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Arwinder Pal Singh RANDHAWA: MARN-1574550
Queensland welcomes business and skilled migrants to experience working, living, and playing in its stable economy, responsible government, plentiful business and work opportunities, and a safe and clean sub-tropical environment.
Queensland is looking for skilled migrants to fill a range of critical skill shortages. With year-round beautiful weather and great career opportunities, Queensland is a popular choice for skilled migrants. It is an ideal place to work and live, offering a high standard of living and good working conditions, including equal opportunity in the workplace, safe working conditions, the world’s highest minimum wage, and a range of entitlements such as public holidays and paid leave.
If you want to migrate to Queensland on a skilled visa, you must first obtain a nomination from the state. State nominated visas allow you to live and work permanently in Queensland. The following visa types are available:
- Skilled Nominated (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 190)
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)
Subclass 491 is a five year, points-tested visa that leads to permanent residency and requires nominated skilled workers to live and be employed in regional Queensland. Subclass 491 visa holders are eligible for Medicare. Queensland state nomination for Subclass 491 visa is available in four categories:
- Skilled workers living in Queensland.
- Skilled workers living offshore – Currently Closed.
- Graduates of a Queensland university.
- Small business owners operating in regional Queensland.
You may undertake employment through work for one or more employers, work at two part-time jobs, or work in your own business as an owner or operator.
If you want to migrate to Queensland on a skilled visa, you must first obtain a nomination from the state. State nominated visas allow you to live and work permanently in Queensland. The following visa types are available:
- Skilled Nominated (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 190)
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)
Subclass 491 is a five year, points-tested visa that leads to permanent residency and requires nominated skilled workers to live and be employed in regional Queensland. Subclass 491 visa holders are eligible for Medicare. Queensland state nomination for Subclass 491 visa is available in four categories:
- Skilled workers living in Queensland
- Skilled workers living offshore – currently closed
- Graduates of a Queensland university
- Small business owners operating in regional Queensland
You may undertake employment through work for one or more employers, work at two part-time jobs, or work in your own business as an owner or operator.
- Have a points-test result of 80 or higher for 190, and 65 or higher for 491 (please note that Migration Queensland will be selecting from the highest points for each occupation).
- Have an occupation on Home Affairs’ relevant list of eligible skilled occupations (LIN 19/051).
- Have Proficient English.
If you are lodging an Expression of Interest for a 190 visa: Provide evidence of full-time post-qualification employment (minimum of 35 hours per week) over the past 6 months in Queensland in your nominated occupation immediately prior to submitting your EOI.
If you are lodging an Expression of Interest for a 491 visa, provide evidence that you have been living in regional Queensland and undertaking full-time post-qualification employment (minimum of 35 hours per week) over the past 3 months in your nominated occupation immediately prior to submitting your EOI.
Provide evidence of ongoing employment with a Queensland employer that is registered in Queensland for a further 12 months (minimum of 35 hours per week). For a 491 visa, this must be ongoing employment in a regional area.
Commit to living and working in Queensland for 2 years for a 190 visa and 3 years for the 491 from visa grant.
Businesses must have an office in Queensland, and a virtual office is not accepted.
The skilled visa program is currently closed to offshore applicants.
This pathway is for high performing graduates, who have graduated from a Queensland university from a Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree or PhD, and are currently onshore in Queensland.
PhD Graduates for Subclass 491
- Have an occupation on Skilled Occupation List issued by the Department of Home Affairs.
- Finished 100% of course in Queensland and has had a decision on thesis or graduated in the last 2 years
- No job required.
Masters and Bachelor Graduates Subclass 491
- Have an occupation on Skilled Occupation List issued by the Department of Home Affairs.
- Studied at a Queensland University / Institute.
- Completed 100% of course.
- GPA 6.0 or higher.
- Have Proficient English or higher.
- Have a minimum of 3 months’ work experience of at least 20 hours per week (after graduation) in the nominated or closely related occupation.
- Job offer for a minimum of 20 hours per week for 12 months.
Labour Hire Employment
If you are employed through a labour hire company, make sure that they are registered in Queensland. All labour hire providers operating in Queensland must be licensed under the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017, including those based interstate or overseas who supply workers in Queensland. You will be required to provide evidence that your labour hire company complies with these registration requirements. Your Statement of service must be written by the company you have been placed within.
