Business Visas

Download a PDF version of this document: Business Visas

Australia offers a range of visas for international business visitors.

Short Business Visits (up to 3 months)

Business visas allow travel freely in and out of Australia for up to three months. Accompanying family members can also be included on the Business Visitor Visa application form. Visas can be purchased prior to the determination of travel dates.

Business Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)

An ETA is an electronically stored authority which allows visitors to travel and enter Australia as many times as required within the validity period (12 months from the date of issue). The maximum length of each visit is 3 months. An ETA:

• Provides faster immigration processing on arrival in Australia
• Can be processed by the agent or airline arranging the travel via the computer reservation system
  

Click here for ETA Eligibility

Australia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel

An APEC business travel card allows business people short term, multiple entries into participating countries, reducing the need to apply for multiple visas.

Cardholders are entitled to streamlined immigration processing through special APEC lanes in airports. APEC cards and information can be obtained from the APEC mobility website

Business Skills Visa (up to 2 years)

Business Skills visas are for business people to establish a business in Australia, manage a new or existing business or invest in Australia.

Business Skills Visa (Permanent)

Business Skills visas are for people who have established the required level of business in Australia while holding a provisional visa. A direct permanent residence visa is also available for high-calibre business people.

All except the Investor Retirement visa offer a pathway to permanent residence.

Further Information

Melbourne City Skyline, Photo Courtesy of Tourism Victoria

Application forms can be downloaded from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) or obtained from any Australian Embassy or Consulate.

See the DIAC Business Visas Website

Australian Government Petroleum Exploration and Development Guide for Investors

The Living in Australia booklet is available in 38 languages from the DIAC website

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Primary Industries 2009.

© The State of Victoria Department of Primary Industries, 2009. This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968.

Authorised by the Department of Primary Industries Minerals and Petroleum Division, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne 3000

ISBN 978-1-74217-617-8 (PDF)

For more information about DPI visit the website at www.dpi.vic.gov.au or call the Customer Call Centre on 136 186

Disclaimer

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

If you would like to receive this publication in an accessible format (such as large print or audio) please call the Customer Service Centre on: 136 186, TTY: 1800 122 969, or email: customer.service@dpi.vic.gov.au