Home / Work Visas / Employer Sponsored Visas / Business Long Stay Visa

Business Long Stay Visa

457 - Business Long Stay Visa

This visa can be applied for in Australia or overseas. The visa allows an Australian or overseas business to sponsor skilled individuals to fill a specific full-time skilled position for up to 4 years. The visa allows the employee (and their immediate family) to live and work in Australia and to travel as required.


There is no points test for this visa.

Main Criteria

There are 3 main stages to applying for a Business Long Stay 457 visa;

The employer has to obtain approval to be a standard business sponsor. The employer will be able to nominate positions under the sponsorship approval for up to 3 years.

To be eligible to apply the company must be able to show that it:

  • is a lawful and actively operating business;
  • has a strong commitment to employing local labour;
  • has non-discriminatory work practices;
  • meets training benchmarks.

Note: Regional Company Concessions are no longer available .

As the employer, once you have the sponsorship approval you can then nominate the position you want to sponsor for approval. You must provide information on;

  • the position (the occupation must be on the list of specified 457 occupations)
  • terms and conditions of employment
  • skills and experience required for the position
  • market salary rate, and the salary rate to be paid to the prospective overseas employee
  • name of the prospective overseas employee.

As the prospective employee you can then apply for your visa. To lodge a visa application the sponsorship and nomination must have been lodged with or prior to the visa application.

You must show that you;

  • are sponsored by an employer for a nominated position;
  • have the appropriate level of skills, qualifications and experience required for the position (NB. certain Trades are required to hold a skills assessment prior to application);
  • meet the English language requirements;
  • are to be paid at market salary rates;
  • would be able to obtain any relevant licences or registration required for the nominated position;
  • meet health & character requirements;
  • hold health insurance cover or have arranged reciprocal health care (RHCA).