Apply for

Skilled Business Visa

Business Innovation and Investment Visas (188 & 888)-Build and expand your business in Australia with the 188 Provisional Visa, leading to permanent residency through the 888 Visa for successful entrepreneurs.

Two business professionals shaking hands in an office, representing business visa opportunities, partnerships, and professional collaboration.
Visa Type

Business Visa

Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 188
Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) Visa – Subclass 888
Main purpose

Temporary visa that allows business owners, investors, and entrepreneurs to establish or manage a business in Australia, with a pathway to permanent residency.

Permanent visa granted to those who have held the Subclass 188 (Provisional) Visa, meeting the business/investment requirements and contributing to the Australian economy.

Permanent or Temporary

Temporary visa (valid up to 5 years).

Permanent visa granted once requirements under Subclass 188 are met.

Applicant Location at Time of Application

Can apply while in or outside Australia, but must be nominated by a state or territory government or Austrade for relevant stream.

Can apply while in or outside Australia, but Applicant must have held a valid Subclass 188 visa before applying, and must meet all conditions.

Eligibility Requirements

Must meet one of the 188 visa streams (Business Innovation, Investor, Significant Investor, or Entrepreneur). Nominated by a state/territory government or Austrade.

Must have held a Subclass 188 visa (or an eligible substitute), met all conditions, and must be nominated by a state or territory.

Age Requirement

Must be under 55 years (exceptions for certain business streams).

No specific age requirement.

Skills and Business Experience

Applicants must demonstrate relevant business experience or investment capability based on the chosen stream (e.g., business ownership, asset level).

Applicants must have demonstrated a successful business or investment activity under the 188 visa and met the minimum operational time required.

Business Investment Requirements

Varies by stream (e.g., Business Innovation requires ownership or management of a business, Significant Investor requires investment of at least AUD 5 million).

Must demonstrate ongoing successful business or investment activity under the terms of the 188 visa.

Sponsorship/Nomination

Nominated by a state or territory government or Austrade, depending on the stream.

Nominated by a state or territory government or meet other state-specific requirements.

Work and Study Rights

Full work and study rights as a business owner/investor in Australia.

Full work and study rights as a permanent resident.

Medicare and Benefits

Can access Medicare during the provisional visa period, but full benefits and welfare support may not be available until permanent residency is granted.

Full access to Medicare and social benefits as a permanent resident.

Processing Time

Processing time varies depending on stream, but generally takes between 6–12 months.

Processing times vary based on the applicant’s business activity and compliance with Subclass 188 conditions. Typically faster than the provisional stage.

Visa Validity

Valid for up to 5 years, depending on stream. Applicants must meet residency requirements to transition to permanent residency.

Permanent residency granted once the conditions of the 188 visa are met.

When Can You Apply?

Apply when you meet the points test, business requirements, and have the required investment or business experience. Nominated by a state or territory government.

Apply once all 188 visa conditions are met, including successful business operations and time spent meeting investment/business benchmarks.

Employer Sponsorship Requirement

No employer sponsorship is required, as this is a business/investment visa.

No employer sponsorship required, but ongoing business and investment activity must meet established conditions.

Apply for your Skilled Migration today and experience all that Australia has to offer!

Book a free consultation
Book a free consultation
Testimonials

We’re in Our Clients’ Hearts

Excellence speaks for itself—our clients’ emotions tell the story.

Nilesh and Nirav proved to be true immigration experts, turning the Subsequent Entrant visa 491 process for a sister-in-law into a genuinely smooth and delightful experience. Their exceptional knowledge and unwavering support made them the best possible agents to have in your corner.

Shivam Jha
Assistant Medical Consultant

Knowbal Migration provided exceptional support from student visa to Subclass 190 PR approval. Rishav was particularly outstanding — proactive, detail-oriented, and consistently followed up to ensure timelines were met. The team also efficiently handled a parents' visitor visa. A genuinely stress-free experience, highly recommended for reliable migration guidance.

Rainita Gurjar
Developer Programmer

Knowbal Migration and Education played a pivotal role in securing a 190 PR in Adelaide. Dhruv deserves special recognition for his thorough guidance and consistent support from start to finish, making the entire visa process smooth, efficient, and stress-free. Highly recommended.

Deep Sath
Welder

Knowbal Migration delivered outstanding results for our family — securing a parents' visitor visa in just two days and the 191 visa within six months. Their highly skilled team was always responsive and supportive. Special thanks to Nirav Bhai for exceptional guidance throughout.