This pathway is for migrants who are currently living and operating a small business in a regional area. You must have an occupation that is on the Department of Home Affairs Skilled Occupation List and a have a positive skills assessment in that occupation. You must also have full-time work rights and not currently be studying. This pathway is also available for profitable start-ups which have been operating for 2 years with a minimum of $200,000 turnover in the 12 months directly prior to application.
Businesses purchased after 1 April 2021
Any pre-existing business purchased after 1 April 2021 must have been in operation for 2 years, instead of the usual 1 year. It must also have been purchased for a minimum purchase price of $100,000, rather than total investment in the business. Commission agents or leasing agents of franchises (such as petrol stations), and home-based businesses (such as courier and cleaning businesses) will not be considered. Businesses that have been purchased prior to 1 April 2021 are not subject to these requirements, however there must be a valid contract provided for the business before this date (ie business must have already been settled).
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a Queensland nomination, you must meet both the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Eligibility Criteria and Migration Queensland criteria for your chosen visa category.
Department of Home Affairs Criteria
- Have a points-test result of 65 or higher, inclusive of state nomination points;
- Have a positive skills assessment in your nominated occupation;
- Be under 45 years of age;
- Meet the minimum English language requirement of competent, unless a higher level is required by your assessing authority; and
- Submit additional documents, if invited to lodge an application for a 491 visa.
Migration Queensland Criteria
- Have an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List;
- Operate the business successfully for at least 6 months prior to EOI or 2 years for start-ups;
- Be on a visa that allows full-time work and operation of the business (minimum of 35 hours per week);
- Have purchased an existing business in regional Queensland;
This is not available for home-based businesses. Franchise businesses must have been operating for at least 2 years prior to purchase in the current location.
Purchased a business for a minimum of $100,000, OR have been operating a profitable start-up for a minimum of 2 years with a turnover of $200,000 in the year directly prior to application.
- Have 100% ownership of the business – partnerships or joint ventures are not eligible;
- Have been trading in the business for 6 months before application;
- Employ 1 employee who is an Australian resident, working a minimum of 20 hours per week. An Australian resident in this situation is an Australian permanent resident, Australian citizen, or a New Zealand citizen on a Special Category visa (subclass 444);
- Provide evidence of sufficient settlement funds which currently are A$10,000 for primary applicant and A$5000 for each additional dependant.
You must live and work within one of the following post codes to be eligible for this visa: 4019–4022, 4025, 4037, 4074, 4076–4078, 4124–4125, 4133, 4183–4184, 4207–4275, 4280–4287, 4300–4301, 4303–4498, 4500–4512, 4514–4519, 4521, 4550–4575, 4580–4895.
Review your eligibility criteria by the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) and the Migration Queensland (MQ), and ensure that you meet both the DOHA and MQ criteria, and that you have all your documentation ready before you apply.
For Queensland state nomination, submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) with SkillSelect. Ensure that all information, such as work experience, is included in your EOI. Preference will be given to applicants who select “Queensland” as their nominating state of choice.
Submit the online 491 – Small Business Owner Assessment form.
Migration Queensland assesses all EOIs that meet the DOHA and MQ criteria. If you are successful, you will receive an email invitation to lodge an application and be requested to provide the documents required. Migration Queensland do not accepts documents sent by email or post.
When you have received your invitation from Migration Queensland: upload the required documents; and pay the non-refundable application fee to finalise your application. Do not pay the fee until you have been invited to apply and all your documents have been uploaded.
Migration Queensland will then review your application and may request any further information.
You will be given 14 days to finalise your application from the date of invitation. If you are unable to provide the relevant information within this time frame, you will need to seek an extension from Migration Queensland. Applications not finalised within the time frame will be closed and applicants will need to submit a new EOI if they wish to seek Queensland nomination again.
Once Migration Queensland has received and approved your completed application, you will receive an invitation from the Department of Home Affairs to lodge your visa application. You will be given 60 days to lodge your application with them.
If you realise that you have made a mistake on your submitted EOI after receiving a nomination, or if you miss the lodgement date, you will have to wait 6 months before applying again.
This visa is for onshore skilled workers and Queensland PhD graduates who wish to live and work in Queensland permanently. If you are a current holder of a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) or have applied for a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), you will not be eligible for nomination for the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190). This restriction also applies to the Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489).
PhD Graduates for Subclass 190
- Have an occupation on Skilled Occupation List issued by the Department of Home Affairs.
- Finished 100% of course in Queensland and has had a decision on thesis or graduated in the last 2 years
- No job required.
