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

Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) is a temporary visa allows the business owners or investors to establish or purchase an Australian Business or invest in Australia up to 5 years. To apply for this visa, you must submit an EOI through the SkillSelect system and be nominated by an Australian state or territory or Austrade on behalf of the Australian government.

This visa includes five streams:

  1. Business Innovation Stream is for people who own the business and want to establish, develop and manage a new or existing business in Australia and :
    • Age requirement: under 55 years old, unless the nominating state or territory certifies that you will make an exceptional economic benefit; and
    • Business turnover: Minimum AUD 750,000 for at least 2 of the last four fiscal years; and
    • ​Business Ownership: Have 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
    • Net personal and business assets: Minimum AUD 1,250,000; and
    • Point test: Meet the pass mark. Currently, 65, required to receive an invitation to lodge a Business Innovation visa 
  2. Investor Stream is for people who want to make an investment of at least AUD2.5million in an Australian state or territory and maintain business and investment activity in Australia. The applicant must hold complying significant investments continuously for the life of your provisional visa. and :
    • Age requirement: under 55 years old, unless the nominating state or territory certifies that you will make an exceptional economic benefit; and
    • Net personal and business assets: Minimum AUD 2.25 million for the last two fiscal years
    •  Management or investment experience: Minimum 3 years of experience in management of a qualifying business or eligible investment. Moreover, for at least 1 of the last five fiscal years, You or your partner or both must either :
      • Managed a business holding at least  10% shareholding; or 
      • Managed "eligible investments" of at least AUD 1.5 million
    • Point test: Meet the pass mark. Currently, 65, required to receive an invitation to lodge a Business Innovation visa
    • Investment:

      • If the applicant was invited to apply on or after 1 July 2021

        The applicant must make (on or after the time of application for this visa), a complying significant investment of at least AUD2.5 million. The applicant must hold complying significant investments continuously for the life of your provisional visa.

        It must be invested in the following proportions:

        The managed funds can invest in a range of assets, including companies listed on the Australian stock exchange, Australian corporate bonds or notes, annuities and commercial real estate.

        The Department prohibits direct investment in residential real estate. The Department has limited indirect investment in residential property through managed funds.

        The applicant must not use investments as security or collateral for a loan.

      1. a ‘balancing investment’ of at least AUD1.25 million in managed funds
      2. at least AUD750,000 in approved managed funds. The managed funds must invest in emerging companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange
      3. at least AUD500,000 in venture capital and growth private equity funds which invest in start-ups and small private companies

      • If the applicant was invited to apply on or after 1 July 2021

        1. The applicant must have a genuine intention to live for at least 2 years in the state or territory in which has been made the investment application
        2. AUD 1.5 million in Australian State or Territory bonds before granting of the visa. This investment must be in the applicant's name or in the name of his/her partner’s name. The investment must be made from unencumbered funds generated from qualifying businesses or eligible investments. 

​Including Family Members:

You can include the following family members in your application:

  1. Your partner
  2. Your dependent children or stepchildren

What this visa lets you do in Australia:

This visa is a temporary visa and allows you and any family member migrating with you to:

  1.  Stay in Australia for four years. However, you might be eligible to extend your visa for another two years.
  2. Study and work in Australia.
  3. Apply for permanent residency if you meet the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888) requirements.

How we can help you:

  1. Free initial assessment service.
  • You can use our online initial assessment tool to assess your eligibility for this visa.
  1. Consultation service
  •  If you would like detailed initial assessment or assistance with your current application or need professional advice, please book an appointment with one of our qualified consultants to provide you with verbal or written advice for your specific matter.
  1. Visa Service
  • We make your visa application process hassle-free. 
  • We advise you on strategies to maximise your application success.
  • We handle your EOI, Nomination and visa application.
  • We inform you of all required documents, check your documents and advise you if more supporting documents are needed.
  • We follow up your case and get your result with the least amount of stress for you.