Australia’s Business and Investment visa program is designed to attract successful business owners, entrepreneurs, and investors who wish to establish, manage, or invest in businesses in Australia. These visas provide temporary and permanent residency pathways and are administered by the Department of Home Affairs in partnership with State and Territory governments.
The Subclass 188 visa is a temporary visa for individuals with business skills or investment experience who want to operate a business or invest in Australia. It is typically a pathway to permanent residency under Subclass 888.
• For experienced business owners
• Requires ownership and management of a successful business
• Nomination by a State or Territory government
• Points-tested stream
• Requires a designated investment in an Australian state or territory
• Demonstrated successful investment history
• Points-tested
• Investment of at least AUD 5 million in complying Australian investments
• No age limit
• No points test requirement
• For individuals with funding agreements to undertake a compliant entrepreneurial activity
• Must demonstrate innovative business proposal
The Subclass 888 visa is the permanent stage of the Business Innovation and Investment program. Applicants must have held a Subclass 188 visa and met the required business or investment criteria.
Key Features:
• Permanent residency
• Continue business or investment activities
• Access to Medicare
• Pathway to Australian citizenship (if eligible)
The Subclass 858 visa is a permanent visa designed to attract exceptionally talented individuals with an internationally recognised record of achievement in fields such as:
• Business and investment
• Research and academia
• Arts and sports
• Technology and innovation
Applicants must be nominated by an Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible New Zealand citizen, or Australian organisation.
Although requirements vary by stream, common criteria include:
• State or Territory nomination
• Demonstrated business or investment success
• Net personal and business assets meeting threshold requirements
• Commitment to operate or invest in Australia
• Health and character requirements
• Establish or expand business operations in Australia
• Access to a stable economy and global markets
• Permanent residency pathways
• Ability to include family members
• Access to education and healthcare systems
• Potential pathway to Australian citizenship
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