Summary of migration requirements

The Business Skills visa class of Australia's migration program encourages successful business people to settle permanently in Australia and develop new or existing businesses.

Business owners, senior executives and investors can apply for a visa under the Business Skills category at one of the three Business Skills Processing Centres
See: Lodging an application.

Under the two-stage arrangements introduced on 1 March 2003, business migrants are granted a Business Skills (Provisional) visa for four years and, after establishing the requisite level of business or maintaining their eligible investment, are eligible to make an application for a Business Skills (Residence) visa.

A direct permanent residence category will still be available for high-calibre business migrants sponsored by State/Territory governments. This is known as the Business Talent visa (see below).

The Business Skills program is divided into four categories:

• Business Owner category: for owners or part-owners of a business;
• Senior Executive category: for senior executive employees of major businesses;
• Investor category: for investors/business people willing to invest in Australia;
• Business Talent category: for high-calibre business people who have sponsorship from a State/Territory government.

In addition, the Business Skills program also has two categories for persons who are in Australia on temporary visas, other than the Business Skills (Provisional) visas:

• Established Business in Australia category - for people temporarily in Australia who are owners or part owners of a business; and
• Regional Established Business in Australia category - for people temporarily in Australia who are owners or part owners of a business in a designated area of Australia.

If you are the holder of a Temporary Business Long Stay (Independent Executive) subclass 457 visa and wish to apply for a further a Temporary Business Long Stay (Independent Executive) subclass 457 visa in Australia -
See: Independent Executive.

Please note:

On 1 March 2003, there were major changes to the Business Skills category.

On this date, a number of Business Skills visa subclasses ceased.

An application in any of these subclasses lodged before 1 March 2003 but not decided before that date will continue to be processed and assessed in accordance with the criteria that were in force at the time of application.
See: Legislation Change - 1 March 2003

Detailed migration requirements

Booklet 7, Business Skills Entry, has detailed information about migrating to Australia as a business person, and some general information about living in Australia.

If you plan to make an application, it is essential reading.

You can get a free copy from this website.
See: Booklet 7, Business Skills Entry.

Subject to availability, a printed copy can be obtained from a migration office in Australia or overseas, at a cost of AUD$20.
See: Office and Contact Details Index

For detailed information on permanent residence options for holders of Temporary Business Long Stay (Independent Executive) visas -
See: Form 1215i, Independent executives and permanent residence (PDF* file, 85kb).

* PDF file which requires the Adobe Reader on your computer.
See: Using PDF Files.