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Business Innovation Stream (Subclass 188A)

This visa is one of the four major categories of Australia's Business Innovation Stream 188 Series. 188A aims to attract outstanding overseas business owners to establish businesses in Australia, attract overseas investment, and create local employment. This visa is mainly for the following groups: 1. Business owners with over two years of experience; 2. Corporate shareholders and managers. 188A visa is a temporary residence visa. Applicants must meet certain conditions to apply for a permanent residence visa. From July 2021, the government extended the visa's validity period from 4 years to 5 years. After obtaining the visa, the applicant shall complete business investment in Australia within the prescribed time limit and participate in actual business management. After meeting the requirements of the DHA, applicants can apply for an 888A permanent residence visa (PR) as soon as three years from the date of 188A approval.

advantageS

  • No English requirement (except Victoria)
  • No academic requirements (except Victoria)
  • The spouse and children under the age of 23 can apply for the visa together with the main applicant
  • Investment does not have to happen until after 188A visa approval (from AU$200,000)
  • Direct investment, operate own business in Australia hence low investment risk
  • Children can enjoy 13 years of free public system education in Australia
  • The 188A visa holder can travel to and from Australia freely by a valid visa, and there is no residence requirement for the subsequent applicant, such as spouse and children
  • The subsequent 188A visa applicant (Spouse) to the application can become the main applicant for the second stage 888A visa application, which allows the 188A main applicant to continue their business management offshore.
  • Pathway to permanent residency, i.e. 888A

Eligibility

  • Be under 55, or grant the age exemption from a State/Territory;
  • EOI scores at least 65 on the points test
  • Have business ownership
for 2 out of 4 fiscal years immediately before you submit your application to a State/Territory, you must have had an ownership stake in 1 or 2 businesses that had at least:
  • Percentage of Business Ownership
  • 51% - if the business has a turnover of less than AU$400,000 per year;
  • 30% - if the business has a turnover of AU$400,000 or more per year, or;
  • 10% - if a publicly listed company operates the business.
  • Business Turnover ( allowed a maximum of 2 businesses under the applicant to add up)
  • AU$750,000 turnover in each of those 2 years if you were invited to apply before 1 July 2021
  • AU$750,000 turnover in each of those 2 years if you were invited to apply o or after 1 July 2021
  • Personal and business Assets
When you are invited to apply for this visa, you, your partner, or you and your partner combined must have total net business and personal assets of at least:
  • AU$1,250,000 if you were invited to apply on or after 1 July 2021
  • AU$800,000 if you were invited to apply before 1 July 2021.
Your funds must be available to transfer to Australia within 2 years of granting the visa.
  • Have a successful business career and a genuine desire to own and manage a business in Australia continuously;
  • Meet Health and Character requirement;
  • Meet State/Territory's requirements:

  • New South Wealth

    • Personal Background
    • Must be under 50 years of age,
    • Have a bachelor's degree recognised as equivalent to the Australian standard, or
    • Three years of business experience in a NSW target sector, or
    • Five years of business experience in a non-target sector.
    NSW Target Sector
    • Advanced manufacturing
    • Food and beverage manufacturing
    • Agricultural technology
    • Aerospace and defence
    • Renewable energy and sustainability
    • Emerging digital technology
    • Cyber security
    • Medtech
    Regional NSW Target Sector
    Regional NSW target sectors include those for Sydney in addition to:
    • Technology-enable primary industries
    • Critical minerals
    • Recycling and waste management
    • Family & Business Assets:
    • Overseas Business Turnover
    • Great Sydney: AU$1,750,000
    • Regional Area: AU$1,250,000
    • Great Sydney: AU$1,250,000
    • Regional Area: AU$750,000
    • EOI Points test
    • EOI scores at least 65 on the points test
    • Applications showing the following will be prioritised:
    • 15 points for business experience, or
    • Points for business innovation qualifications.
    • Business Investment
    • Great Sydney: AU$500,000
    • Regional Area: AU$300,000

  • Victory

    • Personal Background
    • be under 55 years of age,
    • have Vocational English
    Test
    Score
    IELTS (Academic or General Training)
    At least 5 for each of the 4 test components
    TOEFL iBT
    At least 4 for listening, 4 for reading, 14 for writing and 14 for speaking
    PTE Academic
    At least 36 for each of 4 test components
    OET
    At least B for each of the 4 test components
    Cambridge C1 Advanced test
    At least 154 in each of the 4 test components
    • have a STEMM qualification or an MBA or relevant business history in a target sector, or
    • have at least 3 years of experience operating a business in a target sector in Victoria, or equivalent overseas sector.
    Target Sectors
    • Health, medical research, and life sciences
    • Advanced manufacturing
    • Digital
    • New Energy, emissions reduction and circular economy
    • Agri-food

  • Queensland

    • About the Business and Assets
    • Must demonstrate a genuine commitment to Queensland
    • Must have net business and personal assets of at least AU$1,250,000 ready to be transferred to Queensland after the visa grant
    • Must have net business and personal assets of at least AU$1,250,000 ready to be transferred to Queensland after the visa grant
    • Business Investment:
    • Great Brisbane and Gold Coast regions - at least AU$400,000, or
    • Regional Queensland - at least AU$300,000
    • Additional Requirements
    • Export business must develop international markets for Queensland products
    • General importing business will not be acceptable unless the imported products are highly innovative, advanced in technology, or currently unavailable in Queensland. You should also provide value-adding service to the imported products such as customised design, product assembly installation, testing, repair, maintenance, etc.
    • Property Development business will not be accepted.

  • South Australia

    • Personal Requirement
    • Intend to live in SA
    • Applicants aged 55 years or over at the time of invitation must demonstrate that the proposal will be of exceptional economic benefit to South Australia by meeting a higher investment threshold.
    • Applicants who have between 55 and 65 points can apply for exceptional circumstances for the additional 10 points from the South Australian Government. Priority will be given to investment proposals to be undertaken in South Australia. These applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
    • Business Investment
    Business or Investment Activity
    Under 55 years of Age
    55 years of age or older
    Investment into a business & 2 FTE employees
    AU$300,000
    AU$600,000
    Property development
    - AU$1,500,000 (Metropolitan Adelaide) - AU$1,200,000 (Retional SA)
    - AU$2,000,000 (Metropolitan Adelaide) - AU$1,500,000 (Regional SA)
    Export (purchase value)
    AU$750,000 - AU$1,250,000
    AU$1,500,000 - AU$2,500,000

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