Business Innovation Visa stream

The Business Innovation Visa is valid for 4 years and 3 months allowing you and your family members to live, study and work in Australia. Application thereafter can then be made for Australian permanent residency.

Applicants for the Business Innovation Visa will be required to start a business in Australia. Applicants are required to hold overseas business assets of AUD 1 250 000 (e.g. in South Africa) and have an annual turnover of AUD 750 000 to prove their business acumen.

Visa applicants must be under 55 years of age.

Also required is a minimum of 65 points from a dedicated points table.  Points are awarded for age, English language ability, educational qualifications, financial assets, business turnover, business experience and innovation.

The Business Innovation Visa require nomination from a State or Territory where the applicant intends to establish the Australian business.  States and Territories are yet to open their programs or announce their criteria for nomination.

Investor Visa stream

The Investor Visa is also valid for 4 years and 3 months allowing you and your family members to live, study and work in Australia and application can thereafter be made for permanent residency.

The Investor Visa is for business owners or persons holding eligible investments, with at least 3 years of experience and a successful business and investment record.  Applicants under this application must invest AUD 2 500 000  in ‘complying significant investments’ in the following proportions:

  • at least AUD 500 000 in venture capital and private equity funds which invest in start-ups and small private companies.
  • at least AUD 750 000 in approved managed funds. The managed funds must invest in emerging companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.
  • a ‘balancing investment’ of at least AUD 1 250 000 in managed funds.

This stream also has an age requirement (under 55), a minimum of 65 points, and nomination from a State or Territory.

Significant Investor Visa stream

The Significant Investor Visa is also valid for 4 years and 3 months allowing you and your family members to live, study and work in Australia. An application can thereafter be made for permanent residency.

For applicants, the total investment amount under the Significant Investor Visa (SIV) is AUD 5 000 000.  However, the mix of investments under the ‘Complying Significant Investments’ framework must be invested in the following proportions:

  • AUD 1 000 000 in venture capital and private equity funds which invest in start-ups and small private companies.
  • AUD 1 500 000 in approved managed funds investing in emerging companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.
  • A ‘balancing investment’ of AUD 2 500 000 in managed funds

The Significant Investor Visa remains free of any age or English language, business and investor background requirements. State or Territory nomination however remains a requirement.

Entrepreneur Visa stream

The Entrepreneur Visa allows you to stay up to years in Australia. Once you have this visa, you can apply for permanent residence if certain requirements are met.

The Entrepreneur Visa stream is available for persons under 55 years of age and the visa applicant must have a genuine intention to undertake a ‘complying entrepreneur activity’ in Australia.

States and Territories are yet to announce their exact requirements to provide an endorsement. States/Territories may give priority to innovative ideas and activity in certain sectors.