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This visa might be for you if you will make a short business visit to Australia for up to three months. Business activities may include a conference, negotiation or exploratory business visit. You can be allowed to engage in limited work if it is highly specialized and non-ongoing. With this visa, you can enter Australia once or on multiple occasions during the validity period. You may bring your partner or dependent children to Australia with a Business (Short Stay) visa.
No sponsorship is required. You may also be eligible to apply for an ETA or an eVisitor if you are a holder of an applicable passport. The main purpose of this visa is to allow you to conduct business in Australia.
Example requirements for a Business (Short Stay) Visa
Before you can apply for this visa, you have to meet several requirements. Since you will do business activities in Australia, your personal attributes and business background must be relevant to these. You may be asked to provide:
- Evidence of your education or professional qualifications;
- Evidence of your current employment and your role during your visit;
- Details of your previous contacts with Australian business people or organizations;
- Documents to show that the company you work for is an actively operating business – you can submit a business registration certificate, annual report, etc.
You may also be asked to provide evidence for the need to visit Australia on business. You may provide:
- A letter of invitation from the host organization in Australia;
- The conference registration details;
- Your employment contract;
- A letter from your employer stating the reasons for your visit;
- Your itinerary with contact details of the business parties involved.
Another requirement might be the evidence of funds. You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family (if applicable) during your stay in Australia. You may submit a bank statement or a letter from your financial institution. You may be asked to undergo medical examination and you must meet the character requirement. You may also be asked to provide a police clearance. You must not have any outstanding debts to Australia.
(These are general instructions only, please contact a Migration Agent for advice on your personal situation).
How do you Apply for a Business (Short Stay) visa
Below is a list of information and supporting documents you may need to submit to make a complete application. Check you own individual requirements before submitting.
- Complete Form 456, Application for a Business (Short Stay) visa;
- Pay a visa application charge of AUD105 or its equivalent if you will apply outside Australia – you may contact the Immigration Office nearest your area for the method of payment and the currency to be used. This is not refundable if your application is denied;
- Your valid passport and the passports of your dependents – passports must be valid for at least 6 months;
- Two recent passport size photos of yourself and your dependents;
- Certified copies of birth certificates for yourself and accompanying family members;
- You may be asked to undergo medical examination;
- You may be asked to submit a police clearance;
- Evidence of your travel insurance;
- Evidence of adequate funds;
- Documentation of the requirements mentioned above.
You must submit a signed and completed application form and supporting documents by post, by courier or in person at the nearest Immigration Office in your area.
(These are general instructions only, please contact a Migration Agent for advice on your personal situation).
After you lodge your Visa Application
After you have submitted your Business (Short Stay) visa, there is a one month processing period. You may be asked to submit additional information or to attend an interview during this time. You must send this requirement within the time specified in your notification letter. Otherwise, your application will be decided based on the information you have submitted.
If your visa is granted, you will receive a letter from the Department advising you of your grant number, validity date and conditions of your visa. A visa label may be placed in your passport or if this is not required, airline staff will electronically confirm that you have the authority to travel to Australia when you check-in for your flight.
With a Business (Short Stay) visa, you are allowed to stay in Australia for a maximum of three months on each arrival, you must leave Australia before your visa expires because you cannot apply for an extension of this visa. If you want to stay longer than three months or migrate, you must apply for a different type of visa. Also, you cannot work in Australia except in strictly limited circumstances and you cannot engage in a work that can be done by an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
If your visa application is not granted, you will receive a notification letter from the Department advising you the reasons for the refusal, your review rights and the time limit to seek review by the Migration Review Tribunal.
