888 Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) (subclass 888) visa – Business Innovation stream

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Subclass 888 Business Innovation stream
Stay	Permanent
Purpose	Continue Australian business activities
Cost	From amount not stated
Second instalment	AUD4,890, if required
Eligibility timing	Varies by previous visa
Work rights	Work in Australia
Study	Study in Australia
Medicare	Eligible to enrol
Travel facility	Multiple travel for 5 years
Citizenship	May apply, if eligible
Family sponsorship	Sponsor relatives
Family inclusion	Before decision only
Visa record	Digital; linked to passport
Application location	In or outside Australia
Nomination	Current state or territory nomination
Processing time	Use processing time guide

---

Purpose

The Business Innovation stream of the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888) lets eligible holders of specified provisional, Special Category, or—in certain cases—subclass 457 visas live in Australia permanently and continue business activities.

Eligibility

You must meet all applicable requirements.

Previous visa and holding period

You must generally be the primary holder of one of the following:

• Subclass 188 Business Innovation stream
• Subclass 188 Business Innovation Extension stream
• Subclass 444 Special Category visa
• In certain cases, a subclass 457 visa

If you were invited to apply for the subclass 188 Business Innovation stream on or after 1 July 2021, you must have held it for at least 3 years. The same 3-year requirement applies to subclass 444 visas granted on or after that date.

Secondary holders of a subclass 188 visa may apply if their spouse or de facto partner is the primary holder in the Business Innovation or Business Innovation Extension stream. A 3-year holding period applies where the primary holder was invited on or after 1 July 2021.

COVID-19 concessions may apply to certain holders whose visas expired during the COVID-19 concession period.

State or territory nomination

You must have a current nomination from an Australian state or territory government agency. You do not need to submit a new expression of interest, but the nominating jurisdiction must confirm the nomination remains current.

Business ownership and management

For the 2 years immediately before applying, you must have:

• Owned, and continue to own, up to two main Australian businesses
• Had a direct and continuous management role
• Held an ABN for each main business
• Submitted Business Activity Statements to the ATO

For the 24 months immediately before applying, you must own at least:

• 51% of a business with annual turnover below AUD400,000
• 30% of a business with annual turnover of AUD400,000 or more
• 10% of a publicly listed company-operated business

If you acquired the business from a holder or applicant of certain permanent business visas, you must have co-owned it with that person for at least one year before applying.

Turnover

Your main business or businesses must have had annual turnover of at least AUD300,000 in the 12 months immediately before application.

The nominating state or territory may waive this requirement in exceptional circumstances.

Assets or employees

For the 12 months immediately before applying, you or your partner must meet at least 2 of these requirements:

• Net business assets in Australia of at least AUD200,000
• Net personal and business assets in Australia of at least AUD600,000
• At least two full-time equivalent eligible employees

Eligible employees must work in the main business, not be family members, and be Australian citizens, permanent residents, or valid New Zealand passport holders.

The nominating state or territory may waive this requirement in exceptional circumstances.

Residence requirement

Unless COVID-19 concessions apply, you must have been physically present in Australia for at least:

• 1 year in the 2 years immediately before applying, if invited or granted the relevant visa before 1 July 2021
• 1 year in the 3 years immediately before applying, if invited or granted the relevant visa on or after 1 July 2021

For eligible subclass 188 Business Innovation or Extension stream holders outside Australia during the COVID-19 concession period, time overseas may count as time in Australia.

Other requirements

You and your partner must:

• Have complied with Australian taxation, superannuation and workplace laws
• Not have undertaken unacceptable business or investment activities
• Have a realistic commitment to continue Australian business and investment activities
• Meet health and character requirements
• Have no outstanding Australian Government debt, or an approved repayment arrangement
• Not be affected by visa cancellation or refusal limitations

Applicants aged 18 or over must sign the Australian Values Statement when the application is decided.

Rights and Conditions

Permanent residence

This is a permanent visa. For citizenship purposes, permanent residence starts:

• On visa grant, if you are in Australia
• On first entry, if outside Australia at grant

Work, study and services

You can:

• Work and study in Australia
• Attend free Adult Migrant English Program classes, if eligible
• Enrol in Medicare
• Sponsor eligible relatives
• Apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible

Newly arrived residents may need to wait before accessing some government payments and benefits.

