AUSTRALIA

ENTREPRENEUR VISA PROGRAM

Over the years, Australia emerged as a main destination for individuals who seek to immigrate and start their life in a diverse country.
Australia offers an investment immigration program called the Australia Entrepreneur Program, which enables foreign investors to start their business in Australia.

About Australia Immigration Program – Business Innovation and Investment Visa Australia’s Entrepreneur Visa Program, or Australia Investor Visa, is an immigration investment program that has been launched in order to encourage foreign investors interested in living and working in Australia to start their business there. The program is designed for foreign investors who intend to engage in innovative business of particular economic interest in Australia. The program is point-based; the applicant must score at least 65 points in order to qualify for the program, in addition to prove business ownership in order to start a business in Australia. The program is one of the good investment opportunities in Australia, which enables entrepreneurs to obtain Australian citizenship and Australian permanent residency by starting their own business. There are two types of migration for non-Australian citizens: temporary and permanent. Temporary resident visas allow non-Australian citizens to remain in Australia for a specified duration for purposes that may include tourism, visiting family, study, work, medical treatment etc. Many temporary visas provide a pathway to permanent residence eligibility.

BENEFITS

Australian citizenship carries numerous benefits.

The investor can immediately receive the country’s passport which guarantees its holder to travel – visa-free – to more than 160 countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Spain, Italy, Greece, France, and Germany

Free education for children

Free medical treatment coverages

Australian citizenship also guarantees the right to vote in elections at all levels of government and gives the right to seek parliamentary positions

Baby care bonus for permanent residents and citizens (parents are paid about $5,500 AUD)

First home grant for permanent residents and citizens (payment up to $26,000 AUD for your new home)

Family tax benefits for permanent residents and citizens

Full working rights, with help to find a job

Ability to include spouses, dependent children below the age of 23

As soon as the investor’s application is approved, the Australian passport will be acquired

INVESTMENT SPECIFICATIONS

There are a number of specifications and requirements the proposed business and investor should meet, which are explained below:


The business must have a turnover of $300,000 AUD in the year immediately before applying for permanent residency.
The business must hire at least 2 full time employees who are either Australian citizens, Australian permanent residency holders or New Zealand passport holders.
The owner must purchase business assets of at least $200,000 AUD in the year immediately before applying for permanent residency.
The owner must have personal and business net worth of at least AUD $600,000 in the year immediately before applying for PR.
The owner must maintain company ownership of at least: * 51% for companies with turnover of less than $400,000 AUD * 30% for companies with turnover of more than $400,000 AUD * 10% of a publicly listed company

The Business Innovation and Investment Program includes six of the following visa streams:

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Business Innovation Stream — individuals must pass a points test, have a successful business career with a business turnover of at least AUD 500,000 and net assets of AUD 800,000. They must obtain and maintain substantial ownership and management of an Australian business
Investor Stream — individuals must pass a points test, have three years’ investment experience, commit AUD 1.5 million into an Australian state or territory bond for four years and have net assets of AUD 2.25 million
Significant Investor Stream — individuals must commit at least AUD 5 million into a complying Australian investment for at least four years
Entrepreneur Stream — individuals must have signed a formal agreement to receive AUD 200,000 in venture capital funding from an Australian company, for the commercialization and/or development of a high-value business idea or product

The above temporary visas offer a direct pathway to permanent residence after four years, subject to meeting certain residence and investment/business turnover requirements.

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Business Talent (Significant Business History Stream) — this visa is for successful business people who own or part-own a business with a turnover of at least AUD 3 million per year. Individuals must pass a points test, have a successful business career, and have net assets of AUD 1.5 million. They must make a substantial contribution to a new or established business in Australia and take an active role in managing the business
Business Talent (Venture Capital Entrepreneur Stream) — individuals must have sourced AUD 1 million in venture capital funding to fund the start-up or product commercialization of a high-value business idea in Australia and must establish (or participate in) that business.

Business Talent (Significant Business History Stream) — this visa is for successful business people who own or part-own a business with a turnover of at least AUD 3 million per year. Individuals must pass a points test, have a successful business career, and have net assets of AUD 1.5 million. They must make a substantial contribution to a new or established business in Australia and take an active role in managing the business

Business Talent (Venture Capital Entrepreneur Stream) — individuals must have sourced AUD 1 million in venture capital funding to fund the start-up or product commercialization of a high-value business idea in Australia and must establish (or participate in) that business.

The above two streams offer direct permanent residence and applicants must quickly become involved in the relevant business.

COST

Costs of applying for Australian citizenship

ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIREMENTS

There are a number of requirements that should be met in order to qualify for Australian Entrepreneur Visa Program, and meet a number of requirements in order to receive Australian citizenship and Australian permanent residency, as follows:

Before Applying

The Applicant must fulfill the following:

Be less than 55 years old

Have an already-existing successful business as a business owner and manager

Have at least 800,000 AUD, together with the spouse

Pass the scoring system of minimum 65 points

After Applying

The Applicant must fulfill the following:

Establish and manage a business in Australia

Have adequate net business and personal assets in Australia

Government fees
Main applicant	$4,985 AUD
Spouse	$2,495 AUD
Dependents below 18 years	$1,245 AUD