Program Description: The Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) is a provisional visa for people with business skills, investors, or entrepreneurs who want to own and manage a business or conduct investment activity in Australia.

Visa Duration: The Entrepreneur stream allows holders to stay in Australia for up to 4 years and 3 months while carrying out entrepreneurial activities. (Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/business-innovation-and-investment-188/entrepreneur-stream)

Program Structure: The visa includes several streams such as Business Innovation, Investor, Significant Investor, Premium Investor, and Entrepreneur streams with different financial and eligibility requirements.

Investment Requirement: Investment requirements vary by stream, including at least AUD 2.5 million for the Investor stream and at least AUD 5 million for the Significant Investor stream. (Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/business-innovation-and-investment-188/investor-stream; https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/business-innovation-and-investment-188/significant-investor-stream)

Application Process: Applicants must submit an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect and receive nomination by a state or territory government or Austrade before applying for the visa.

Dependents: Eligible family members can be included in the visa application and may live, work, and study in Australia.

Program Status: The Business Innovation and Investment visa program has been closed to new applicants under migration program changes, but existing visa holders may continue under extension streams or transition to permanent residence visas. (Source: https://www.migration.sa.gov.au/visa-options/business-and-investment-visas/business-innovation-and-investment-provisional-visa)

Last Verified: March 2026