Business / Self-employed / Investor Long-stay Visa
Category: Business · Processing time: 3–9 months (business approval + visa)
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Apply through official authority
Department of Home Affairs
Always submit applications through the official source. Last verified 2026-06-18.
Visa type
Business
Processing time
3–9 months (business approval + visa)
Fees
GovernmentFee: Confirm on official portal
Validity
Confirm on official source
Stay duration
Confirm on official source
Entry type
Confirm single/multiple entry rules
Insurance
Confirm if required
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Overview
Long-stay permit for entrepreneurs starting a business, self-employed professionals, and investors meeting capital or job-creation thresholds. Path to PR: Yes. Path to citizenship: No. Income
- Leads to permanent residency: Yes
- Requires job offer: No
- Language required: No
- Minimum education: Not specified
- Financial requirement: Applicants must demonstrate minimum investment capital or asset thresholds, clear source-of-funds tracking, and capacity to register a local business.
- Accommodation proof: No
- Return ticket: No
Estimated Costs
- - GovernmentFee: Confirm on official portal
- - CapitalThreshold: Many countries require minimum investment or assets
- - BusinessRegistration: Local company registration and tax fees
Required Documents
- - Detailed business plan matching regulatory standards
- - Proof of capital and investment funds availability
- - Source-of-funds tracking documentation
- - Endorsement or approval letter from an authorized body (where required)
- - Valid passport and biometric records
- - Police clearance and medical clearances (where required)
- - Tax records and financial statements for established businesses
Application Steps
- Confirm which specific business or investor visa pathway matches your capital profile.
- Secure regional endorsement or state program approval where required by the stream.
- Prepare a comprehensive business plan alongside certified source-of-funds and asset evidence.
- Submit the official application via the Department of Home Affairs portal and pay required government fees.
- Complete biometrics collection and provide requested health or character checks.
- Attend an interview if requested by the department during file vetting.
- Upon visa approval, register your enterprise locally and fulfill ongoing reporting and investment conditions.
Always confirm the latest steps and forms on the official portal: Department of Home Affairs →
Travel Insurance Requirement
- Mandatory: Confirm with official source
- Minimum coverage: Confirm current coverage rules
- Valid regions: Confirm accepted regions
- Approved providers: [, "Use providers accepted by the official authority", ]
Embassy, Consulate & Appointments
- - Embassy, consulate, regional jurisdiction, and appointment scheduling rules vary dynamically depending on your physical location.
- - Always double-check localized processing tracks directly on the official portal before transferring visa fees.
Browse foreign embassies in Australia (MigrantIQ directory) →
Directory listings are for planning only — not legal advice. Confirm jurisdiction and appointment rules on the official portal.
Application checklist
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Benefits & What This Visa Allows
- - Lawful permission to reside in Australia while directly operating and managing your business enterprise
- - Allows eligible family members and dependent relatives to accompany you with corresponding visa privileges
- - Establishes a reliable, milestone-based structural pathway to secure permanent residency on meeting milestones
Trust & safety
Before you pay or submit documents
Use the official portal for applications and payments. Be careful with agents who guarantee approval, ask for personal-account transfers, or pressure you to send originals before a written contract.
Relevant laws
- Immigration Status and Overstay Rules
Immigration · Severity: Critical
Your right to stay in Australia depends on the exact visa, residence permit, entry stamp, or visa-free allowance you hold. Do not assume a pending application, job offer, or school admission
- Work Authorisation Rules
Employment · Severity: Critical
In Australia, a visa that allows entry does not always allow work. Paid employment, freelancing, remote work, internships, and trial shifts may each have different permission rules.
- Tax Residency and Income Reporting
Tax · Severity: High
Living in Australia for long enough, working locally, or registering as a resident may trigger tax-residency or income-reporting duties even if your income is paid from abroad.
Active scam alerts
Some agents overcharge newcomers for translations, notarisation, apostilles, or courier services for Australia, and may produce documents that are not accepted by official authorities.
Scammers impersonate airport staff, immigration officers, or travel agents and claim you must pay a special fee to enter Australia, avoid questioning, release documents, or fast-track border
Fraudsters offer admission, scholarships, or student visa packages for Australia through unofficial agents. Victims may receive fake acceptance letters that fail verification during visa proc
Scammers advertise fake apartments in Australia, pressure newcomers to transfer a deposit before viewing, and disappear after sending a fake lease or copied property photos.
Quick Eligibility Check
Use this self-check for Business / Investor Visa. It does not replace official legal assessment.
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consultation
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Common Rejection Reasons
- - Incomplete, unverified, or structurally inconsistent documents submitted across business files
- - Insufficient financial evidence or an inability to clearly verify the legal source of your investment funds
- - An unconvincing or weak business plan that fails to demonstrate economic utility or local market viability
- - Missing professional translations, unsigned applications, unconfirmed appointments, or outdated corporate forms
Application Tips
- - Always reference the official Department of Home Affairs guidelines before funding third-party agents.
- - Ensure your bank ledgers, business plans, asset valuations, and source declarations are completely aligned.
- - Secure structural appointments early to stay ahead of processing peaks, and retain full copies of your uploaded file.
- - Do not utilize unverified consultants who promise guaranteed approvals or request payments to personal bank accounts.
Sources & References
Use these references for verification. Official government and appointment portals override summary guidance on MigrantIQ.
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Frequently Asked Questions
India to Australia offers various Business/Investor Visas, such as the Business Innovation and Investment Visa (subclass 188). Eligibility depends on factors like business turnover and invest
Bangladeshi citizens can apply for Australia's Business / Investor Visa, which requires a business plan and investment funds. Eligibility criteria include age, English proficiency, and busine
Nepalese citizens can apply for an Australia Business / Investor Visa if they meet specific criteria, including investment requirements and business experience. Rules may change, so it's esse
You will usually need: Valid passport, Business plan, Proof of funds, Relevant business experience and Health and character requirements. Visa rules can change. Check official sources or cons
You will usually need: Valid passport, Business plan, Financial capacity, Health and character checks and Meet age and English proficiency criteria. Visa rules can change. Check official sour