Business Visa Lawyers Sydney
Sydney Business Owners and Investors Trust CIA Lawyers to Get Their Visa Right the First Time
Starting or investing in a business in Australia is a big decision. A wrong step in your visa application can cost you months, money, and opportunity. At CIA Lawyers, our qualified immigration lawyers in Sydney guide business owners, investors, and entrepreneurs through every stage of the process – from eligibility to permanent residency.
We know Australian business migration law inside out. And we work hard to make sure your application is strong, complete, and ready to move.
Experienced Business Visa Lawyers in Sydney You Can Actually Trust
There are many places to get migration advice in Sydney. Very few offer the same level of legal protection that CIA Lawyers provides.
We are qualified solicitors, not just registered migration agents. That means we can give you full legal advice, draft detailed legal submissions, and represent you at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) or Federal Court if your application is refused.
When your business future is at stake, that difference matters.
Our Sydney-based team has helped business owners, investors, and high-net-worth individuals from across Australia and overseas navigate Australia's complex Business Innovation and Investment visa program. We understand what the Department of Home Affairs looks for, and we build your application around that.
Our Principal Lawyer, Ishraque Ahmad, is a Solicitor and Barrister with extensive court experience in Australia and New Zealand. He has handled a wide range of immigration, refugee, criminal and family law matters, including complex trials, and is known for a steady, results-focused approach.
What People Say After Working With Our Business Visa Lawyers
Our Business Visa Legal Services in Sydney
We handle the full process - from the first eligibility check through to your permanent residency grant.
Eligibility Assessment
Before you spend money on applications or state nomination, we sit down and review your situation in detail. We look at your business history, net assets, turnover records, age, investment profile, and current visa status.
We tell you honestly which visa stream suits you, what your weaknesses are, and how to strengthen your position before you apply.
State and Territory Nomination Strategy
Every business visa stream requires state or territory government nomination before the Department of Home Affairs will consider your application.
Different states have different priorities. New South Wales often favors scalable, high-revenue business models. Other states focus on employment creation, regional contribution, or innovation potential.
We help you choose the right state based on your business profile and the nomination criteria that match your strengths. A poorly matched application to the wrong state is one of the most common reasons for delays and refusals.
Expression of Interest (EOI) Through SkillSelect
For most business migration streams, you need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect before you can be invited to apply. Your EOI must accurately reflect your business background, assets, and intentions.
We prepare and lodge your EOI correctly so you put your best case forward from day one.
Full Application Preparation and Lodgement
Once invited to apply, we take over the full preparation of your application. This includes gathering all financial records, business documentation, investment evidence, and government forms.
A well-prepared, complete application moves through processing faster and reduces the risk of the Department requesting additional information - which can add months to your timeline.
We submit through ImmiAccount and manage all correspondence with the Department on your behalf.
Business Plan Preparation
Your business plan is one of the most important documents in a business visa application. Case officers reviewing your file may not have a business background. A weak or vague business plan is a common reason applications are scrutinised or refused.
We help you build a business plan that clearly explains how your proposed activity will benefit the Australian economy - covering things like employment creation, export activity, technology contribution, and commercial competitiveness.
Subclass 888 Permanent Residency Applications
If you are an existing Subclass 188 holder, we help you plan and prepare your Subclass 888 application. We review your business performance data, check your compliance with visa conditions, and make sure your state nomination is properly arranged.
This is not a simple renewal. It is a substantive assessment of what you have actually done in Australia. We make sure your file clearly demonstrates that.
Role Swapping Advice
Role swapping - where a secondary 188 visa holder becomes the primary applicant for the 888 visa - can be a valuable strategy in the right circumstances. This is particularly useful when the secondary applicant has taken the lead role in managing the business or investment.
The rules around role swapping are technical, especially when investments are not jointly held. We advise you on whether this strategy applies to your situation and how to do it correctly.
Visa Compliance Advice
Holding a business visa comes with ongoing obligations. You must notify the Department of changes to your residential address within 28 days. Business owners must remain active and involved in their business. Investor stream holders face regular audits of their investment portfolio.
Failing to meet these obligations can result in visa cancellation. We advise you on your exact conditions so you stay compliant throughout the visa period.
Refusals and Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) Appeals
If your business visa application is refused, the decision can be reviewed at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). We represent clients at this level, reviewing the refusal decision in full and building the strongest possible case for review.
