1. Is there a cut off age requirement for the business visas?

2. What kind of business management skills do I need to show?

3. Do I have to own my own business to apply?

4. Is there a minimum turnover requirement?

5. I have senior manager’s background can I still apply?

6. How much money do I need to have?

7. Do I need to invest money into a business in Australia?

8. One of my family members has a serious illness, can I still apply?

9. I have a conviction for a drink driving offence, will I still be eligible?

10. I don’t own a busness but I have been involved in investment activities, can this count?

11. How long is the process going to take?

12. Do I need to take a medical examination as part of the application process?

13. I used to own a business but don’t anymore, could I still be eligible?

1. Is there a cut-off age requirement for the business visas?
Yes, if you are 55 and over, unfortunately you will not be eligible for the business (provisional) visas. You may want to look into the Investor Retirement Visa sub class 405 at it has a minimum age requirement of 55.

2. What kind of business management skills do I need to show?
If you are applying on the basis of being a business owner then you will need prove that you have held a management role in your business. This can include aspects such as responsibilities for business development, hiring and firing of staff, dealing with accounting and legal affairs of the business.

3. Do I have to own my own business to apply for a business visa?
Not necessarily, you can be someone who has a Senior’s manager background but has not owned a business. Also, individuals who have been Senior executives may be eligible to apply.

4. Is there a minimum turnover requirement?
In some of the visa categories there are minimum turnover requirements. One visa category which business owners consider applying for is the Sub class 163 State Sponsorsed business owner visa. One of the requirements is that the business must have made at least AU$300,000 in turnover in 2 of the last 4 financial years before the application was made.

5. What is the definition of Senior manager’s background?
Normally, this is someone who has at least 5 years in senior management with a business. They may have formal management qualifications but this is not always necessary. More than often they may manage other managers.

6. How much money do I need have?
This will depend on the business visa category. The business visa with the lowest financial threshold is the Sub class 163 State sponsored business owner visa. You will need to show a minimum of AU$250,000 to invest in a business as well as settlement funds.

7. Do I need to invest money into a business in Australia?
In most business visa categories, an applicant needs to show that they have funds which they can invest in a business activitiy in Australia. Some other business visa categories like the Investor visas require an applicant to make what is called a designated investment.

8. One of my family members has a serious illness, can I still apply?
It is very important that you get specific migration advice about any health issues you or a family member may have and what your prospects of success would be if you were to pursue an application. As part of the visa process, all visa applicants will have to undergo medical examinations. If one applicant fails to satisfy the health requirements of the visa, then all applicants are considered to have failed and the visa application will be refused based on this failure.

9. I have a conviction for a drink driving offence, will I still be eligible?
It is possible that you may still be able to satisfy the character requirements of the visa despite having a criminal conviction. There are a number of factors which influence this and it is important that when you are seeking advice about your eligibility that you fully disclose the convictions so that you can be properly adviced on your prospects of success.

10. I don’t own a busness but I have been involved in investment activities, can this count?
There is a category of investor visas which allows for individuals who have been managing an investment porfolio may be eligible.

11. How long is the process going to take?
Most business (provisional) visas from the date of lodgement can take up to 9 months to be processed by the Department of Immigration & Citizenship (Australia)

12. Do I need to take a medical examination as part of the application process?
Yes, applicants over 15 must have a medical examination, chest xray and HIV blood test. Any applicants between the ages of 11 to 15, will need to have a medical examination and chest xray. Any applicants below the age of 11 will only require a medical examination. All medicals are to be carried out by Panel Doctors, terms used for doctors who have been approved by the Department of Immigration & Citizenship (Australia) to carry out medical checks for the Australian visa process.

13. I used to own a business but don’t anymore, could I still be eligible?
It may be possible if the time that you stopped being a business owner was in the last 2-3 years. It would be worth getting more focused advice based on what your past business history was and what your current situation is.