The Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) Visa in the Business Innovation Stream (Subclass 188A) is a provisional visa for skilled business individuals, allowing them to operate a new or existing business in Australia for up to 5 years. One can apply for the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) Visa in the Business Innovation stream (Subclass 888), provided specific criteria are met.

Benefits of Subclass 188A

The benefits of the Business Innovation Stream (Subclass 188A) Visa include the ability to:

•  Stay in Australia for up to 5 years
• Bring along eligible family members to Australia
• Operate an entirely new or previously existing business in Australia
• Apply for the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) Visa in the Business Innovation stream (Subclass 888), if eligible

Eligibility

To be able to apply for Subclass 188A (Business Innovation Stream) Visa, individuals must meet the following requirements:

Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and be nominated by an Australian State or Territory government agency

Be invited to apply

Have had ownership stake in one or two businesses for the 2 out of 4 fiscal years immediately before receiving an Invitation to Apply

•  Own business and personal assets
•  Score at least 65 points
•  Have functional English
•  Be under 55 years old
• Have a successful business career and a genuine desire to continue to own and manage business in Australia
•  Have no involvement in unacceptable activities
•  Meet the health requirements
•  Meet the character requirements

Location when Applying

The individual can be in or outside Australia when applying for the visa and when the decision is being made.

Including Family

Dependent children can be added to the visa application and must meet health and character requirements.

The main applicant’s spouse or de facto partner may submit a subsequent entrant application if they did not file a combined application when the subclass 188 visa was first filed. Only after the main applicant’s subclass 188 visa has been granted may a later entrant be awarded a subclass 188 visa.

Family members who are not travelling to Australia must fulfil character requirements and may also need to meet health requirements for the principal applicant to be granted the visa.

Read more about Subclass 188A (Business Innovation Stream) Provisional Visa.