If the ART also refuses, further options may exist in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. We advise on all review options and manage the process on your behalf.
Contact us for a personalized eligibility check
Meet Our Team
Practice Director
Ishraque Ahmad
Paralegal
Simran Ghimire
Knowledge Manager
Yuri Kazak
Legal Associate
Claudia
Legal Associate
Sumaia Islam
Lawyer
Jonathan Greete
Sales & Marketing Associate
Thunh Mai Le
Sales & Marketing Manager
Eduardo Mora
Operational Manager
Safat Ul Azam
Why Sydney Business Clients Choose CIA Lawyers
We hear this question often: “Why CIA Lawyers and not one of the big migration firms?”
Here is the honest answer.
A registered migration agent can prepare and lodge your application. An immigration lawyer can do all of that - and also provide full legal advice, write legal submissions, and represent you at tribunal or court. For a business migration matter, where applications are often complex and refusals are possible, having a lawyer in your corner from the start is simply better protection.
Before you spend a cent, we tell you whether your case is strong, what the risks are, and what you should do to improve your position. We do not take on cases we do not believe in.
At your first consultation, we give you a clear cost estimate - no surprises. You know what you are paying for and why.
From EOI to state nomination to lodgement to Department correspondence - we handle it all. You focus on your business. We focus on your visa.
You can speak with our team, explain your situation, and get an honest view before you commit to anything.
Who Comes to CIA Lawyers for Business Visa Help?
Our clients come from a wide range of backgrounds. If any of the below sounds like you, we can help.
Business owners looking to expand into Australia
You run a successful business overseas and want to establish or acquire a business here. You need to know which visa fits your profile and how to put together a strong application.
Existing Subclass 188 holders preparing for the 888
Your provisional visa is coming to an end and you need to transition to permanent residency. You are not sure if your business performance meets the threshold, or whether your state nomination is still valid.
Investors seeking a complying investment pathway
You have the capital but need guidance on which investment products are complying, how to structure them, and what the Department expects as evidence.
Applicants who received a refusal
A previous refusal does not close every door. We review the decision and advise on whether an appeal or a fresh application is the right strategy.
People with complex compliance histories
If your business changed direction after you arrived, if you missed reporting obligations, or if you moved states without informing the Department, we help you address these issues carefully and honestly.
What Sets us Apart
Business Visa Options in Australia
Australia's business migration program gives entrepreneurs and investors a pathway to live, work, and build in Australia. The two key visas in this space are the Subclass 188 (provisional) and the Subclass 888 (permanent).
Understanding which stream fits your situation is the first and most important step.
Subclass 188 - Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) Visa
The Subclass 188 was Australia's main provisional business visa for investors and business owners. It allowed eligible applicants to own and manage a business in Australia, make designated investments, or undertake entrepreneurial activities.
Important 2024 update: The Australian Government stopped accepting new Subclass 188 applications on 31 July 2024. Existing 188 holders are still in the system, and reforms to the broader business migration program are ongoing.
If you currently hold a Subclass 188 visa, our lawyers can help you understand your obligations and plan you pathway to permanent residency.
1.Subclass 188A - Business Innovation Stream
This was the most popular stream. It was designed for experienced business owners who wanted to establish or manage a business in Australia.
Key requirements included:
Minimum business turnover of AUD 750,000 in 2 of the last 4 years
Net business and personal assets of at least AUD 1.25 million
Score of at least 65 points on the Business Innovation points test
Age requirement: generally under 55 (states can waive this)
State or territory nomination from an Australian state government
This stream required active business participation - not passive investment. Applicants had to genuinely own and manage a qualifying business.
2.Subclass 188B - Investor Stream
The Investor Stream was for people who wanted to make a designated investment of at least AUD 1.5 million into a complying investment in an Australian state or territory.
Applicants needed to hold this investment for at least 4 years before applying for permanent residency under Subclass 888.
3. Subclass 188C - Significant Investor Stream
This stream required a AUD 5 million complying investment in approved Australian funds. It attracted high-net-worth individuals looking for a faster track to permanent residency. Applicants needed to maintain the investment for at least 4 years.
4.Subclass 188E - Entrepreneur Stream
This stream was for people proposing to undertake an entrepreneurial activity in Australia. It required third-party funding from a government agency or approved entity, along with a business plan.
