Business & Investor Visa Australia | The Ultimate Guide
Australia is the best choice if you wish to grow your business overseas or invest in an existing market. The booming economy, secure market, and the democratic government of Australia are the reasons that attract foreign investors to Australia. However, its continuous development is not all Australia offers. Australia is also a country with unique locations, dynamic industries, and a strong workforce. There are several investment visa options offered to suit different businesses and investments. Therefore this is a friendly path for those who wish to invest in Australia. This ultimate guide will help you to choose and apply for a business visa or an investor visa to Australia.
What is an Australian business visa?
You need a business visa to enter Australia if you are hoping to do business there. This is also the best way for business owners, investors, and senior executives who wish to take resident in Australia. The most popular way is taking a temporary business visa first. Then one could move to a permanent business visa while continuing their business or investment activity. But this is not the only path to a business visa or permanent residency through a business visa.
The common Australian Business visa categories (sub-classes)
Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (Subclass 188)
The streams of this subclass are the first step in getting a permanent business visa to Australia. So, this is a temporary visa. However, it gives you permission to own and manage a business in Australia or conduct investments in Australia. You can also take an entrepreneurial activity with this visa too.
Business Innovation stream
This visa lets you operate a new or old business in Australia. You can stay there for up to 4 years and 3 months.
Investor stream
This is a provisional visa which requires you to invest at least AUD 1.5 million in an Australian State or Territory. You can maintain business or investment activity in Australia while staying there for up to 4 years and 3 months.
Significant Investor stream
You have to invest a minimum of AUD 5 million to get this visa. And, you can stay up to 4 years and 3 months in Australia with this.
Business Innovation Extension stream
This provisional visa is for the holders of the subclass 188 visa under the Business Innovation stream. Furthermore, it lets you extend your stay time for a maximum of 4 years. So, you should consider if COVID-19 concessions apply for your situation.
Premium Investor stream
Austrade should nominate you to get this visa. In addition, you need a minimum investment of AUD 15 million to get qualified. And, you can stay up to 4 years and 3 months in Australia with this visa too.
Entrepreneur stream
You can stay up to 4 years and 3 months in Australia with this visa. Furthermore, you can take part in entrepreneur activities with this visa too.
Subclass 888:
The streams of a subclass are the second step of getting a permanent business visa to Australia. This permanent visa gives permission for entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners to continue their work started with subclass 188.
Business Innovation stream
This visa is for holders of subclass 188 visa in the Business Innovation stream or the Business Innovation Extension stream. Holders of subclass 444 (Special Category) visa, or subclass 457 (Business (Long Stay)) visa can also use this to stay permanently.
Investor stream
This visa lets you continue your investment activities started with the parallel visa of subclass 188 in Australia permanently. So, you can take this visa as its second step.
Significant Investor stream
This visa lets you continue your investment activities started under the parallel visa of subclass 188 in Australia permanently. So, you can take this visa as its second step.
Premium Investor stream
This visa lets you continue your investment activities started under the parallel visa of subclass 188 in Australia permanently. So, you can take this visa as its second step.
Entrepreneur stream
This visa lets you continue your entrepreneur activities started under the parallel visa of subclass 188 in Australia permanently. So, you can take this visa as its second step.
Subclass 132:
Australian state or a territory government agency should nominate you to apply for this visa. You are also asked to show the required amount of funding or assets for this visa to be granted.
Significant Business History stream
Experienced business owners can operate a new or existing business in Australia with this visa.
Venture Capital Entrepreneur stream
You need to have sourced venture capital funding from a member of the AIC to get this visa. Further, the minimum funding amount need is AUD 1 million.
Subclass 893:
This is a permanent visa is for subclass 165 visa holders. But, they should have held a designated investment of AUD750,000 for 4 years to be eligible for this.
The procedure to get a business visa
First, you have to submit an EOI or an Expression of Interest to the Australian government. You can get more information about the EOI through https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skillselect. Then you will get an invitation to apply for the visa if a state or a territory nominates you. You have to gather the necessary documents and apply for the visa after that.
However, Australia is a popular stop for investors as it is a quickly developing nation at the top of the scale. The completion of these visas is high because of this. So, it is always wise to contact a professional at the very first step to be ahead of the game.
How much do I need to invest to get a business visa in Australia?
Subclass 188:
Investor stream: at least AUD 1.5million
Significant Investor stream: at least AUD 5 million
Premium Investor stream: at least AUD 15 million
Subclass 888:
You have to hold your complying investments done under visa subclass 188 for a required period of time. This required time could change according to your unique situations. You can contact us at Immigration agent Sydney or refer to https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/ for more information.
