Visa Information

Business Owner - Provisional (4 years visa)

Criterion Unsponsored (Subclass 160) Sponsored (Subclass 163)
Business Activity Actively operating main business. State/Territory sponsorship must be obtained to confirm interest in business proposal.
Ownership Interest Ownership interest in Qualifying Business for 2 in 4 yrs before application. (No limit on percentage) If background is as a Business Owner, an Ownership Interest in a Qualifying business for 2 in 4 fiscal yrs before application.
Management Role Direct and continuous involvement in management of main business for 2 in 4 yrs before application.

Commitment to direct and continuous involvement in business.

 If Business Owner (ditto as left), or if Senior Manager: be employed for three out of the five years immediately prior to application.

Commitment to direct and continuous involvement in management of the business.
Turnover Minimum $500,000 for 2 in 4 yrs before application. Applicants with a business owner background to have a turnover of A$300,000 for 2 yrs out of 4 yrs before application.
Net Assets in Business Net Assets in Qualifying Business of A$200,000 for 2 in 4 yrs before application. No requirement for net business assets.
Net Assets (available for transfer to Aust within 2 yrs of grant) Minimum $500,000 which is lawfully acquired.

Plus sufficient assets available to settle in Australia.

 Minimum $250,000 which is lawfully acquired.

Plus sufficient settlement assets.
English Vocational (IELTS 5) No requirement. But second VAC if deemed necessary.
Age Under 45 Under 55, unless 'Exceptional Circumstances'.
Presence in Australia Must have need to be temporary resident to conduct or establish their proposed business activity. Same
Provision of Professional services Maximum 50% of time in business had been spent on provision of professional, technical or trade services. Same
Business Background Overall Successful business career.

No record of involvement in activities not generally acceptable in Australia.

 Same
Health Full migrant medicals Same
State/Territory gov involvement Notify State/Territory of business history and intention to engage in business. State/Territory Government sponsorship.
BSC Obligations Signed Declaration confirming understanding that visa is temporary and permanent visa requires business engagement obligations to be met. Same

Senior Manager (sc163 - new definition from 1/7/06) =

  • a formal 3 years tertiary study + 3 yr relevant work experience; or
  • 5 years on the job experience + 3 yrs releant work experience; and
  • demonstrated experience in a senior management role, including making business decisions, having responsibility for the day-to-day running of the business and having responsibility for a junior manager.


Senior Executive - Provisional (4 year visa)

Criterion Unsponsored (Subclass 161) Sponsored (Subclass 164)
Business Activity Has been employed for 2 of the last 4 yrs in one of the top three management levels of a major business with a turnover of more than A$50 million. Has been employed for 2 of the last 4 yrs in one of the top three management levels of a major business with a turnover of more than A$10 million.
Ownership Interest Applicant has a realistic commitment after entry to:
  • a) either
     (i) establish a qualifying business in Australia; or
     (ii) participate in an existing qualifying business in Australia; and
  • b) maintain a substantial ownership interest; and
  • c) maintain direct and continuous management involvement
 Same
Management Role Employed for 2 of last 4 yrs in top 3 levels of management of a major business with a turnover of more that A$50 million. Employed for 2 of last 4 yrs in top 3 levels of management of a major business with a turnover of more that A$10 million.
Turnover No requirement. No requirement.
Net Assets in Business No requirement. No requirement.
Net Assets (available for transfer to Aust within 2 yrs of grant) Minimum $500,000 which is lawfully acquired.

Plus sufficient assets available to settle in Australia.

 Minimum $250,000 which is lawfully acquired.

Plus sufficient settlement assets.
English Vocational (IELTS 5) No requirement. But second VAC if deemed necessary.
Age Under 45 Under 55, unless 'Exceptional Circumstances'.
Presence in Australia Must have need to be temporary resident to conduct or establish their proposed business activity. Same
Business Background Successful business career.

No record of involvement in activities not generally acceptable in Australia.

 Same
Health Full migrant medicals Same
State/Territory gov involvement Notify State/Territory of business history and intention to engage in business. State/Territory Government sponsorship.
BSC Obligations Signed Declaration confirming understanding that visa is temporary and permanent visa requires business engagement obligations to be met. Same


Investor - Provisional (4 year visa)

Criterion Unsponsored (Subclass 162) Sponsored (Subclass 165)
Business/Investment Activity Demonstrated high level of management skill in investment of business activity. Same
Ownership Interest In one of the past 5 fiscal yrs, to have maintained direct and continuous involvement in either managing a business with at least 10% ownership interest, or, managing eligible investments of at least A$1,500,000. In one of the past 5 fiscal yrs, to have maintained direct and continuous involvement in either managing a business with at least 10% ownership interest, or, managing eligible investments of at least A$750,000.
Management Role Have a total of at least 3 yrs experience in actively managing a qualifying business(es) or investment(s). Genuine commitment to maintain business or investment in Aust after the Designated investment matures. Same
Business/Investment Attributes A$1,500,000 A$750,000
Net Assets (available for transfer to Aust within 2 yrs of grant) For the two fiscal yrs preceding application, net assets worth at least A$2,250,000. For the two fiscal yrs preceding application, net assets worth at least A$1,250,000.
English Vocational (IELTS 5) No requirement. But second VAC if deemed necessary.
Age Under 45 Under 55, unless 'Exceptional Circumstances'.
Presence in Australia No requirement. No requirement.
Business Background An overall successful record of business or investment activities. No record of involvement in activities not generally acceptable in Australia. Same
Health Full migrant medicals. Same
State/Territory gov involvement Designated investment lodged with State/Territory gov corporation. Designated investment lodged with State/Territory gov corporation.
BSC Obligations Signed declaration regarding BSC obligations. Same
State/Territory Residence Requirement No requirement. Genuine intention to reside in the S/T where they intend to lodge their designated investment for a minimum of 2 years

Please contact us for detailed information from our Australian immigration consultants.