Business obligation

You are expected to continue business and investment activities in Australia in accordance with the intentions stated in your application.

You and your family members must obey Australian laws and comply with visa conditions.

Family Members

You can include family members when applying or add them before a decision is made.

Family members must meet health and character requirements. Non-migrating family members may also need to meet these requirements.

After visa grant, you cannot add family members. A relative wishing to join you later must apply for an appropriate separate visa.

Dependent children

For a dependent child under 18, provide identity, relationship and, where required, parental consent evidence.

A child over 18 who does not already hold a subclass 188 visa as a family member must generally be:

• Under 23 and dependent on you or your partner; or
• Aged 23 or over, dependent due to physical or cognitive limitations

A child who turns 18 or 23 during processing must continue to meet the applicable dependency requirements.

Cost

The main application charge is stated as “From”, but the amount is not provided in the source. Charges also apply for family members.

A second instalment of AUD4,890 may be required for applicants aged 18 or over who did not pay it at the provisional visa stage and cannot show functional English. Do not pay this charge unless requested.

You may also need to pay for health examinations, police certificates and biometrics.

From 1 July 2026, eligible citizens of specified Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste may receive a lower visa application charge. Eligibility is determined using the primary applicant’s valid passport.

Documents

Provide clear colour scans or photographs of documents. Non-English documents must be translated into English and submitted with the originals. Certification is not required.

Key evidence includes:

• Current passport identity pages and any national identity card
• Name-change, marriage, divorce, separation or death documents, where applicable
• Completed Form 1414 Nomination – Business Skills class
• One-page summary of Australian business activities
• One-page summary of long-term Australian business intentions
• Written declaration of compliance with Australian laws, including any breaches
• Business ownership, acquisition and shareholding evidence
• Evidence of two years’ day-to-day business management
• Organisational charts, staff rosters and business activity descriptions
• ABNs, BAS, tax returns and financial statements
• Employee records, where relying on employees
• Asset, liability, property, loan, bank, trust, share and valuation evidence
• Form 80 and police certificates for applicants aged 16 or over
• Military service records, if applicable
• Functional English evidence, if required
• Relationship and dependency documents for included family members
• Form 1229 or other parental responsibility evidence for children under 18

Police certificates are required from every country where an applicant aged 16 or over spent a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years.

How to Apply

1. Confirm your state or territory nomination is current.
2. Ensure you and included family members hold valid passports or travel documents.
3. Gather required identity, business, financial, health, character and family evidence.
4. Complete Form 1414 with the nominating state or territory.
5. Apply online through ImmiAccount.
6. Attach documents and pay the correct application charge.
7. Keep the transaction reference number (TRN).
8. Respond promptly to requests for further information, health examinations, biometrics or the second instalment.

You can be in or outside Australia when applying and when a decision is made, but not in immigration clearance.

After Applying

Check ImmiAccount for requests and status updates. Tell the Department promptly about changes to contact details, passport, relationship status, birth of a child, or an application withdrawal.

If you are in Australia, remain lawful by holding a valid visa. A Bridging Visa A may begin when your current visa expires. It ceases if you leave Australia; you need a Bridging Visa B or another visa to return.

Do not cancel your current visa, as this may leave you unlawful and ineligible for a Bridging Visa A.

Health examination results are generally valid for 12 months. Do not undertake new examinations unless asked.

Travel

You may travel in and out of Australia as often as you wish for 5 years from visa grant, while the travel facility remains valid.

After the initial five-year travel facility expires, obtain a Resident Return visa before returning as a permanent resident, unless you become an Australian citizen.

Use VEVO to check travel facility validity and visa conditions. Australian visas are digital and linked to your passport; no visa label is placed in the passport.

Important Warnings

• The Department will not process the application until the correct charge is paid.
• An application charge is not refunded if the visa is refused.
• You must prove identity and provide true information.
• Family members cannot be added after visa grant.
• If granted while outside Australia, you and family members must enter Australia by the date specified by the Department.
• Included family members may be restricted from marrying or entering a de facto relationship before first entry, if the Department advises this applies.