Australian Business Visa: Types, Eligibility, and Applications (2024)

Key Takeaways

There are 4 types of Australian business visas, including:

eVisitor / Visitor visa: This type of visa grants holders to stay in Australia for up to 12 months. Holders may travel or do short-term business activities. No work and planned medical treatment with this visa.
Business Innovation and Investment visa: This visa is intended for business and investment purposes. Sponsorships from an Australian or Territory government are required.
Small Business visa: This visa is targeted for full-right works visa holders who are looking to run small businesses in Queensland, Tasmania, and Canberra.
Business Talent visa: This visa is for successful business owners who are committed to residing in Australia and transferring their assets to the country within 2 years of stay.

Being the only country that’s also a continent, Australia hosts a significant amount of the world’s natural resources. It’s one of the leading producers of iron ore, bauxite, lithium, and other earth elements, explaining why its mining industry attracts foreign investors the most.

Aside from its prominent mining industry, Australia has dynamic and fast-growing markets. Sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, and real estate also count as the country’s major economic drive.

Does this sound like what you’re looking for in an investment landscape? If so, the next step is to apply for an Australian business visa. There are multiple types of visas intended for business travellers as well as investors looking for long-term ventures in Australia.

Continue reading and find which visa to attain as we explain what an Australian business visa is, the varying types, and the application requirements.

What is an Australian Business Visa?

An Australian business visa is a document granted by the Department of Home Affairs for non-citizens looking to visit or settle in Australia for business-related purposes.

There are multiple types of this business visa. Some are intended for business travellers staying short term, while others allow for entrepreneurs to settle longer and grow their business in the Australian markets.

Types of Australian Business Visa

eVisitor Visa

An eVisitor visa for Australia is intended for multiple purposes like visiting family or friends, travelling, and undertaking short-term business activities. It’s the type of visa that grants multiple entries within 12 months, with 3 months of stay at a time.

To obtain an eVisitor visa, you must apply from outside of Australia, and it’s only attainable if you’re a citizen of a particular country.

Eligibility and Requirements

eVisitor visa is a quick and cost-effective visa that can be obtained if you’re a citizen of one of the following countries:

EU countries
Andorra
Iceland
Liechtenstein
Monaco
Norway
San Marino
Switzerland
Vatican City

Before applying, make sure that you have the following requirements met:

Applying for an eVisitor Visa

If you’re eligible for an eVisitor visa, you may apply for it online with the steps as follows:

Go to the official visa application portal
Create an ImmiAccount
Enter your personal details, passport information, and travel purpose
Attach the required documents
Submit the application

Restrictions

You’re not allowed to do the following activities with an eVisitor visa:

Working: Travelling for short-term business trips with an eVisitor visa doesn’t grant you any legal rights to work in the country.
Planned medical treatment: an eVisitor visa is meant for either travel or short business trips. For a planned medical treatment, you may apply for a Medical Treatment visa (602).

Visitor Visa

A Visitor visa has the same purposes as an eVisitor visa. Only it’s intended for citizens of countries ineligible to apply for an eVisitor visa.

However, unlike an eVisitor visa that allows for multiple entries within 12 months validity, the period, and amount of entries with a Visitor visa vary. This will depend on your visit’s purpose.

Also, a Visitor visa doesn’t guarantee entry. The decision is made by the Department of Home Affairs.

Eligibility and Requirements

If you’re not a citizen of the following countries, you must apply for a Visitor visa before entering Australia:

European Union countries
Andorra
Iceland
Liechtenstein
Monaco
Norway
San Marino
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Vatican City
Brunei
Canada
Hong Kong
Japan
Malaysia
Singapore
South Korea
United States

Now, applying for a Visitor visa involves the following requirements:

A valid passport, with a validity of at least 6 months
Health check or proof of health insurance
Evidence of sufficient funding to support the visit
Evidence that the visit is only temporary
No outstanding debts to the Commonwealth
No prior refusal or cancellation of an Australian visa
Fulfilled character requirements – no severe convictions

How To Apply for an Australian Visitor Visa?

In most cases, applying for an Australian Visitor visa should be done on paper, at the nearest Australian Embassy or Consulate. Here’s what you should do:

Set up an appointment at the Embassy or Consulate.
Complete the Visitor visa application form. Fill in personal details, travel purpose and duration, employment status, health details, and others.
Collect the required document, as listed on the application form.
Pay the visa application fee – AUD190.
Submit the application along with the required documents.
Wait to hear back from the Embassy – they’ll notify you through email or phone about the outcome.

Restrictions

Restrictions are similar to those with an eVisitor visa, which prohibit you to work or plan for medical treatments with this visa.

Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) Visa

The Business Innovation and Investment visa is intended for non-citizen business owners to explore business opportunities in Australian markets. If you’re a business owner yourself, this visa allows you to undertake business and investment activities within the country.

To obtain this visa, business owners must first get sponsored by an Australian state or Territory government. English proficiency, qualifications, and work experience are also key factors determining the approval.

This visa is further divided into several streams as follows:

Business Innovation Stream (188A)

The 188A visa is what you need to apply for if you’re looking to invest in a new or existing business in Australia.

Investor Stream (188B)

This visa is intended for investors who commit to invest at least AUD 2.5 million in Australia. You need to also prove your involvement in Australian business and investment activities.

