The Federal Government has announced a new three-year multiple entry visitor visa for Chinese business visitors in a bid to encourage repeat visits and further investment in Australia, according to Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb.
China, which has recently overtaken the UK as Australia’s largest source country of business stream visitor visas, accounted for 18.5% of all visitor subclass 600 applications in the first quarter of 2013-2014.
Mr Robb says the greater flexibility allowed by the changes will create further trade opportunities between Australia and China, particularly in lieu of the government’s decision to increase seating capacity to Chinese airlines.
‘These changes will also support the government’s ambitious trade and investment agenda and increase the opportunities to do business with China’
‘Total Chinese investment in Australia grew more than eight-fold between 2002 and 2012, to $23 billion and we want to see strong continued growth.’
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison also welcomes the changes, saying the new visas will advertise that Australia is open to business with our international neighbours, whilst maintaining visa integrity.
‘Leading up to Chinese New Year celebrations, in one month alone our posts in China finalised more than 80,000 visa applications,’ he said.
