Business, Investment & Entrepreneur Visas

Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) (subclass 188) visa

The Business Innovation and Investment (provisional) (subclass 188) visa allows business owners, investors, and entrepreneurs to own and manage a business and conduct business and investment activity or entrepreneurial activity in Australia.

This is a temporary visa valid for up to 4 years and 3 months, and visa holders will be eligible for permanent residency through the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888) if certain requirements are met after 3 years.

This visa consists of five streams:

Business Innovation stream
Investor stream
Significant Investor stream
Entrepreneur stream

The Subclass 188 visa program consists of three stages:

Submit Expression of Interest
Be invited/nominated by the state or territory government (or Austrade)
Submit the visa application

Business Innovation stream (188A)

This visa stream is for those individuals with a business ownership background who would like to establish a new or operate an existing business in Australia. This visa is only available for applicants nominated by an Australian State or Territory and meets the points test for the visa.

The visa applicant must:

Be nominated by an Australian State or Territory government agency
- They must meet any individual requirements set by the Australian State or Territory government agency for which they are seeking nomination
Be invited to apply for this visa
Score at least 65 points on the points test
Be under 55 years of age at the time of applying
Have ownership of 1 or 2 businesses with a turnover of at least AUD750,000 for at least 2 of the last 4 fiscal years immediately before you receive an invitation to apply
Own at least:
- 51% of the total value of the business if the business has a turnover of less than AUD400,000 per year
- 30% of the total value of the business if the business has a turnover of AUD400,000 or more per year, or
- 10% of the total value of the business if the business is operated by a publicly listed company
Have total net business and personal assets of at least AUD1.25 million, which is available to transfer to Australia within 2 years of the visa grant
Have a successful business career
Have a genuine intention to own and manage a business in Australia
Have at least Functional English or pay the second VAC
Meet the health and character requirements

Investor stream (188B)

This visa stream is for individuals with experience in managing businesses or investments who want to invest in Australia. The visa requires a designated investment of at least AUD2.5 million in Australian State or Territory Government bonds. To be eligible for a 188B visa, you must first be nominated by an Australian State or Territory government.

The visa applicant must:

Make an investment of AUD2.5 million in Australian State or Territory Government bonds prior to the visa being granted
Be nominated by an Australian State or Territory government agency
- They must meet any individual requirements set by the Australian State or Territory government agency for which they are seeking nomination
Be invited to apply for this visa
Score at least 65 points on the points test
Be under 55 years of age at the time of applying
Have managed qualifying business or eligible investments for at least 1 of the 5 fiscal years immediately before you receive an invitation to apply for the visa:
- Directly managed a business in which you hold a 10% ownership interest, or
- Directly managed “eligible investments” of at least AUD2.5 million
Have business and personal assets for the 2 fiscal years immediately before you receive an invitation to apply for the visa, with a net value of at least AUD2. 5 million which is available to transfer to Australia within 2 years of the visa being granted
Have at least 3 years’ experience managing one or more qualifying businesses or eligible investments
Have a successful record of eligible or business activity
Have demonstrated a high level of management in relation to the investment or business activity
Have a genuine intention to live for at least 2 years in the State or Territory in which you have made the investment application
Have at least Functional English or pay the second VAC
Meet the health and character requirements

Significant Investor stream (188C)

This visa stream is for individuals with experience in managing businesses or investments who want to invest in Australia. This requires an investment of AUD5 million in Australian investments that meet certain requirements and maintain investment activity in Australia.

The visa applicant must:

Be willing to invest AUD5 million into complying investments for the duration of the visa, in the following proportions:
- At least AUD1 million in venture capital and growth private equity funds which invest in start-ups and small private companies
- At least AUD1.5 million in approved managed funds. The managed funds must invest in emerging companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange
- A ‘balancing investment’ of at least AUD2.5 million in managed funds
Be nominated by an Australian State or Territory government agency or Austrade
- They must meet any individual requirements set by the Australian State or Territory government agency for which they are seeking nomination
Be invited to apply for this visa
Have legally acquired, unencumbered net assets of at least AUD5 million to make the complying significant investment in Australia
Have a genuine intention to hold the complying investment for at least 4 years
Have at least Functional English or pay the second VAC
Meet the health and character requirements

Entrepreneur stream (188E)

This visa stream is for startup and early entrepreneurs who have been endorsed to develop their concepts and have been nominated by a State or Territory government agency.

The visa applicant must:

Be nominated by a State or Territory government agency
Be invited to apply for the visa
Have a complying entrepreneur activity in Australia and have a genuine intention to continue this activity
Be endorsed by the nominating State or Territory government agency to develop your entrepreneurial concepts
Present a business plan of the entrepreneurial entity showing how the innovative idea will lead to produce or service being commercialised in Australia, or lead to the development of a business or enterprise in Australia
Be under 55 years of age unless your proposed entrepreneur activity will be of exceptional economic benefit
Have Competent English
Meeting the health and character requirements

Migration Affairs can assist business people, entrepreneurs and investors in identify and applying apply for the most appropriate visa based on their intended activities and personal circumstances. Applying for an Australian Business visa can be complex and constantly changing, and our dedicated team of experts make the process easy

Investing your capital or running a business in a new country is an important step and at Migration Affairs we know how important it is for you to understand the details and requirements for these visas. Talk to us about available options.

FAQs

How many streams are there for the subclass 188 visa?

There are currently 5 streams of business visas which include the following:

Business Innovation Stream
Investor Stream
Significant Investor Stream
Premium Investor Stream
Entrepreneur Stream

However, from 1 July 2021, the Premium Investor Stream will be closed to new applications. Talk to us at Migration Affairs and find out how we can assist you.

Is there an English language requirement for the subclass 188 visa?

Yes, applicants are required to meet the relevant English language requirements.

The business innovation stream, investor stream, significant investor stream and premium investor stream require you to show at least ‘Functional English’. If you cannot show functional english, you will need to pay an additional fee.

The entrepreneur stream requires you to show ‘Competent English’.

Talk to us at Migration Affairs and find out how we can assist you.

Can I extend my subclass 188 visa (Business Innovation stream)?

The Business Innovation Extension Stream is available to extend your visa for an additional 2 years or 4 years if COVID-19 concessions apply.

Talk to us at Migration Affairs and find out how we can assist you.

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Business, Investment & Entrepreneur Visas

Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) (subclass 188) visa

Business Innovation stream (188A)

Investor stream (188B)

Significant Investor stream (188C)

Entrepreneur stream (188E)

FAQs

Seek expert guidance on Australian immigration queries; our trusted specialists are here for you every step of the way