Significant Investor Steam (188C)

This visa requires applicants to invest at least AUD 5 million in Australian investments.

Premium Investor Stream (188D)

This visa is intended for people who are willing to invest at least AUD 15 million in premium Australian investments or contribute to philanthropic missions.

Entrepreneur Stream (188E)

This visa is intended for entrepreneurs who are appointed to undertake leadership positions or to develop innovations. You must be first nominated by an Australian state or Territory government to obtain this visa.

Eligibility and Requirements

Applicants must first carry out the following steps to be able to apply for an Australian Business Innovation and Investment (provision) visa:

Submit an expression of interest (EOI)
Nominated by an Australian state or Territory government
Invited to apply for the visa

People who have been granted this 188 visa also met the following requirements:

Aged under 55 years old (excluding entrepreneurs)
Held a valid passport
Received an Australian state or Territory government sponsorship
Scored at least 65 in the points test
Had sufficient financial resources and business shares
Passed health checks
Fulfilled character requirements
Had no outstanding debts to the Commonwealth
Had no prior refusal or cancellation of an Australian visa

Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) Visa

After holding any type of Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa, you may apply for this permanent type of visa. Once obtained, you may continue contributing to Australian business and investment indefinitely.

Eligibility and requirements

To be eligible for this permanent Business Innovation and Investment visa, you must meet the following requirements:

Hold the 188A – Business Innovation Stream visa for 2 years
Or, the 188B – Investor Stream visa for 4 years
Able to prove ongoing business involvement
Pay the visa fee – AUD 3,310
Willingness to move assets to Australia within 2 years

Small Business Visa

Small business visa in Australia is intended for Australian visa holders who are looking to grow small-scale entrepreneurship in the country. It also offers a pathway for residency.

Currently, there are 3 territories offering this visa stream: Queensland, Tasmania, and Canberra. Each territory has its own requirements, so you may choose one that you’re most fit for.

Eligibility and Requirements

In the following, we’ll break down the requirements for you to be eligible for a Small Business visa in Australia.

Requirements in Queensland

Current visa: every applicant must hold a full work rights visa – a student visa isn’t allowed.
Location: must reside in Queensland for 6 months
Business type: must buy an existing business
Business value: AUD 100,000
Ownership: Full ownership
Annual turnover: no requirements
Business operation length: 6 months before applying
Number of Australian citizens or permanent resident employees: 1
Minimum owner’s salary: no requirements
Ineligible business types: Start-up, home-based, part-owned, and business that has been used to qualify for the QLD SBO stream.

Requirements in Tasmania

Current visa: any type of visa is allowed
Location: must reside in Tasmania for 6 months
Business type: must establish a new business
Business value: no requirement
Ownership: Full ownership
Annual turnover: no requirements
Business operation length: 6 months before applying
Number of Australian citizen or permanent resident employees: no requirement
Minimum owner’s salary: AUD 53,900 for the next 3 years
Ineligible business types: Franchising, Part-owned, Passive business investment, Service stations, Massage clinics, Taxi/Uber-related business

Requirements in Canberra

Current visa: any type of visa is allowed
Location: 3 months of stay in Canberra for a temporary visa and 6 months stay to be nominated for the permanent ones
Business type: Buy an existing or establish a new business
Business value: no requirement
Ownership: Min. 51%; business partner must be an Australian citizen or PR
Annual turnover: AUD 200,000
Business operation length: 6 months before applying
Number of Australian citizens or permanent resident employees: 1
Minimum owner’s salary: AUD 13,000/3 months for a temporary visa, AUD 26,000 for a permanent visa
Ineligible business types: Sub-tenancy, Ride-share, taxi, Courier Services, A business that has been used to qualify for ACT SBO stream

Business Talent Visa

This visa grants permanent residency to successful business owners and startup founders. To obtain it, the eligibility is similar to what’s listed in the Business Innovation and Investment visa, as it also requires an Australian state or Territory government sponsorship before applying.

Note that when you plan to apply for this visa, you must be committed to reside in Australia and get involved in business and investment activities. You’re also obliged to transfer your assets to Australia within 2 years of your stay.

Business Talent Visa Requirements

Getting this visa involves the following requirements:

Aged under 55 years old (excluding entrepreneurs)
Held a valid passport
Received an Australian state or Territory government sponsorship
Scored at least 65 in the points test
Had sufficient financial resources and business shares
Passed health checks
Fulfilled character requirements
Had no outstanding debts to the Commonwealth
Had no prior refusal or cancellation of an Australian visa

Final Thoughts

There are multiple types of Australian Business visas granted for non-citizens who are looking to either visit for short-term business trips or commencing ventures in the country.

You have the option to apply for an eVisitor/Visitor visa, Business Innovation and Investment visa, Small Business visa, and Business Talent visa. Make sure that you apply for the correct one according to your plan.

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FAQ

Is it difficult to get an Australian business visa?

It can be difficult to get an Australian business visa. But, as long as you meet the eligibility and follow the requirements thoroughly, getting an Australian visa is attainable.

How long can you stay in Australia on a business visa?

That depends on what type of visa you hold. For instance, if you’re visiting for business trips with an eVisitor visa, you may stay for a maximum of 3 months within a 12-month validity period.

Can I get a PR in Australia with business?

Yes, in fact, an Australian business visa is a pathway to get a PR. This applies to Business Innovation and Investment visas, Small Business visas, and Business Talent visas.