My wife and I are thinking of buying a bed and breakfast business on the West Coast. We have almost no knowledge of the visa system. Can we (and our 5 month boy) just move over and eventually become permanent residents? We have previously tried the general skilled migration route but failed the points test.

It is much more difficult to attain permanent residency these days via a business visa strategy - ie since the 457-Independent Executive visa category ceased at the end of last February.

Have a read here for more details regarding business skills visas:
http://www.gomatilda.com/visas/business_skilled_migration.cfm

Best regards.

Alan Collett
alan-at-gomatilda-dot-com
Registered Migration Agent Number 0102534
and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
http://www.gomatilda.com and
http://www.collettandco.co.uk
Offices in Southampton, England; Perth, Australia; and Melbourne, Australia

Thanks Alan

We think we may be able to satisfy the Business Owner (Provisional) 160 Visa. There is an existing family business that we could use. Only one part of this concerns me - "must have personal and business net assets of A$500,000 which ARE CAPABLE of being transferred to Australia within 2 years". Does this mean that although on paper we meet the point, are we expected to produce this money?

Gareth,

Please note that you must have an ownership interest in the UK business of at least 10% of the equity.

With regard to the financial requirement, you will be required to provide documentation to confirm that you have business and personal net assets of the required amount.

Please also note that you will be required to demonstrate your direct and continuous involvement in the management of the UK business, and in making decisions affecting the overall direction and performance of the business. It is worth remembering that business skills visas are focussed on applicants who have business skills, unlike skilled visa applications which are the route for those with skilled occupations.

Hope this helps.

Alan Collett
alan-at-gomatilda-dot-com
Registered Migration Agent Number 0102534
and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
http://www.gomatilda.com and
http://www.collettandco.co.uk
Offices in Southampton, England; Perth, Australia; and Melbourne, Australia