Why applying for a 188 visa in Australia?
The Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) under the Business Innovation stream is designed for individuals with business acumen seeking to establish or manage businesses in Australia. This provisional visa allows holders to operate either a new venture or an existing enterprise within the country. Successful applicants can reside in Australia for a maximum of five years, during which they have the opportunity to bring eligible family members along. Moreover, this visa pathway serves as a precursor to applying for permanent residency through the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888), provided specific criteria are fulfilled.
Cost overview
This visa costs from AUD9,450.00 for the main applicant.
There is also a charge for each family member who applies for the visa with you:
- additional applicant over 18 years old: AUD4,725.00
- additional applicant under 18 years old: AUD2,365.00
Any applicant 18 years old or older who has less than functional English must also pay an extra charge. This charge is the second installment charge. Pay it only when we ask you to. We will refund the charge if we do not grant you the visa.
The second installment charges are:
- main applicant: AUD9,795
- family members: AUD4,890
To determine the exact cost of your visa, you can use the Visa Pricing Estimator. The estimator does not take into account the second installment or other costs. You might also have to pay other costs for health checks, police certificates, and biometrics.
Visa processing times
Visa processing times may vary depending on various factors such as the completeness of the application, the number of applications received, and the complexity of individual cases. You can check visa processing times on the official website of the Department of Home Affairs Australia using the following link: Visa Processing Times.
Duration of your stay
This is a provisional visa, allowing a stay of up to 5 years if invited to apply on or after 1 July 2021. For those invited to apply between 1 July 2015 and 1 July 2021, the stay duration is up to 4 years and 3 months. Applicants invited before 1 July 2015 can stay up to 4 years. The visa permits multiple entries, enabling holders to leave and re-enter Australia as needed while valid. The visa period begins on the grant date.
Our team at Luminedge Legal Group is here to guide you every step of the way. Book a meeting today with one of our lawyers. And discover more about your visa options and Immigration success
Include family members
You can include your dependent child or children in your application before we make a decision. They must meet our health and character requirements, if applicable. If the spouse or de facto partner of the main applicant didn’t apply initially with the subclass 188 visa, they can apply as a subsequent entrant. However, a subclass 188 visa can only be granted to a subsequent entrant after the main applicant’s subclass 188 visa is granted.
Complete the online ‘Application for a Business Innovation and Investment (Subsequent Entrant) Visa’ form in Immi Account. An application charge applies.
For the primary applicant to be granted the visa, family members not joining in Australia must meet our character requirements and may need to meet health requirements.
Your obligations
You and your family members who are part of your application must comply with all visa conditions and Australian laws.
Learn more about conditions for this visa.
You must also meet certain business obligations and obey Australian workplace laws.
Travel
While your visa is valid, you have the freedom to travel outside Australia and return as frequently as you wish. It’s important to note that the duration of your time spent outside Australia does not affect the validity of your visa.
Meet your business obligations
While holding this visa, you must meet certain business obligations:
Have a substantial ownership interest in a business in Australia.
Take part in the day-to-day management of the business at a senior level.
Additionally, within the business, you must engage in at least one of the following activities:
Contribute to commercial activity and competitiveness within the Australian economy.
Develop business links with international markets.
Employ individuals in Australia.
Export Australian goods.
Introduce new or improved technology.
Produce goods or services that Australia would otherwise import.
Visa label
Your visa will be digitally linked to your passport. You will not receive a physical label in your passport.