🇦🇺 Australia · Business / Investor
Subclass 188 — Business Innovation & Investment (Provisional)
Provisional visa for business owners and investors with significant capital, nominated by a state or territory. Streams include Business Innovation (own/manage a business), Investor (AUD 1.5M+), Significant Investor (AUD 5M+), and Entrepreneur. Leads to permanent residence via Subclass 888.
- Scoring
- Investment-based
- Timeline
- 6mo–1yr
- Est. cost
- $15K
- Category
- Business / Investor
Ready when you are
Find your immigration path.
Pick where you're headed. We score you against every visa we cover in that country.
1 of 4 selected.
Show me my matches, free→Key requirements
- State or territory government nomination
- Significant capital: minimum AUD 1.25M (Business Innovation stream) to AUD 5M+ (Significant Investor)
- Demonstrated successful business or investment history
- Points test for some streams (Business Innovation)
Who this visa fits
Subclass 188 is for genuine business owners and investors — not passive capital holders. The capital thresholds are significant: AUD 1.25M for Business Innovation, AUD 1.5M for Investor, AUD 5M for Significant Investor. The intake's '150k+' band is a coarse proxy; always surface the real AU thresholds in the narrative and advise the candidate to verify their actual net assets and liquid capital. State nomination is mandatory and competitive — states actively recruit 188 applicants with strong business credentials and capital. The Significant Investor stream (AUD 5M in complying investments) has no age limit, no points test, and no business experience requirement, making it the most accessible for very high net worth individuals even without an operational business background.
Other Australia visas
Permanent Residency
Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent
Points-tested permanent residence visa for skilled workers. No employer sponsor or state nomination required — candidates lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect and receive an Invitation to Apply based on their points score. Nomination-free, globally competitive.
Permanent Residency
Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated
Points-tested permanent residence visa requiring a nomination from an Australian state or territory government. State nomination adds 5 points to your score; each state publishes its own occupation lists and requirements for nomination.
Permanent Residency
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)
Five-year provisional visa for skilled workers nominated by a state/territory to live and work in a regional area of Australia. Regional nomination adds 15 points — significantly boosting scores. After 3 years of regional residence and work, eligible to apply for permanent residence via Subclass 191.
Work Visa
Subclass 482 — Temporary Skill Shortage
Employer-sponsored temporary work visa allowing Australian businesses to fill skills gaps with overseas workers. Streams: Short-term (2 years, limited renewal), Medium-term (4 years, pathway to PR), and Labour Agreement (negotiated with Home Affairs). Most professional roles fall under the Medium-term stream.
Permanent Residency
Subclass 186 — Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)
Permanent residence visa for skilled workers nominated by an approved Australian employer. Three streams: Direct Entry (skills assessment + experience), Temporary Residence Transition (3 years on 482 with same employer), and Agreement stream (Labour Agreement). Leads directly to permanent residence.
Permanent Residency
Subclass 124 — Distinguished Talent
Permanent residence visa for individuals with an internationally recognised and distinguished record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in their field. No employer sponsor or state nomination required. Covers arts, sport, academia, and the professions. A recommending organisation provides the mandatory recommendation.
Ready when you are
Find your immigration path.
Pick where you're headed. We score you against every visa we cover in that country.
1 of 4 selected.
Show me my matches, free→