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Australia · Business & self-employment

Australia Business Innovation stream (Subclass 188)

20 facts quoted from the official source

This provisional visa is for people with business skills. It lets you operate a new or existing business in Australia. This stream closed to new applications on 31 July 2024.

Route type
Business & self-employment
Can bring
partner
from the official record
Requirements
13
each quoted below
Who qualifies

Who this route is for

Every item below is the government’s own wording, quoted from the official source. Whether you personally qualify depends on your full profile.

13 requirements quoted from the official source.

The conditions that decide it
  • Australian Government Debt ClearedIf you owe the Australian Government money, you must have paid it back.
  • Australian Values Statement RequiredYou must sign a statement confirming you will respect the Australian way of life.
  • Be Under 55You will not receive an invitation if you are aged 55 or older at the time of the invitation.
  • Character and securityYou and family members aged 16 and over must meet the character requirement.
  • Eligibility summaryYou must score at least 65 points on the points test.
  • Have A Successful Business CareerYou must have a successful business career and a genuine desire to continuously own and manage a business in Australia.
  • Health RequirementYou and any family members must meet the health requirement.
  • Language requirementAll applicants aged 18 or over must have at least functional English or will be asked to pay an extra charge.
  • Net Business And Personal AssetsAUD1.25 million if invited after 1 July 2021; AUD800,000 if invited before 1 July 2021.checked 2026-07-26
  • Not Have A History Of Involvement In Unacceptable ActivitiesYou and your partner must have had no history of unacceptable business activities.
  • Not Have Had A Visa Cancelled Or A Previous Application RefusedYour immigration history will be considered.
  • Provide Proof Of Your Business SuccessEvidence can include annual turnover and ownership interest.
  • Score At Least 65 On The Points TestYou must score at least 65 points on the points test.
Also stated by the source
  • Official Rights TextWith this visa, you can operate a new or existing business in Australia, bring eligible members of your family with you, and apply for a permanent Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888) in the Business Innovation stream.
  • Official source basisYou must score at least 65 points on the points test.
  • Official StreamThe official page identifies the Business Innovation.
  • Report summaryYou must score at least 65 points on the points test.
  • Visa SubclassThe official page identifies this route as subclass 188.
Family

Who you can bring

partner
Costs & timelines

What the source prices

Fees
1 proven from the official source.
  • Official Cost TextFrom AUD12,505.00 (concessions apply in limited circumstances)checked 2026-07-26
Validity
1 proven from the official source.
  • Official Stay TextUp to 5 years.
How it works

From here to a yes

See if you qualify — freeThe 3-minute check scores your profile against every Australia route at once, this one included. No signup, no card.
Get your full report — €10One personalised report ranks every route you can actually get, with the full requirement set for your profile — so you apply for the right one.
Apply with the official sourceThe application itself always happens with the government — the enacting authority linked below. The report points you straight at it.
FAQ

Straight answers

01Who qualifies for the Subclass 188 to Australia?
The official source states: This provisional visa is for people with business skills. It lets you operate a new or existing business in Australia. This stream closed to new applications on 31 July 2024.
02Can I bring my family?
The official record lists: partner.

Every answer is quoted from the official immi.homeaffairs.gov.au page for this route, last read 2026-07-26.

We checked 20 points against the official source; 20 are quoted on this page. The other 0 are either not addressed by the source or not yet backed by a quote — we would rather show you the edge of the record than fill it with a plausible guess.

See the 0 open points

Processing time is not published in the official source for this route. We publish a number only when the official text states that number.

Not stated in the official source — the official source names no exclusion for this route.

The source

Where every quote comes from

Official government source immi.homeaffairs.gov.auLast read 2026-07-26 Every quote on this page is from this Australia government page.
Compiled from official sources · pending independent re-check · Last checked 2026-07-26 · Our methodology
 · Compiled by António Mira · How we verify · Not legal advice — rules change; confirm with the official source before deciding.
Same category, same country

Other business & self-employment routes to Australia

4 other business & self-employment routes to Australia.

Business Innovation Extension stream (Subclass 188)Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa - Business Innovation stream (Subclass 888)Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa - Entrepreneur stream (Subclass 888)Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa - Entrepreneur stream (Subclass 188)
Same category, elsewhere

Business & self-employment routes in other countries

163 other countries publish at least one business & self-employment route. Nearest first.

New Zealand9 business & self-employment routes Canada22 business & self-employment routes Rwanda12 business & self-employment routes Italy9 business & self-employment routes Romania8 business & self-employment routes France7 business & self-employment routes

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