You must first apply for a Senior Executive (Provisional) visa. If you are successful, you will be granted a visa for a period of 4 years.

You can be inside or outside Australia at the time of visa application.

Providing you have successfully operated a business in Australia for at least two years and you continue to hold a valid Senior Executive (Provisional) visa, you will be eligible to apply for a permanent Business Owner (Residence) visa (permanent residence). You must apply in Australia.

If an applicant has sponsorship from a State or Territory government and applies under the State/Territory Sponsored Senior Executive (Provisional) or Business Owner (Residence) visa, they are considered against lower threshold criteria.

To make an application for the Senior Executive (Provisional) visa, senior executives will need to show that they:

If NOT sponsored

• have an overall successful business career;
• be employed in one of the top 3 levels of management of a major business;
• have significant business and personal assets;
• have sufficient net assets to settle in Australia;
• have a commitment to maintain an ownership interest in a business in Australia and direct and continuous involvement in management of that business;
• have no history of unacceptable business activities;
• be less than 45 years old; and
• have vocational English.

If sponsored

• be sponsored by a state or territory government;
• have an overall successful business career;
• be employed in one of the top 3 levels of management of a major business;
• have significant business and personal assets;
• have sufficient net assets to settle in Australia;
• have a commitment to maintain an ownership interest in a business in Australia and direct and continuous involvement in management of that business; and
• be less than 55 years old unless exceptional circumstances exist.

You may also obtain a free assessment from this site