Australia Business Immigration is predominantly channeled through subclass Business Talent (Permanent) visa subclass 132 and Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) Visa Subclass 188. Both visa pathways allows you to conduct business, start a new one, and run an existing business in Australia. Particularly, subclass 188 gives more possibilities to conduct a business and even perform investment activities in Australia.

Subclass 188 is a provisional visa which allows you to stay up to 4 years 3 months to pursue your entrepreneur dreams in Australia. After the visa validity and successful business venture in Australia, applicants can apply for Australia Permanent Residency Visa via Subclass 888 visa.

 What are the categories and eligibility requirements of subclass 188?

 Business Innovation stream

• For Australia Entrepreneur visa, you must be nominated by the Australian State or Territory Govt. agency
• You need to score minimum 65 on the Australia points Calculator based on your age, education qualifications, business management experience, English language ability, net personal and business assets, business turnover, business innovation and special endorsement
• For 2 out of 4 fiscal years prior to business visa, you must declare the business ownership stake in 1 or 2 businesses with minimum AUD500,000 turnover in each of those 2 years
• Must have total net business and personal assets of minimum AUD 800,000 (Self or with partner)
• Have functional proficiency of English Language Exam (IELTS 4.5 bands in each 4 components)

 Investor stream

• Must be nominated by the Australian State or Territory Govt. agency
• You need to score minimum 65 on the Australia points Calculator
• Must make the business investment of AUD 1.5 Million into your nominating state or territory
• You and your partner must have personal assets with a net value of minimum AUD 2.25 million
• Possess minimum 3 years of business management experience in one or more qualifying businesses
• Have functional proficiency of English Language Exam

Significant Investor stream

• Should be nominated by the Australian State or Territory Govt. agency
• Must make business investment of AUD 500,000 in venture capital and growth private equity funds
• Have functional language proficiency in English Language Exam

Premium Investor Stream

• Must be nominated by the Australian State or Territory Govt. agency
• Should submit the Expression of Interest with Austrade and then must have the Invitation to Apply for Australia Entrepreneur Business Visa
• Must make complying premium investment of minimum AUD 15 million and have the minimum net assets of minimum AUD 15 million

How to attain Australian Permanent Residency with subclass 188?

The Subclass 188 visa holders can apply for Australia Permanent Residency Permit with Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa Subclass 188 after meeting some of the requirements.

Business Innovation stream

• Must have a nomination from a state or territory government agency
• Prior to 2 years of 888 visa application, you must continue to have ownership interest in up to two main businesses and direct management role in that business.
• 24 months before you apply for 888 Australia Entrepreneur Visa, you need to have:
• 51% of total value of the business with turnover of less than AUD 400,000 per year, or
• 30% of total value of the business with a turnover of AUD 400,000 or more per year, or
• 10% of total value of the business that is operated by a publicly listed company of Australia
• Have an annual business turnover of AUD300,000

Investor stream

• Must have a nomination from a state or territory government agency
• You must have invested AUD 1.5 million in an Australian state or territory and maintain the investment for 4 years
• Meet the residency requirement of staying in Australia for minimum 2 of the 4 years before you apply.

Significant Investor stream

• Must have a nomination from a state or territory government agency
• You must have invested AUD 5 million in a complying investment and maintained it for 4 years
• Stay in Australia for minimum 2 of the 4 years before you apply for Entrepreneur Australia Immigration

Premium Investor stream

• Must have a nomination from a state or territory government agency
• You must have invested AUD 15 million and maintained it for continuous 4 years before you apply
• Stay in Australia for minimum 2 of the 4 years before you apply

For more information and guidance on Australia Business Immigration, you may contact us on 8595338595 or write us at [email protected]. Sign up for free Immigration counselling