The challenges of poverty, unemployment and rising crime levels have prompted many citizens to seek out greener pastures abroad, in the hope of providing their children with a brighter future.
Immigration experts noted this growing trend towards emigration as a solution at a recent Emigration Expo, where an increasing number of people indicated their intention to move abroad. Many of these potential emigrants are considering Australia as a viable option and exploring the possibilities to relocate and eventually formally emigrate to the country.
Emigrating to Australia
Australia provides potential immigrants with many employment and business opportunities, as it is a young, multi-cultural and open country, with a steadily growing economy.
Australia’s quality of life and unrivalled natural beauty makes it the ideal destination for South Africans who are dreaming about providing their families with a safer lifestyle and a prosperous future.
Australia’s sporting culture has endured for generations, cultivating a population that is deeply invested in cricket, rugby, Australian rules football, soccer, tennis and more, providing the base from where the fun rivalry between our two countries stems.
According to Xpatweb’s research and interaction with clients, Australia is considered one of the best countries to live in due to its friendly people and well-paying jobs that promise immigrants a comfortable, modern lifestyle.
A stable economic, political and social environment has made Australia one of the most attractive locations for SMEs or start-ups looking to move or expand their business horizons.
Australian Business Visas
The Australian immigration system makes provision for skilled business people, who meet the criteria of its Business Innovation stream regulations, to live and work in the country.
These regulations allow for the granting of a provisional visa for people with business skills. This visa permits you to operate a new or existing business in Australia.
The Business Innovation (subclass 188a) immigration route is available to anyone under the age of 55 looking to start or buy into a business in Australia. It is valid for four years and three months, and allows you and your family members to live, study and work in Australia, and eventually be eligible for permanent residence.
The main benefits for this program are the following:
- A maximum stay of 4 years and 3 months renewable
- Family members can also join while the main applicant is in the country
- Possible application for a permanent residence permit where applicable.
Here are the main requirements to apply for the Business Innovation stream:
- You must be under the age of 55
- You must score at least 65 points on the immigration points test
- You must have had ownership of an established business or businesses that has/have at least AU $500,000 turnover for two out of the past four fiscal years.
- You, your business partner, or both combined, must have total net business and personal assets of AU $800,000 that can be used to establish a business in Australia.
The Business Innovation (subclass 888) is for permanent residence. You can apply for the 888 after living in Australia for two years and if you and your business meets certain benchmarks such us:
- Applicant (and partner) have held at least AU $200,000 net main business assets for the last 12 months.
- The applicant’s main business has had at least two full-time Australian employees over the last 12 months.
- The applicant (and partner) have held at least AU $600,000 net business and personal assets over the last 12 months.
- Applicant and partner’s main business generated turnover of at least AU $300,000 for the last 12 months.
- The applicant must have spent one out of the two years preceding the application living in Australia.
- The applicant must have maintained ownership of the main business for a period of at least two years.
Other Visa Options
Other programs and visas such as the following can be considered where applicable:
- Investor stream: This provisional visa requires you to invest at least 1.5 million AUD in an Australian State or Territory and maintain business or investment activity in Australia.
- Significant Investor stream: This visa allows you to continue your investment activities in Australia permanently.
- Premium Investor stream: This visa allows you to continue your investment activities in Australia permanently and for those who have held a subclass 188 visa in the Premium Investor stream for 12 months and have held a complying investment of AUD $15 million for the duration of your subclass 188 visa.
- Entrepreneur stream: This visa allows holders and, in some cases, people who have held a Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) in the Entrepreneur stream, to stay permanently.
- Short-term stream (Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482): This visa enables employers to address labour shortages by bringing in skilled workers where employers cannot source an appropriately skilled Australian worker.
- Medium -Term Stream (Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482): This visa enables employers to address labour shortages by bringing in skilled workers where employers cannot source an appropriately skilled Australian worker.
- Labour agreement stream (Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482): This visa is for skilled workers nominated by employers who have a Labour Agreement. It lets you live and work in Australia temporarily. Labour agreements are developed between the Australian Government and employers.
- Direct Entry stream (Employer nominated scheme visa – Subclass 186): This visa lets skilled workers, who are nominated by an employer, live and work in Australia permanently.
- Labour Agreement stream (Employer nominated scheme Subclass 186): This visa lets skilled workers who are nominated by their employer live and work in Australia permanently. The Labour Agreement stream might be for you if you currently work, or will work, for an employer who is party to a labour agreement.
Xpatweb’s expatriate solution specialists and partners are trained professionals with intricate knowledge of Australian immigration law. We provide expert advice and visa application assistance focused on your personal circumstances and requirements.
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