Pathway to PR: Queensland’s 491 Visa for Small Business Owners

Vikrant Gungash
Jul 26
3 min read

By Vikrant Singh, July 26, 2025

If you're a migrant entrepreneur living in regional Queensland and running a small business — there's a unique pathway to permanent residency waiting just for you.

Queensland’s Small Business Owner (SBO) stream under the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa [subclass 491] is tailor-made for individuals who contribute to local economies by operating small businesses in regional areas.

Although the State Nominated Migration Program for FY2024–25 is now closed, Migration Queensland is still processing applications already submitted. So if you’ve already applied — your application is still in motion.

What is the 491 Visa?

The 491 visa is a points-tested provisional visa that allows skilled migrants and their families to:

Live
Work
Study

in regional Australia for up to five years, with a pathway to permanent residency after three years.

Who is the Small Business Owner Pathway for?

This stream is designed for migrants who already reside in regional Queensland and are actively running a small business there.

You can apply under either of the two pathways — depending on your situation and business type.

Two Pathways Under the SBO Stream

Pathway	Key Criteria
Pathway 1	For business owners who purchased an existing business in regional Queensland.
Pathway 2	For entrepreneurs who started a new business in regional Queensland.

Each pathway has its own eligibility checklist — including business investment amounts, operating periods, and local employment requirements.

General Eligibility Snapshot

While the detailed requirements vary between the two pathways, applicants generally must:

Live in regional Queensland
Own and operate a small business
Hold a valid visa (usually a temporary graduate or bridging visa)
Meet health and character requirements
Be committed to living and working in regional Queensland long-term

Why This Matters

This program not only gives small business owners a shot at permanent residency, but also boosts local economies by supporting grassroots entrepreneurship in regional communities.

For many, it’s a win-win: business growth and migration success.

Timeline Update (FY 2024–25)

As of now, the SBO stream is temporarily closed for new applications this financial year. However, applications already submitted will continue to be fully assessed by Migration Queensland.

For updates and future reopening dates, keep checking the official Migration Queensland website.

Summary Table

Visa Type	Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional – Provisional)
Program Name	Small Business Owner Stream
Who Can Apply	Migrants running a small business in regional Queensland
Main Benefit	Pathway to PR after 3 years
Streams Available	Pathway 1 (Buy business) & Pathway 2 (Start new business)
Status for FY2024–25	Program closed for new applicants (assessment ongoing for submitted apps)

Final Word

If you’re a migrant entrepreneur making a difference in regional Queensland, this pathway is built for you. Keep your documents ready, follow the updates, and when the program reopens — step in with confidence.

Your business could be the bridge to your Australian permanent residency dream.

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