued by the Australian State or Territory Government. The fund will be used for the construction of government facilities and public works projects. The interest rate of the Investment is decided by the interest rates on the date of purchase.

The opportunity to purchase Bonds as a means of gaining Permanent Residency enables applicant to indicate their willingness to contribute to the growth and development of the State or Territory they wish to reside in. At the same time this method also provides an opportunity for those who have an interest in migrating to Australia and who have the financial resources to contribute to the Australian economy without necessarily becoming employed or involved in business management and activities.

Business Owner Visas:
Temporary: Subclasses 160 & 163; Permanent: Subclass 890 & 892:

For those persons who have had a overall successful business-ownership and senior management career and possess significant business and personal assets are able to obtain permanent residency in Australia based upon their business ownership/management and value of their business and personal assets.
Sponsorship by a State or Territory Government can be available to those applicants deemed to be of exceptional economic value to the Sponsoring State or territory. This Sponsorship, for the most part, lowers the threshold criteria the applicant must meet in order to be granted Temporary Residency.

Upon providing evidence of the business ownership history and value of personal and business assets, the applicant is granted a temporary visa for up to 5 years. This will enable them to establish or, purchase into, an Australian business.

Non-Sponsored applicants must have business assets of AUD$200,000.00, and business and personal assets together worth at least AUD$500,00.00. The annual turnover of the business(es), for at least 2 year prior to the application, must have been at least AUD$500,000.00.

Sponsored applicants need only held, for at least 2 years immediately prior to the lodgement of the application, an ownership interest in a business with an annual turnover of at least AUD$300,000.00 and possess both personal and business assets together worth at least AUD$250,000.00.

Non-Sponsored applicants must be under 45 years of age and possess Vocational English. Sponsored applicants can by under 55 years of age and do not necessarily require English.

Sponsored applicant can have an employment history in a senior management position rather than necessarily being a Business Owner.

After possessing an Ownership Interest in an Australian business for at least 2 years, the Temporary Resident is eligible to apply for Permanent Residency based upon the successfully operated Australian business(es)

A successfully operated Australian business(es) is/are one that has/together have had an annual turnover of at least AUD$300,000.00 and has employed at least 2 full-time, non- applicant-related Australia citizens or Permanent Residents.

In the 12 months immediately prior to the application the non-Sponsored applicant must possess business assets of at least AUD$100,000.00 and business and personal assets together to the value of AUD$250,000.00. The turnover of the business during this period must have been at least AUD$300,000.00 and have employed at least 2 non-applicant related Australian Permanent Residents, Australian citizen or eligible New Zealand citizen.

Again, Sponsorship by a State or Territory Government is available to those applicants deemed to be of exceptional economic value to the Sponsoring State or territory. Likewise, this Sponsorship, for the most part, lowers the threshold criteria the applicant must meet in order to be granted Permanent Residency.

In the 12 months immediately prior to the application the Sponsored applicant must possess either, business assets of at least AUD$75,000.00, or business and personal assets together to the value of AUD$250,000.00, or have employed at least 1 non-applicant related Australian Permanent Residents, Australian citizen or eligible New Zealand citizen. The turnover of the business during this period must have been at least AUD$200,000.00.

This Visa category is designed for those applicant who have a successfully history of business ownership and who wish to become involved in owning and managing a successful business in Australia.

Senior Executive Visas:
Temporary: Subclasses 161 & 164; No Permanent Subclasses:

For those persons who have had a successful career, occupying a position in the 3 highest levels of management in a major business and possess significant business and personal assets are able to obtain permanent residency in Australia based upon their business career and the value of their business and personal assets.

Sponsorship by a State or Territory Government can available to those applicants deemed to be of exceptional economic value to the Sponsoring State or territory. This Sponsorship, for the most part, lowers the threshold criteria the applicant must meet in order to be granted Temporary Residency.

Non-Sponsored applicants must be under 45 years of age and possess Vocational English. Sponsored applicants can by under 55 years of age and do not necessarily require English.

The applicant must have held a position in the one of the 3 highest levels of management in a business with a turnover of at least AUD$50,000,000.00 (AUD$10,000,000.00 if Sponsored by a State or Territory Government). The business and personal assets of the applicant must be at least AUD$500,000.00 (AUD$250,000.00 if Sponsored).

Upon providing evidence of their employment history and value of personal and business assets, the applicant is granted a temporary visa for up to 5 years. This will enable them to establish or, purchase into, an Australian business. Applicants must establish or purchase an Australian business to obtain Permanent Residency. The applicant will, in the main part, apply for the new Business Owner Visa (Residency) (see above) or the existing Establish Business in Australia/regional Establish Business in Australia.

This Visa category is designed for those applicant who have a successfully history of business management, but not ownership, and who wish to become involved in owning and managing a successful business in Australia in order to become eligible for Permanent Residency as a business owner in Australia.

Business Talent Visa:

Permanent: Subclass: 132; No Temporary Subclasses:

For those business persons of ‘high calibre’ who have a successful business ownership and management career can apply directly for Permanent Residency.
Sponsorship by a State or Territory Government can available to those applicants deemed to be of exceptional economic value to the Sponsoring State or territory. This Sponsorship, for the most part, lowers the threshold criteria the applicant must meet in order to be granted Temporary Residency.

Non-Sponsored applicants must be under 55 years of age whilst Sponsored applicants can by under 55 years of age. Neither applicants do not necessarily require English

Upon providing evidence of their business ownership and management history and the value of their personal and business assets, the applicant is granted Permanent Residency.

The applicant must have had an ownership interest of at least AUD$400,000.00 in a qualifying business(es). The business(es) must have had, for at lest 2 years prior to the application, an annual turnover of at least AUD$3,000,000.00.

The applicant must also possess personal and business assets together worth at least AUD$1,500,000.00.

This Visa category is designed for those applicant who have a successfully history of business ownership and who wish to become involved in owning and managing a successful business in Australia. The ‘high calibre’ status of the applicant enables them to directly obtain Permanent Residency without first needing to establish a successful business in Australia.