Business and Investor Visas
Important: The Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) — the Subclass 188 in all of its streams, comprising Business Innovation, Investor, Significant Investor, Premium Investor and Entrepreneur — closed to new applications on 31 July 2024. The Subclass 132 Business Talent visa closed earlier, on 1 July 2021. Any website continuing to advertise these subclasses as available pathways is out of date.
This is stated plainly because a considerable volume of business migration advertising has not been updated, and prospective investors continue to be quoted for pathways that no longer exist. The pathways set out below are those genuinely available.
Pathways currently available
| Pathway | Suited to |
|---|---|
|
Subclass 858 – National Innovation Visa |
Founders, investors, researchers and exceptional professionals holding an internationally recognised record of outstanding achievement in a target sector. Grants permanent residence directly, with no provisional stage, no points test and no age limit. Invitation-only, following an Expression of Interest lodged in SkillSelect. |
| Subclass 888 | Existing Subclass 188 holders progressing to permanent residence under the rules of their original stream. The pathway remains fully operational. |
|
Subclass 482, 186 and 494 |
Business owners establishing or expanding an Australian operation with a genuine need for skilled staff. Sponsorship by a business in which the applicant holds an interest is possible but subject to close scrutiny: the position must be genuine and the business must be viable. |
|
General Skilled Migration (189, 190, 491) |
Business people whose occupation and qualifications support a points-tested application. This route is frequently overlooked by investors who assume that business migration is the only available course. |
|
Subclass 600 – Business Visitor stream |
Meetings, negotiations, site inspections and conferences preceding a longer-term decision. |
|
Subclass 400 and 403 |
Short-term specialised work and arrangements made under government agreements. |
An accurate assessment of the Subclass 858
The National Innovation Visa replaced both the Business Innovation and Investment Program and the Global Talent visa. It is not a like-for like replacement for the former investor streams. The Department’s formulation — an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement — sets a materially higher standard than the BIIP ever applied. A successful and profitable local business will not generally be sufficient on its own.
For most persons who would formerly have been suited to the BIIP, the appropriate first step is a candid pre-EOI assessment of whether the record of achievement meets that standard. Connect Immigration will advise where it does not, rather than accept a fee for an Expression of Interest that will not attract an invitation
Existing Subclass 188 holders
Holders of a Subclass 188 retain an intact pathway to the Subclass 888, but the position is time-sensitive. Readiness for the Subclass 888 should be assessed well before the provisional visa approaches expiry, as allowing the visa to lapse may end the pathway entirely. Early advice is strongly recommended.
Connect Immigration offers a paid strategy consultation providing a direct assessment of the options available for investment in, or relocation of, a business to Australia
Consultations may be arranged on : +61 422 295 701