Permitted Activities under the Australia Business Visa

Australia offers multiple visa streams to people planning to visit Australia for business, including a subclass 188 visa, eVisitor (subclass 651) or a Visitor Visa (subclass 600). All these categories are part of business visitor streams. However, visa holders must know the activities permitted under the business visa category. Not adhering to the terms and conditions of the visa could result in penalties, including fines, deportation, imprisonment, or even a permanent ban from re-entering the country.

What are the permitted activities?

As a rule of thumb, visitors to Australia are not allowed to work, however, they can undertake some activities as determined by the Department of Home Affairs, known as ‘Business Visitor Activities’.

The primary idea behind a business visitor visa is to prevent foreign nationals from entering the Australian job market. The government considers the following ‘Business Visitor Activities’ undertaken by a foreign national on a visitor visa.

· Making a general business or employment inquiry;

· Investing, negotiating, assessing, or reviewing a business contract;

· Any activity carried out as part of a government contract;

· Participating in a conference, seminar, B2B event, fair, or activity where the visa holder does not get paid for participation.

What is considered a breach of business visitor conditions?

Business visitor visa holders must find a way to undertake paid work in Australia. Any breach of the visa conditions may result in direct cancellation of the visa or deportation from Australia.

Moreover, Australian employers found guilty of employing someone with a visitor visa status may have to bear criminal penalties or even license cancellation.

Other business investor visa options

Subclass 188-Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa

This is a five-year temporary visa for applicants who are nominated by an Australian state or territory government and also meet the minimum point threshold for the visa. To be nominated, one must lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect system.

Once you have successfully established your business in Australia, you become eligible to apply for permanent residence through the Business Innovation & Investment (Residence) subclass 888 visa. However, the visa has been shelved recently by the Australian government due to negative economic outcomes.