Who can apply

The aim of the Australian Business Skills migration program is to attract people with a demonstrated record of business or investment activity who are committed to using their business and/or investment skills in Australia. Australia encourages such 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.

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 - this is a Permanent visa.

There is also provision for high-calibre business migrants to obtain up-front direct permanent residence in the Business Talent category if they have high level business attributes and are sponsored by State/Territory governments.

Guide to business skills categories:

If you have a proven background as a:	You may be eligible to apply for:	And may be eligible for permanent residency in the following category:
Business Owner	Business Owner (Provisional) Visa OR State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner (Provisional) Visa	Business Owner (Residence) Visa OR State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner (Residence) Visa
Senior Executive	Senior Executive (Provisional) Visa OR State/Territory Sponsored Senior Executive (Provisional) Visa	Business Owner (Residence) Visa OR State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner Executive (Residence) Visa
Investor	Investor (Provisional) Visa OR State/Territory Sponsored Investor (Provisional) Visa	Investor (Residence) Visa OR State/Territory Sponsored Investor (Residence) Visa State/Territory Business Owner Executive (Residence) Visa
High Calibre Business Owner identified by a government	Business Talent Visa	You have already made permanent residence and need not make an application in Australia.

There are a number of criteria that need to be fulfilled for you to be eligible to apply for a visa in the Business Skills Migration Program. These include:

• You must have an overall successful business career;
• You must have sufficient net assets to settle in Australia;
• You must have a commitment to maintain an ownership interest in a business in Australia and direct and continuous involvement in management of that business;
• You must have no history of unacceptable business activities;

For further details see the individual visa categories above.  You may also email us

You may also obtain a free assessment from this site