Queensland welcomes migrants for business and investment. With a range of business visa options available, Queensland offers a range of business advantages such as a stable economy, supportive government, and a solid growth forecast. Queensland’s low operating costs, highly skilled workforce, strong and diverse industries, and strategic Asia Pacific location create an attractive investment destination. If you want to migrate to Queensland on a business visa, you must first obtain a state nomination. State migration is managed by the Queensland Government, through Migration Queensland. The following visa types are available:
- Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 188)
- Permanent Subclass 888 Visa
Queensland welcomes migrants interested in owning and managing business or making an investment in Queensland. This visa is a state-nominated 5-year provisional visa that is a pathway to the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 888). There are four streams available:
- Business Innovation is for those interested in owning and managing a new or existing business in Queensland.
- Investor is for investors or business owners looking to invest in a complying investment in Australia.
- Significant Investor is for those interested in making a significant complying investment in Australia.
- Entrepreneur is for start-up and early-stage entrepreneurs who have been endorsed to develop their concepts.
Must demonstrate a genuine commitment to Queensland.
Must have net business and personal assets of at least A$1.25 million ready to be transferred to Queensland after visa grant.
Must invest in one or two qualifying business(es) in Queensland after being granted visa: business investment of at least A$400,000 if the proposed business will be established in the Greater Brisbane and Gold Coast regions; or business investment of at least A$300,000 if the proposed business will be established in regional Queensland.
Export business must develop international markets for Queensland products.
General importing business will not be acceptable unless the imported products are highly innovative, advanced in technology, or currently unavailable in Queensland. You should also provide value-adding service to the imported products such as customised design, product assembly installation, testing, repair, maintenance, etc.
Property Development business will not be accepted.
Must demonstrate a genuine commitment to Queensland.
Must have net business and personal assets of at least A$3 million ready to be transferred to Queensland, Australia (including A$2.5 million for Complying Investment and A$500,000 for Settlement in Queensland).
Complying Investment Framework (CIF):
- 20% in Venture Capital & Growth Private Equity funds (VCPE) that invest in start-up and small private Companies
- 30% in approved managed funds that must invest in emerging companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.
- 50% in balancing investments of managed funds.
After holding this provisional visa for 3 years, you may be eligible to apply for the permanent residency (subclass 888 visa). The 188 – Investor stream cannot be extended.
To seek Queensland state nomination, you must demonstrate a genuine commitment to Queensland.
Have net assets of at least A$5 million, which will be invested in Complying Investment in accordance to Complying Investment Framework (CIF).
Complying Investment Framework (CIF):
- 20% in Venture Capital & Growth Private Equity funds (VCPE) that invest in start-up and small private Companies
- 30% in approved managed funds that must invest in emerging companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.
- 50% in balancing investments of managed funds.
After holding this provisional visa for 3 years, you may be eligible to apply for the permanent residency (subclass 888 visa). The 188 – Significant Investor stream can be extended up to 2 times.
Queensland welcomes migrants who are startup and early-stage entrepreneurs who have been endorsed to develop their concepts. You must also meet the Migration Queensland criteria, which will be available in the coming months.
This visa is the second stage application for permanent residency for holders of the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 188). It allows you to stay in Queensland on a permanent basis for the purpose of managing a business or investment. To be considered for Queensland nomination, you must:
- Hold a current Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 188) or a Special Category Visa (Subclass 444).
- Have fulfilled the requirements of your provisional visa.
- Demonstrate that you meet the Department of Home Affairs Eligibility Criteria for the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888).
- Register your application directly with Migration Queensland.
To be considered for Queensland nomination, you must:
- hold a current 188 visa – Business Innovation stream; and
- have complied with all the Migration Queensland requirements you undertook for the 188 visa; and
- demonstrate that you meet the Home Affairs Immigration Eligibility Criteria for the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (Subclass 888); and
- register your application directly with Migration Queensland.
Additional eligibility criteria are based on your original visa
- Provide evidence of your genuine commitment to Queensland, such as: purchase of properties for family residence, additional investment, study in Queensland, etc
- Provide evidence that you have resided in Queensland for at least 1 year.
EOI for 188 visa submitted from 1 July 2021
- Provide evidence that a minimum of A$400,000 was invested in one or two qualifying business(es) located in the Greater Brisbane and Gold Coast regions; or
- Provide evidence that a minimum of A$300,000 was invested in one or two qualifying business(es) located in regional Queensland.
