Start or run a business in Australia

Australia’s Business Class
For entrepreneurs and investors

Would you like to start or run a business in Australia? Then you might be able to qualify for a visa in the Business Class. Officially this category is designed for entrepreneurs and investors but it offers also options for retired people.

Entrepreneurs and investors will be assessed, based on achieved performances and turnovers in the country of origin. For this reason, it is important that you are (partly) owner of an organisation or that you have proven experience in managing an organisation. These requirements depend on the visa you qualify for.

You will undergo a two-phase visa procedure when applying for a permanent residence visa. Firstly, a temporary visa will be applied for. This visa is valid for four years. When the Australian location has been set up, the temporary visa can be converted into a permanent residence visa.

Below you find an overview of the subcategories of Australia’s Business Class.

Sub categories Business Class

Business Innovation and Investment stream

Visa within this category offers you a temporary residence in the first place. The visa will be valid for four years and three months. Afterwards, a permanent could be applied for. The Business Innovation and Investment stream is dived in five subcategories.

Business Innovation stream

This stream applies to people with proven entrepreneurial skills, who are willing to start up a new business in Australia or who would like to manage and develop an existing organisation. You could qualify for a visa by State Nomination. Thereby you must fulfil the requirements below:

  • You are younger than 55 years of age
  • Based on your profile, you are able to score at least 65 points in the points test
  • Besides, you can prove that you have achieved a turnover of at least AUD 500,000.- in at least two of the last four years
  • You are an owner of the organisation with at least 30% interest
  • Your personal financial assets amount to at least AUD 800,000.-

Entrepreneur stream

For candidates with finance agreements from a third party, the entrepreneur stream has been designed. This is to say there is an agreement of at least AUD 200,000.- to undertake entrepreneurial activities. This may include managing commercialisation of a product or service in Australia, as well as the development of an organisation. Furthermore, a good knowledge of the English language and a State Nomination apply.

Investor stream

If you can invest a minimum amount of AUD 1,5 million in an Australian fund, this subcategory might apply. In this category, you also need to be nominated by an Australian state or territory.

Significant investor stream

As its title suggests, the significant investor stream is for people who are able to make a large investment. This concerns an amount of at least AUD 5 million. As well as by the subcategories mentioned above, a state nomination is mandatory.

Premium investor stream

Besides the ‘Investor’ and the ‘Significant Investor’, the Australian Department of Home Affairs recognizes the ‘Premium Investor Stream’. Herefore a minimum amount of AUD 15 million is needed to invest.

 

Would like more information on your visa options within the business class? Please contact our visa specialists, or fill out the free visa check for an assessment of your eligibility.

 

 

Business Talent visa

Especially for talented entrepreneurs, the Business talent visa is introduced. It is the only visa subclass within the Business Class that leads to a permanent residence status immediately. Accordingly, strict requirements must be satisfied:

  • Firstly, you must be under 55 years of age
  • Your financial assets (within the company) were at least AUD 400,000.- in two of the four years
  • Furthermore, the turnover of your company amounts at least AUD 3,000,000.- in two of the four years
  • You are an owner of the organisation with at least 30% interest
  • Your personal assets amounts at least AUD 1,500,000.- and is available for investment in Australia within two years

Besides the requirements mentioned above, each applicant must undergo a medical examination. Furthermore, it is important that no criminal offences have been committed. At last, you must satisfy a minimum score in Australia’s points test.

Retirement visa

This visa allows retired candidates to come to Australia. You must be at least 55 years of age.

Since a major investment must be made, this visa belongs to the ‘Business and Investor Category’.  It concerns a temporary visa which cannot be converted to a permanent residence status ever. After your first four years in Australia, you can extend your stay with another four years (every four years). To acquire this extension, a new investment must be made.

  • You are at least 55 years of age
  • You do not have any financial dependents (children)
  • You must be nominated by an Australian State or Territory (Australian Capital Territory excluded)
  • Your personal assets must be:
    • AUD 1,000,000.- when you would like to settle in Regional Australia. Of this total amount, at least AUD 500,000.- must be invested in an Australian fund
    • AUD 1,500,000.- if you would like to settle in metropolitan areas. In this case, an investment of AUD 750,000.- must be made.
  • You (and your partner) have an annual income of:
    • AUD 50,000.- if you would like to settle in regional Australia
    • AUD 65,000.- if you would like to settle in metropolitan areas
  • You (and your partner) are both insured for all medical expenses during your stay in Australia
  • At last: You have been medically examined positively and you received a police check

This visa allows you to work in Australia 40 hours per fortnight.