Subclass 888 - Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) Visa
The Subclass 888 is the permanent residency pathway for existing Subclass 188 holders who have met the required business, investment, or residency criteria in Australia.
If you hold a Subclass 188 visa, transitioning to the 888 is the most important step you will take in your Australian business migration journey. The requirements vary by stream, but the key ones for the Business Innovation stream are:
Held your Subclass 188 for at least 2 years
Owned and actively operated a business in Australia for at least 2 years
Annual business turnover of at least AUD 300,000 in Australia
Maintained net assets of at least AUD 200,000 in Australia throughout the 2-year period
State or territory nomination for the 888 visa
For the Investor stream, you must have maintained your designated investment for at least 4 years. For the Significant Investor stream, the 5 million complying investment must be maintained for the full 4-year period.
The 888 visa grants permanent residency to the primary applicant and eligible family members.
Our lawyers review your full situation - business performance, asset position, compliance history - and tell you honestly whether you are ready to apply, and what to fix if you are not.
Global Talent Visa (Subclass 858)
For individuals with an exceptional record in a target sector - such as technology, science, health, energy, or financial services - the Global Talent visa (Subclass 858) offers a fast pathway to permanent residency without the need for state nomination or employer sponsorship.
If you believe you meet the profile for this visa, our team can assess your eligibility and guide you through the endorsement and application process.
National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858 - Replacement for Subclass 188)
Following the closure of the Subclass 188 to new applications, the National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858) has been introduced as a replacement pathway for entrepreneurs and innovators. This visa targets individuals with a demonstrated track record of innovation and exceptional achievement.
We stay up to date with changes to Australian business migration policy so we can always point you to the right pathway.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Subclass 188 stopped accepting new applications in July 2024. If you are an existing 188 holder, you should focus on meeting your visa conditions and planning your Subclass 888 permanent visa application. If you are starting fresh, the National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858) is the current pathway for entrepreneurs and business innovators. Our lawyers can assess whether you qualify and guide you through the process. Other options such as the Global Talent Visa may also apply depending on your background.
The answer depends on your stream. For the Business Innovation stream, you generally need to have held the 188 for at least 2 years, operated a qualifying business in Australia for 2 years, achieved a minimum annual turnover of AUD 300,000, and maintained at least AUD 200,000 in net assets in Australia. You also need fresh state nomination and must meet the Department's character and health requirements. We recommend speaking with a lawyer well before you intend to apply so you have time to address any gaps in your compliance record.
It can. Many 188 holders refine or pivot their business strategies after settling in Australia. If your business changed significantly, you should have updated your business plan and sought approval from your nominating state or territory. Failing to do so can result in your 888 nomination being refused. We help clients address this situation honestly and, where possible, remedy it before the 888 application is lodged.
Role swapping means the secondary applicant on a Subclass 188 visa becomes the primary applicant for the Subclass 888 permanent visa. This can be useful when the secondary applicant took the lead role in the business or investment. However, the rules are technical. For example, if your investment or bonds are not held jointly, role swapping may not be possible. Before making any decisions, speak with an immigration lawyer who understands the 888 framework.
A refusal is not the end of the road. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to seek a merits review at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). If the ART also refuses, there may be options for judicial review in the Federal courts. The key is to act quickly - review periods are time-limited. Our lawyers read the refusal decision carefully, identify the grounds for challenge, and advise you honestly on whether an appeal is worth pursuing.
Other Services we provide in Sydney
- Civil Law
- Appeals & Reviews
- Family law
- Criminal Law
- Traffic Law
- Sports Law
- Commercial law
Behind every business visa application is a real person with a real plan for their future in Australia.
That is why we take every case seriously.
CIA Lawyers in Sydney is here to help. We give you honest advice, handle the hard work, and make sure your rights and your family's future are protected.
Strong Local Presence in Sydney
Based in Sydney, CIA Lawyers provides immigration legal services across Sydney CBD, Parramatta and Western Sydney. Our team regularly works within Australia’s legal and migration framework, with experience appearing before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA), the Federal Court and other relevant jurisdictions. Being locally based means we understand how migration matters are handled within New South Wales and at the federal level. We are familiar with court procedures, tribunal expectations and Department of Home Affairs processes, allowing us to prepare cases thoroughly and represent clients with confidence.