Business & Talent Visas

The Global Talent visa is a high-priority, permanent residency pathway for individuals who are internationally recognised as being at the top of their field. It is designed to bring unique skills to Australia that can help grow the economy and create jobs.

• Target sectors: Includes advanced manufacturing, DigiTech, energy (renewables), health industries, and agri-food.
• The nominator rule: You must be nominated by a nationally recognised Australian individual or organisation in your same field.
• High income threshold: Applicants must generally demonstrate the ability to earn at least $175,000 AUD (this figure is indexed annually).
• Key advantage: One of the fastest processing times in the entire migration program, often resulting in PR within weeks.

The 188 visa is a provisional visa for people who have a successful business or investment history and want to move to Australia to manage a new or existing business.

The three key streams

• Business Innovation stream: For entrepreneurs with a history of running a successful business. You must be nominated by a state or territory government.
• Investor stream: For people who want to maintain at least $2.5 million AUD in designated Australian investments.
• Significant Investor stream (SIV): For people who invest at least $5 million AUD into complying Australian investments. This stream offers the most flexible residency requirements (you don't have to live in Australia for long periods).
• PR pathway: After meeting the investment or business activity requirements over a set period, you transition to the Subclass 888 permanent visa.

Australian permanent residency technically expires every five years in terms of travel rights. If you want to travel overseas and return to Australia as a resident, you must hold a valid Resident Return Visa.

• Subclass 155: The standard five-year RRV. To qualify easily, you must have lived in Australia for at least two years out of the last five.
• Subclass 157: A short-term (three-month) RRV for those who have not lived in Australia for two years but have compelling and compassionate reasons for their absence or have substantial ties to Australia (family, business, or employment).
• Why it matters: If you leave Australia without a valid RRV, you may lose your right to return as a permanent resident and be forced to apply for a different visa.