There are 6 business visa categories in total, 6 of which are provisional business to begin with.  The first stage is applying for the 4 year provisional business visa.  This provisional visa allows a business migrant to then move to Australia to operate their business setting themselves to apply at a later stage for a permanent business visa which entitles them to Australian permanent residency.  The permanent business visa categories have their own requirements which need to be satisfied when an application is eventually lodged.

Subclass 163 State Sponsored Business Owner (Provisional)

The subclass 163 visa is the most popular choice of visa for business migrants around the world and it accounts for about 90% of business visa applications made to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. The lower financial threshold requirements make it a popular category for small to medium size business owners.

Subclass 163 Visa requirements:-

• You are less than 55 years of age, or you are proposing to participate in a business activity which will be of exceptional economic benefit
• You owned a business which had turnover of at least A$300,000 for 2 out of
  the last 4 financial years and in those 2 years you managed the business on a day to day basis
• You have a successful business background.
• Your net asset level is at least A$250,000 plus an additional amount for your
  settlement costs in Australia
• You have not been engaged in a business where the provision of professional, technical or trade services took up more than 50 per cent of your time
• You have a genuine commitment to start or invest in an Australian business which you would own and manage on a daily basis and that would benefit the Australia economically
• You have obtained State sponsorship approval from the relevant authority of the state in which you will settle

…or as a Senior Manager

If you are not a business owner but have been in senior management in a business for at least 5 years, the subclass 163 visa is still an option for you:-

• You are less than 55 years or age, or you are proposing to participate in a business activity which will be of exceptional economic benefit
• You have a successful record as a senior manager
• You have a successful senior manager’s background of at least 5 years
• Your net asset level is at least A$250,000 plus an additional amount for your settlement costs in Australia
• You have a genuine commitment to engage in business activities in Australia and has demonstrate that Australia will benefit economically from the proposed business or investment
• State sponsorship approval

Subclass 164 State Sponsored Senior Executive (Provisional)

This visa is intended for applicants who have a successful background as Senior Executives in a company.

Subclass 164 Visa requirements:-

• You are less than 55 years or age, or you are proposing to participate in a business activity which will be of exceptional economic benefit to the State
• For 2 out of the last 4 financial years, you occupied a position in the top 3 levels of management in a business with annual turnover of at least A$10,000,000
• Your net asset level is at least A$250,000 plus an additional amount for your settlement costs in Australia
• State sponsorship approval

Subclass 165 State Sponsored Investor (Provisional)

Subclass 165 Visa requirements:-

• You are less than 55 years or age, or you are proposing to participate in a business or investment activity which will be of benefit to the State/Australia
• You have at least 3 years experience of direct involvement in managing businesses or investments
• For one of the last 5 financial years, you directly managed a business in which you held an ownership interest of at least 10% OR you directly managed investments worth at least A$750,000
• For each of the last 2 financial years, your total business and personal assets had a net value of at least A$1,125,000
• You are able to make a Designated Investment of A$750,000 with a Treasury Corporation for a 4 year term
• State sponsorship approval

Subclass 161 Senior Executive Visa (Provisional)

Subclass 161 Visa requirements:-

• You are under the age of 45
• For 2 out of the last 4 financial years, you occupied a position in the top 3 levels of management in a business with annual turnover of at least A$50,000,000
• Your net asset level is at least A$500,000 plus an additional amount for your settlement costs in Australia
• You have a genuine commitment to engage in business activities in Australia and has demonstrate that Australia will benefit economically from the proposed business or investment

Subclass 162 Investor Visa (Provisional)

Subclass 162 Visa requirements:-

• You are under the age of 45
• You have have an overall successfull business/investment background
• For the last 3 yeras the value of your investment portfolio or business assets must have been at least A$1,500,000
• For 1 of the last 5 financial years, you directly managed a business in which you held an ownership interest OR you directly managed investments worth at least A$1,500,000
• For each of the last 2 financial years, your total business and personal assets had a net value of at least A$2,250,000
• You are able to make a Designated Investment of A$1,500,000 with a Treasury Corporation for a 4 year term