188B - Business Investment

Business Investment Visa (188B)

188B visa is only available to applicants who are nominated by an Australian State or Territory government. This is a 5-year temporary visa, for people who want to make a designated investment in an Australian state or territory. After maintained an investment in Australian for 4 years, the applicant can apply for permanent residence through the Business Innovation & Investment (Residence) Subclass 888 visa.The applicants can either be in Australia or overseas to lodge this visa. If the applicant is in Australia; he/she must hold a Substantive Visa or a Bridging A, B or C visa. Applicant must reside for at least 2 years in the nominating State.
The Business Innovation and Investment visa program (BIIP) will cease, with refunds of the visa application charge provided from September 2024 for those who wish to withdraw their BIIP application.

188B The Investor Stream

General Requirements:
  • The applicant has had business and personal net assets of at least AUD 2.5 million for the last 2 fiscal years
  • Under 55 years of age, unless the nominating state or territory certifies that the applicant will make an exceptional economic benefit; and
  • The applicant must make a complying investment
  • Have 3 years of experience either managing a qualifying business or “eligible investments”, and have showed a high level of management skill
  • For at least 1 of the 5 fiscal years, you have either:
    • Managed a business in which you hold a 10% shareholding; or
    • Manage “eligible investments” of at least AUD 1.5 million
    • Eligible investments include:
      • Ownership interests in a business
      • Cash on deposit
      • Stocks or bonds
      • Real estate
      • Gold or bullion
      • Loan to a business
Subclass 888 VISA Requirements::  

The applicant has been in Australia on subclass 188A VISA for at least 2 years, within the 4 years prior to lodgement and has maintained the investment in Australia State or Territory bonds for the last 4 years


Note that business migration can be extremely complex, and even determining whether you have a good chance of qualifying can be difficult. In addition, you may be able to qualify in a number of different business migration categories.