Business Skills Visas (subclass 188 and 888)

As the world’s twelfth-largest economy Australia has pursued trade liberalisation through free trade agreements and a robust Business skills visa and Business Innovation Investment Program. Business visitor visas allow holders to enter Australia to engage in business activities such as making a general business inquiry or negotiating a contract.

The Business Innovation and Investment Program allows high net worth individuals, business owners or investors to establish a business or invest in a business in Australia so as to contribute to the growth of Australia’s economy. As Australia’s immigration laws are complex and change frequently, getting the right advice is critical to ensuring you have the right visa at the right time to meet your business and investment needs.

How BDO can help

BDO Migration Services is an incorporated Immigration legal practice which specialises in all aspects of business visitor and Business Innovation Investment Program Visas. As market leaders, we provide expert advice tailored to your situation, your needs and your desired outcomes.

Business visitor visas

Business visitor visas allow business persons to visit Australia for business purposes including attending a conference or training session, to conduct business or business negotiations, or for an exploratory business visit. Eligible passport holders may apply online or through an approved electronic travel authority (ETA) travel agent for a business visitor ETA (subclass 601) visa.

The eVisitor (subclass 651) visa is applied for online and is for tour­ists or business people from certain European countries who wish to visit Australia for up to three months at a time over a 12-month period. Otherwise, for eligible passport holders, a paper-based or online application can be made for:

• A visitor (business visitor stream) (subclass 600) visa or
• A temporary work (short-stay specialist) (subclass 400) visa.

As part of the Australian government’s focus to selecting high quality business migrants who contribute to Australia’s increasingly global economy, the Business Innovation and Investment Program aims to attract successful investors, entrepreneurs and persons with diverse business expertise to Australia. All business migrants must submit an Expression of Interest with the Department of Immigration and Border Protection and then once invited to do so, can lodge a visa application.

Download our information on the Business Innovation and Investment Program.