Subclass 893:
At least AUD 750, 000
Processing time of a business visa Australia
There are no standard processing times available for any stream under the above subclasses of business visas. These applications are assessed and processed individually. The processing time could change due to;
- incomplete applications without all the necessary documents.
- your response time to any requests for further information.
- the time needed to check the given supporting information.
- the number of places available in the requested migration program.
Documents needed for a business visa for Australia
Given below are the most commonly requested documents for a business visa in Australia. However more could be added to the list or omitted from it according to the unique circumstances of yours. Please refer to https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/ for more information.
- Identity documents
- Business, assets, and investment documents
- Points Test documents
- English language documents
- Health documents
- Character documents
- Partner documents
- Your partner’s identity documents and character documents
- Your current marriage certificate or documents to prove you have been in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months.
- Dependents documents
You have to translate all of the non-English documents into English. You must get a NAATI translator if you are in Australia. Your translator must write his or her full name, address, contact number, and qualifications for each translation otherwise.
Please refer to https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/ for more information.
The cost of an Australian business visa
Subclass 188:
Business Innovation stream : From AUD 5,375
Investor stream : From AUD 5,375
Significant Investor stream : From AUD 7,880
Business Innovation Extension stream : From AUD 645
Premium Investor stream : From AUD 9,455
Entrepreneur stream : From AUD 4,045A
Subclass 888:
Business Innovation stream : From AUD 2,590
Investor stream : From AUD 2,590
Significant Investor stream : From AUD 2,590
Premium Investor stream : From AUD 2,590
Entrepreneur stream : From AUD 2,590
Subclass 132:
Significant Business History stream : From AUD 7,855
Venture Capital Entrepreneur stream : From AUD 7,855
Subclass 893:
From AUD 2,450
Above are the starting prices of each visa subclass and their streams. These costs could change according to your unique circumstances. You can contact us at Immigration agent Sydney or refer to https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/ for more information.
Fastest growing industries in Australia
Australia has one of the highest developed economies in the world. The industries of Australia have always been the backbone of that development. These industries have also made Australia into a foreign investment destination. The following are the fastest growing industries in Australia.
Healthcare Industry
Australia has one of the best quality health care systems in the world. With that, the aging population has increased and so does the need for more healthcare.
Construction Industry
With more than 1.5 million employees, the Australian construction industry produces above 350 billion $ annually. It is estimated to grow at a 2.5% rate annually in the coming five years.
The Manufacturing Industry
This fast-evolving export sector brings more than $100 billion to the country annually. It is slowly concurring with the global supply chain as we speak.
Food Industry
Australia has an earned name in the delivery of natural and clean food products whether its dairy, meat, seafood, cereal, or fruits and vegetables. The demand for food products is ever-increasing and so does the industry of food.
Energy Industry
This is the next big export market in Australia that will bring hundreds of billions of dollars into the country. There are already above 300 service providers so the completion is also high.
Fastest growing cities in Australia for business opportunities
Australia ranks among the top countries with transparent and well-regulated business environments in the world. It is also one of the top countries when it comes to financing and banking regulation as well as management of financial system risks. So, Australia is also among the first choices of those who wish to do investments overseas. The following are five of the many fastest growing cities in Australia for business opportunities.
Sydney
The most popular city in Australia is also at the top of this list as it is home to half of the country’s top companies. This city was also ranked among the topmost livable cities in the world.
Adelaide
Adelaide has created a stable and supportive environment for businesses and investors through strong financial management and progressive policies.
Melbourne
This city is with a fast-growing economy. It is also with a simple and transparent government process to support those who wish to start a business there.
Brisbane
Brisbane is an affordable city of business in Australia with one of the most important ports in the country.
Newcastle
With the world’s largest coal export port, Newcastle is an ideal location for new businesses and investments.
Australian business visa to Australian citizenship pathway
Australian government defines anyone with an Australian permeant visa as a permanent resident of the country. So, getting a permanent business visa will open a citizenship pathway to Australia.
Any permanent resident can apply for citizenship after spending 4 years in the country. However, the resident shouldn’t have left Australia for a period of longer than 12 months. They shouldn’t have left for 90 days or more in the last 12 months too. The applicant will also have to fulfill the needed character requirements and score 75% or above on the citizenship test. Having a criminal record or being out of the country when the applications are being processed could have negative effects on the decision of its approval.
Read other related articles