Visa Options - A Quick Reference Guide
If you are an individual or company located outside Australia and are considering relocating to South Australia, below is some information regarding visa options that you might like to consider.
Entrepreneurial Visa 188E
The Government of South Australia conducted a three-year Supporting Innovation in South Australia (SISA) Visa pilot program which concluded in November 2021. The SISA Visa was designed to attract promising overseas seed-stage entrepreneurs to develop their concepts in South Australia.
The SISA Visa has now been replaced by the updated Entrepreneur Stream of the Business Innovation and Investment Visa (Provisional / Subclass 188), which is the mechanism for a national rollout of the SISA Visa model from July 2021.
The Entrepreneur Stream provides a visa pathway, with the Department for Industry and Skills (DIS) acting as the nominating organisation. After a minimum of three years, SISA Visa holders who choose to use the Entrepreneur Stream could then become eligible for permanent residency.
With this visa you will be able to:
carry out entrepreneurial activity in Australia
bring eligible members of your family with you
apply for a permanent Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888) Entrepreneur stream if you meet certain requirements
To make an application you must
be nominated by a State or Territory government agency
undertake, or propose to undertake, a complying entrepreneur activity in Australia
show us a business plan for your entrepreneurial activity
have at least competent English
Applicants for the 188E must have their business ideas assessed by one the 5 DIS approved ecosystem partners: Thinclab, Flinders New Venture Institute, Stone and Chalk, Uni SA Innovation and Collaboration Centre, Moonshots Creative. Each of the 5 approved ecosystem partners has a web page where prospective international applicants can lodge their expressions of interest:
DIS has funded these 5 companies over 2 years (2021-23) to assess applicant’s business concepts and provide advice to DIS on their potential, as well as provide settling and support services to successful applicants.
The Entrepreneur Stream (188E) has some additional options over the SISA Visa in that its age limit is 55 years rather than 45 years. This enables applications from slightly older entrepreneurs who may have the experience and financial backing to pursue their entrepreneurial ideas. The Entrepreneur Streams has a 4 years and 3 month time horizon and a clear pathway to permanent residency.
Further information about the Entrepreneur Stream 188E is available here.
Global Talent Visa Program (formerly known as the Global Talent Independent / GTI)
The Global Talent Visa Program is a streamlined visa pathway for highly skilled professionals to work and live permanently in Australia.
Australia wants the brightest and best global talent to work in ten future-focused sectors, and the program is designed to support the economy by introducing innovative skills to high priority industries. This will create opportunities for Australians by transferring skills, promoting innovation and creating jobs.
The ten future-focused sectors include:
Resources
Agri-food and AgTech
Energy
Health Industries
Defence, Advanced Manufacturing and Space
Circular Economy
DigiTech
Infrastructure and Tourism
Financial Services and FinTech
Education
The Global Talent Visa Program (GTVP) focuses on attracting individuals, rather than start-up businesses, with international standing in their nominated fields. To be eligible for a Global Talent visa, individuals must:
prove they are internationally recognised with evidence of outstanding achievements
still be prominent in their field of expertise
provide evidence that they would be an asset to Australia, in their area of expertise
have no difficulty obtaining employment in Australia or becoming established in their field
have a recognised organisation or individual with a national reputation in the same field in Australia nominate them as global talent.
The GTVP does not require a State nomination; however, does require a nomination from an individual or organisation with an international reputation in the applicant’s nominated field of expertise that can attest to the applicant’s global standing and expertise.
In some cases, the Government of South Australia may act as the nominator through the Executive Director, Strategic Policy, Department of the Premier and Cabinet.
Further information about the Global Talent Visa Program is available here.
Further information about the South Australian State Government Nomination Process is available here.
Which visa should I apply for?
If you are having difficulty navigating the state endorsement and visa application process, you can engage the services of a Migration Agent who can help you understand all requirements and options available to you. To learn more about the purpose, support and responsibilities of a migration agent, visit the Find a Migration Agent page.