188/888 Business Innovation and Investment Visas


If you are a successful business owner or entrepreneur looking to establish a new or develop an existing business and investments in Australia, then there may be several Business Visas to Australia available for you.

The Business Innovation and Investment (Subclass 188 Visa) is a temporary visa that can lead to permanent residency following the completion of a qualifying period. Importantly, the 188 Visa has three (3) available streams, one for significant investors looking to invest $5 million (AUD) into a complying investment; a second for investors able to make a $1.5 million (AUD) designated investment in a State/Territory; and a third stream for existing business owners who have a genuine desire to own and maintain a management role in an Australian business as well as meet strict asset and financial requirements. Importantly, the 188 is a points test based visa with applicants also having to satisfy the following criteria:

1.     Be State/Territory Sponsored

2.     Submit and Expression of Interest to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection

3.     Meet a Business Points Test

4.     Satisfy the Health Criteria

5.     Satisfy the Character Requirements

Business Innovation Stream
Applicants applying under the Business Innovation Stream of the Business Innovation Visa must be able to demonstrate:

1.     Be under the age of 55 unless waived

2.     Meets a Business Points Test

3.     A successful overall business career

4.     Net business and personal assets of $800,000 (AUD)

5.     Annual turnover of $500,000(AUD) for at least 2 of the last 4 fiscal years in the applicants business

6.     A genuine commitment to establish or participate in an existing business in Australia

7.     A realistic commitment to maintain a substantial ownership share in an Australian business and will maintain a direct and continuous involvement in the business

Investor Stream
Applicants applying under the Investor Stream of the Business Innovation Visa must be able to demonstrate:

1.     Be under the age of 55 unless waived

2.     Meets a Business Points Test

3.     A successful overall investment or business career

4.     Net business and personal assets of $2.25 million (AUD)

5.     Make a Designated Investment of $1.5 million

6.     A genuine commitment to maintain business or investment in Australia.

Significant Investor Stream
Applicants applying under the Significant Investor Stream of the Business Innovation Visa must be able to demonstrate:

1.     Make a complying investment of $5 million with the intention of maintaining the investment for four years.

Transition into Permanent Residency
The Business Innovation and Investment (Subclass 888) is the permanent visa that Subclass 188 visa holders can qualify for if they have maintained their investment or management role in their Australian business operations. Depending on the stream in which the 188 was approved, will determine the specific requirements for applicants looking to transition from their temporary 188 to the permanent 888.