Australia Business Visa – Experts You Can Trust

When it comes to business expansion and investment, Australia is one of the most popular choices among entrepreneurs. Due to its small population, not many would think of expanding their businesses here. However, the country’s economy is currently ranked 13th worldwide, attracting many foreign investors and businesses across the globe. It also has a close tie to many business countries, such as Japan and the United States, which is also one of the reasons behind its strong and growing economy.

Although it is separated from most countries, it has managed to attract businesspeople globally. To this day, the country’s diversified economy continues to grow and proves itself worthy of its current global ranking.

Are you are planning to become a business owner in Australia? With proper research and guidance, your path to an Australian Business Visa can be a breeze. Discover your options to open your business in Australia in no time at all.

We prepared a simple yet detailed guide of the various Australian Business Visas, requirements, and conditions. We hope that you find the information you need below.

Business Innovation and Investment

The Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) Visas were introduced by the Australian government back in 2012. The 4 visa streams under the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) category can lead to Australia permanent residency.

Business Innovation Stream

This is for entrepreneurs looking to expand their current business or start a new one in Australia. It is valid for 4 years and 3 months. To qualify, you will need to meet several eligibility requirements. For example:

• Be under 55 years 
• Be nominated by an Australia State or Territory government agency
• Score 65 on the points test
• Meet language requirements
• Meet health and character requirements
• Meet business ownership and assets requirements
• Meet annual turnover and minimum investment requirements

Once eligible for a permanent visa, you can bring family members with you.

Investor Stream

This is the perfect choice for investors and businesspeople who want to participate in investing activities in Australia. An amount of AUD1.5 million or more must be invested in an Australia State or Territory and maintain business or investment activity in the country.

To qualify for this Australian business visa, you will need to meet several eligibility requirements. For example:

• Be under 55 years 
• Be nominated by an Australia State or Territory government agency
• Score 65 on the points test
• Meet language requirements
• Meet health and character requirements
• Meet business ownership, management, and experience requirements
• Meet minimum investment requirements

Same as the previous visa, this is valid for 4 years and 3 months. Once eligible for permanent residency, you can bring some of your family members with you.

Significant Investor Stream

This Australian business visa is for those who want to participate in investment activities in the country. An amount of AUD5 million or more must be invested in Australian investments that meet specific requirements.

To be qualified, you will need to meet several eligibility requirements. For example:

• Must be nominated by an Australia State or Territory government agency
• Can invest AUD5 million or more, and must have an intention to hold that investment for 4 years
• Must meet language requirements
• Must meet health and character requirements
• Must not be involved in any illegal investment activities

This is valid for 4 years and 3 months and provides a pathway to permanent residency.

Business Innovation Extension Stream

This visa allows current holders of the previously mentioned types of Australian business visas to extend their stay for 2 more years. To apply, you will need to meet several eligibility requirements. For example:

• Must have a nomination to apply by a State or Territory agency
• Must hold the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) – Subclass 188 visa for 3 years
• Must not have held two or more Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) – Subclass 188 visas
• Must be able to provide proof for the need to stay longer in the country
• Maintained an ownership interest in your business
• Must have maintained a commitment to participate in the day-to-day management of the business

Australian Business Visa Process

The process of applying for the business visa Australia offers has three steps: the registration process, profile preparation, and submission of application.

Before applying for your visa, you must check if you qualify through a visa eligibility assessment. You will then need to meet the requirements of the visa type you will apply for. Your initial requirements will be to present basic identifying documents, such as your passport, proof of residence (utility bill or similar), etc.

All applications are carefully assessed by the government. Hence, the processing time varies from case to case. Some factors that may affect the processing time are as follows:

• The amount of time it will take you to provide additional information if asked by the government
• The time it would take the department to review your information and verify it
• The time it would take by the department to get information from an external agency, particularly when it involves a background check, and a matter of health or national security
• The number of spots available (every immigration program has a limited quota)

Furthermore, the processing time varies according to the type of business visa you are applying for.

ETA Business Visa Requirements

Aside from long-term visas, there is also an option to apply for a business visitor visa for Australia. This is the perfect choice for businesspeople who will only stay in the country for a short period to attend business matters. For a single visit visa, a maximum of three months of stay is given. Multiple entry visas are also given a maximum of three months per visit.

This type of visa is only for short-term business visitor activities, such as contractual negotiations, business inquiries, and conferences. No work should be done in Australia since this is not a work visa.

An Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is a business visitor visa for Australia that replaces the usual visa label in a passport. It was introduced in 1996, allowing entry to the country with an electronic link to your passport. This is a more convenient way as it reduces the need to visit an Australian Embassy during application.

Just like the traditional business visitor visa, the ETA allows holders to stay in the country for a maximum of three months per visit.

For the Australian ETA Short Stay Business Visa Application, you must hold a passport from one of the following countries:

• United States of America
• South Korea
• Singapore
• Malaysia
• Japan
• Hong Kong (SAR PRC)
• Canada
• Brunei – Darussalam

In the case where you do not have a passport to any of the regions listed above, you can apply at an Australian visa office, airline, or travel agency. Upon starting your application process, you will also be asked to present the following information:

• Passport
• Email address
• Valid credit card

The details provided in your ETA application should be the same as the ones found in your passport. Of course, the same passport provided in your online ETA application should be the one used when travelling.

Conditions of your ETA Business Visa

To avoid termination of your visa or getting blacklisted, here are some of the conditions that come with your ETA visa.

• Working on an ETA Business Visa is highly illegal. You can only partake in business visitor activities, such as attending conferences, conducting business inquiries, or contractual negotiations.
• You must not have any criminal records with a sentence of a total of 12 months or more. It does not matter if you have served this sentence or not.
• You can stay in Australia for a maximum of 3 months per entry only.
• After your ETA has been granted, you can enter and leave the country for 12 months, from the date of approval or until the expiry date of your passport.

It is essential to keep these conditions in mind while travelling to prevent unwanted legal matters from happening and avoid disruptions in your stay in Australia.