Australian and New Zealand residence visas in 2024

Summary of important information Australia 457 Australia 188 New Zealand
Is Client required to establish a local business? Yes, before approval Yes, after visa approval Yes, after visa approval
Estimated total timelines to secure the visa? 14 months 12 months 8 months
Minimum investment required to secure visa? No official threshold No official threshold NZ$100,000
Recommended investment required to secure visa AU$200,000 AU$200,000 NZ$200,000
Main engagement challenge? Become a sponsor company -
Be a lawful operating business, employ locals, achieve training benchmark
Secure Government or registered investor funding of AU$200,000 Provide authorities with supporting documents for realistic business setup project
Visa considerations
Recommended type of visa? 457 (temporary work) 188 (entrepreneur stream) Entrepreneur work Visa
Visa type? Skilled Entrepreneur Entrepreneur
Initial duration? 4 years 4 years 3 months 12 months
Renewable? Yes No Yes (up to 2 years)
Minimum total timelines to secure the visa? 12 months 9 months 3 months
Business setup requirements
Local company formation required after visa approval? Required before visa approval Yes Yes
Estimated costs for company incorporation? AU$15,827 AU$15,827 US$17,235
Local corporate bank account required? Yes Yes Yes
Main visa approval requirements?
Local residential address in country? Yes Yes Yes
Minimum investment? No official threshold No official threshold NZ$100,000
Higher capital investment directly affect visa approval? Yes Yes Yes
Must the amount be paid-up to a local account before visa submission? No No No
Can the amount be withdrawn and sent back to Client’s foreign account post visa approval? No No No
Can the amount be used for expenses of the business? Yes Yes Yes
Is Client required to hire locally for visa eligibility? Yes Yes Yes
Is Client required to go through a health screening test? Yes Yes Yes
Is Client required to get police certificate in all his countries of residency? Yes Yes Yes
Government sponsorship required for visa eligibility? No Yes No
Is visa eligibility dependent on funds awarded by Government or venture capital fund? No Yes, minimum of AU$200,000 No
Is a feasibility study required for visa approval? No Yes Yes
Main visa renewal requirements?
Initial visa validity? 4 years 4 years 3 months 1 year
Maximum stay in the country on the visa? 4 years 4 years 3 months 3 years
Company must be incorporated for renewal? Yes Visa is non-renewable Yes
If company not incorporated will visa be cancelled? Yes Yes Yes

Contact us

For additional information on our visa services in Australia, please contact our in-house country expert, Ms. Chrissi Zamora, directly:
client relationship officer - Chrissi
australia-taxation