General
From 1 March 2003, DIMIA has introduced a new scheme whereby the majority of Business Skills applicants initially apply for a Provisional Business Skills visa, and after providing satisfactory evidence of a specified level of business activity in Australia, may apply for a Permanent Business Skills visa.

There is now only one visa class which allows direct permanent residence into Australia from overseas. This visa class, the Business Talent (Migrant) visa is designed for “high calibre business applicants”.
The majority of applicants will now initially apply for one of six “Business Skills (Provisional)” visas and after providing satisfactory evidence of the specified level of business activity in Australia, within the 4 year temporary visa period, may subsequently apply for permanency through one of either four Business Skills (Residence) visas or one of the two Established Business (Residence) visas
The pre-existing Business (Long Stay) visa, also known as an “Independent Executive” visa, is no longer available from 1 March 2003. However, this visa subclass will still be available to those existing Independent Executive visa holders in Australia who need more time in establishing a business to meet the eligibility requirements of one of the two established Business (Residence) visas.

The existing Short Stay Business visas for persons wishing to familiarise themselves with Australia and the Australian business market, have been retained. These visas including the Subclass 456 – Business (Short Stay) visa and the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visas of Subclasses 956, 976 and 977, may allow a prospective migrant to come to Australia to assess opportunities and the country generally, before applying for more lengthy temporary or permanent business migration. Note that only applicants with “ETA eligible passports” can apply for the ETA visas.

Subclass 456 – Business (Short Stay) Visa:
This subclass of visa allows applicants to travel to Australia, usually on multiple occasions where necessary, but only stay for a period of 3 months or less. It is designed to allow people to assess the Australian business marketplace and to examine opportunities and potential, prior to making application for more lengthy temporary or permanent visa types.

Included in its features are the following:
• The applicant must be outside Australia and the application must be made outside Australia.
• The applicant must show when they apply that they wish to enter Australia temporarily for business purposes; have personal attributes and background relevant to and consistent with their proposed visit to Australia; demonstrate a need to go to Australia for business purposes; confirm that they do not intend to remain in Australia for more than 3 months on any single occasion; and have adequate funds for personal support during the period of their stay on each occasion.
• Applicants must not intend to work or engage in educational training.
• Applicants must be outside of Australia when the visa is granted.
• A visa condition stipulating that no other substantive visa application may be made in Australia during any such visit, may be imposed.

You should always seek specific advice before acting. The information provided is as a guide only. Regulations may change. Where hotlinks are made to external sites we cannot guarantee the accuracy thereof.

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