Ravi Shah
Pharmacy Assistant

After a 17-year migration journey, Knowbal delivered the breakthrough Prarthit had long sought. Nileshbhai's compassion, expertise, and genuine commitment to clients' dreams — not just fees — sets Knowbal apart. The team goes well above and beyond, earning lifelong gratitude from those they serve.

Prarthit Pandit
Truck Driver

Nilesh, Pragat, Trushen, and the entire Knowbal team provided genuinely trustworthy and wholehearted support throughout the 190 visa process. Their prompt actions, constant motivation, and dedication were truly appreciated. For anyone seeking a reliable migration agent, Knowbal is a team worth trusting completely.

V SRI
Electrical Engineer

Amazing experience with Knowbal Migration for visitor and 191 visa applications. Quick results, including a parents' visa in just 2 days. Skilled and responsive team. Special thanks to Niravbhai for excellent support.

Ravi Shah
How to apply

The Knowbal Visa Application Process

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the business investment requirements for the 188 visa, and how can I meet them?

To qualify for the 188 visa, you need to demonstrate significant business or investment experience, including meeting financial thresholds.

  • Business Innovation Stream requires you to own or manage a business for a minimum of 2 years and meet turnover criteria.
  • Investor Stream needs a minimum investment of AUD 1.5 million.
  • Significant Investor Stream requires a minimum investment of AUD 5 million.
  • Entrepreneur Stream requires a business idea or investment with government support.

Book a consultation to discuss which stream best fits your experience and how we can help you meet the requirements.

Can I apply for the 888 visa if I haven't met all the conditions of my 188 visa yet?

No, to be eligible for the 888 visa (Permanent), you must have met the conditions set under the 188 visa. These include operating your business successfully and maintaining the required investment levels. If you’re falling short on meeting these conditions, we can help you create a strategy to align your business operations with the permanent visa criteria.

What happens if my 188 visa is about to expire but I haven’t transitioned to 888 yet?

If your 188 visa is nearing expiration and you haven’t transitioned to the 888 visa, you may face challenges.

  • You might be eligible for a Bridging Visa A or B to remain in Australia legally while you apply for 888.
  • If you cannot meet the business activity or investment requirements, your chances of transitioning to 888 may be affected. We can provide guidance to ensure a smooth transition to permanent residency.
How do state or territory nominations work for the 188 visa, and do they affect my PR strategy?

State or territory nominations are essential for the 188 visa.

  • Your nominated state/territory may have specific business requirements, such as operating in regional areas or investing in targeted industries.
  • A strong nomination can fast-track your visa process and position you for permanent residency under 888.
    We’ll help you navigate these nominations and ensure your business is aligned with state-specific requirements to optimise your PR strategy.
How can I use the 888 visa to strengthen my PR pathway if I want to bring my family or employ staff?

The 888 visa provides permanent residency, which gives you the right to live, work, and employ people in Australia.

  • Having permanent residency allows you to sponsor family members for visas and helps position you for employer sponsorship under the 186 or 482 visas.
    We can help plan your PR journey, leveraging the business success from your 888 visa to maximise family and employment opportunities in Australia.
Can my business be affected by location requirements under the 188 visa (e.g., regional areas)?

Yes, depending on the stream you apply for under the 188 visa, your business may need to operate in a designated regional area for a specific period.

  • Regional Areas offer additional points for migration and can expedite your PR pathway under the 491 visa.
  • If you’re unsure about regional compliance, we can assist with location selection and business setup to maximise your chances for permanent residency.
What if I need to update my business or investment plans while holding the 188 visa?

You are allowed to adjust your business and investment plans, but any significant changes may affect your 188 visa conditions.

  • If you want to change your investment amount or business activity, we recommend consulting with us first to ensure your plans align with the visa requirements.
  • Proper planning will ensure that changes made during the provisional period won’t impact your future 888 visa application.

Still Curious?

Ask more
Smiling young woman with short brown hair wearing a rust-colored jacket and white shirt against a white background.
Young woman with short brown hair wearing a white top and an unbuttoned brown shirt smiling slightly.

Book a call with our Expert

12+ dedicated consultant

We will provide you full PR pathway, does not matter how complex your case is. Just fill out the enquiry form here!

Contact us
Contact us