Step 2 - Sponsor Completes Sponsorship Form and Lodges Application
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To lodge an application for this visa, the sponsor must have received a signed and completed visa application Form 1238, and supporting documents from the business visitor.
Application charge
The sponsor pays a non-refundable visa application charge on behalf of the business visitor when lodging the application in Australia.
See: Charges (Fees)
Application checklist
The application checklist details the information and supporting documents that the sponsor and business visitor must provide when they lodge the application. Complete applications are likely to be processed more quickly. Incomplete applications may be delayed or, in some cases, refused.
See: Application Checklist Sponsored Business Visitor (Short Stay) Visa (Subclass 459) (59KB PDF file)
Information to help you prepare your application
Information about certifying and translating documents, communicating with the department, using a migration agent, authorising another person to receive information from the department, and receiving assistance with your application.
See: Information to Help You Prepare Your Application
Application form
The sponsor completes the sponsorship form and attaches all necessary documentation.
See: Form 1235 Application for Sponsorship for Sponsored Business Visitors (short-stay) (222KB PDF file)
How and where to lodge an application
The sponsor lodges the application for this visa and supporting documentation in Australia on behalf of the business visitor. The business visitor must be outside Australia to be granted the visa.
All Sponsored Business Visitor (Short Stay) (subclass 459) applications are processed by one of three centres of excellence.
The table below describes the three-step procedure that the sponsor follows to lodge the application.
| Step | Sponsor Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| 1 | Completes and signs Part E of the visa application Form 1238 when they receive it from the business visitor who is still outside Australia. |
| 2 | Completes and signs the sponsorship form. See: Form 1235 Application for Sponsorship for Sponsored Business Visitors (short-stay) (222KB PDF file) |
| 3 | Lodges all forms, supporting documentation and the application charge by post, courier or in person directly to the appropriate centre of excellence or at any state or territory office. |
All applications lodged prior to 1 July 2008 will continue to be processed in the receiving state or territory office.
Lodging multiple business visitor applications
A sponsor is able to lodge an application to sponsor several business visitors at the one time. The table below describes this four-step process.
| Stage | Who | Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Each business visitor | Sends a signed and completed visa application form by post or fax to the sponsor in Australia. See: Form 1238 Application for a Sponsored Business Visitor (short-stay) visa (for a stay of up to 3 months) (259KB PDF file) |
| 2 | Sponsor | Completes and signs Part E of the visa application forms 1238 received from each business visitor while they are still outside Australia. |
| 3 | Sponsor | Completes one sponsorship form only, listing details for all the business visitors they are sponsoring. See: Form 1235 Application for Sponsorship for Sponsored Business Visitors (short-stay) (222KB PDF file) |
| 4 | Sponsor | Lodges the following at a centre of excellence
|
After you lodge your application
For information about what happens after the sponsor lodges the application:
See: After You Lodge Your Application
More information
If you have read all the available information, and still have an enquiry, contact the department.
See: More information