EOI for 188 visa submitted from 14 July 2016 to 30 June 2021
- Provide evidence that a minimum of A$200,000 was invested in one or two qualifying business(es) located in Queensland.
EOI for 188 visa submitted prior to 14 July 2016
- Provide evidence that a minimum of A$500,000 was invested in one or two qualifying business(es) located in Brisbane or the Gold Coast; or
- Provide evidence that a minimum of A$300,000 was invested in one or two qualifying business(es) located in other regions of Queensland.
If your current business is different to that initially approved as part of your 188 application, please provide a copy of Migration Queensland’s written approval of changing your business proposal. This approval must be granted before you proceed to lodge your nomination application for 888 visa.
To be considered for Queensland nomination, you must:
- Hold a current 188 visa – Business Investor stream; and
- Have complied with all the Migration Queensland requirements you undertook for the 188 visa; and
- Demonstrate that you meet the Home Affairs Immigration Eligibility Criteria for the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (Subclass 888); and
- Register your application directly with Migration Queensland.
Additional eligibility criteria are based on your original visa
- Provide evidence of your genuine commitment to Queensland, such as: purchase of properties for family residence, additional investment, study in Queensland; and
- Provide evidence that you have resided in Queensland for at least 2 years.
EOI for 188 visa submitted from 1 July 2021
- Provide evidence that you have transferred at least A$3 million to Queensland, Australia, including A$500,000 for settlement in Queensland and A$2.5 million held in Complying Investment for the entire period of your 188 visa.
EOI for 188 visa submitted prior to 1 July 2021
- Provide evidence that you have transferred at least A$2.25 million to Queensland, including A$1.5 million of Designated Investment into Queensland Treasury Corporation (QTC) Bond for at least 4 years; and
- The designated investment in the Queensland Treasury Corporation Bond has been held for at least 4 years; and You have been in Queensland for at least 2 of the last 4 years.
To be considered for Queensland nomination, you must:
- Hold a current 188 visa – Significant Investor stream; and
- Have complied with all the Migration Queensland requirements you undertook for the 188 visa; and
- Demonstrate that you meet the Home Affairs Immigration Eligibility Criteria for the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 888); and
- Register your application directly with Migration Queensland.
Additional eligibility criteria are based on your original visa and the date of your original EOI submission
- Provide evidence of your genuine commitment to Queensland, such as: purchase of properties for family residence, additional investment, study in Queensland; and
- Provide evidence of residing in Queensland (applicant 40 days x number of years of holding 188 visa or spouse 180 days x number of years holding 188 visa), unless outside Australia during a COVID-19 concession period.
EOI submitted for 188 visa from 1 July 2021
- Provide evidence of having held complying investment of A$5 million for the entire period of your 188 visa. If you applied for your 188 visa from 1 July 2021, you may be eligible to apply for the Permanent visa (subclass 888) after having held your provisional visa for 3 years.
EOI for 188 visa submitted prior to 1 July 2021
- Provide evidence of having held complying investment of A$5 million for the entire period of your 188 visa.
- If you applied for your 188 visa prior to 1 July 2015, you may be eligible to apply for the Permanent visa (Subclass 888) after having held your provisional visa for 3 years and 11 months.
- If you applied for your 188 visa after 1 July 2015, you may be eligible to apply for the Permanent visa (Subclass 888) after having held your provisional visa for 4 years.
- You must satisfy the time frame for maintaining your complying investment, prior to applying for your 888 visa.
To be considered for Queensland nomination, you must:
- Hold a current 188 visa in Business Entrepreneur stream; and
- Have complied with all the Migration Queensland requirements you undertook for the 188 visa; and
- Demonstrate that you meet the Home Affairs Immigration Eligibility Criteria for the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 888); and
- Register your application directly with Migration Queensland.
Additional eligibility criteria are based on your original visa
- Provide evidence of your genuine commitment to Queensland, such as: purchase of properties for family residence, additional investment, study in Queensland, etc
- Provide evidence that you have resided in Queensland for at least 2 years.
EOI for 188 visa submitted from 1 July 2021
- To be advised
EOI for 188 visa submitted prior to 1 July 2021
- Provide evidence that you have undertaken successful entrepreneurial activities in Queensland after being granted your 188 visa.
Disclaimer: Information on this website does not constitute personal migration advice. For a customized migration advice based on your personal circumstances, please call and talk to one of our Immigration Consultants or register your interest with our Associates.
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Arwinder Pal Singh RANDHAWA: MARN-1574550