Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 888)

Q: How many streams are available?

There are 5 streams: Business Innovation , Investor , Significant Investor , Premium Investor , and Entrepreneur .

Transition from temporary to permanent residency with your business or investment in Australia.

📖 Book A Free Consultation

🧾 Visa Snapshot

Visa/Subclass: Subclass 888 – Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) Visa

Who it suits: Business owners, investors, and entrepreneurs currently on a Subclass 188 visa

Stay period: Permanent residency

Work rights : Full work rights

Study allowance: Permitted

Location rules: Nationwide

Key risks: Not meeting business turnover, residence, or investment requirements

Visa Overview

The Subclass 888 visa is the permanent stage of Australia’s Business Innovation and Investment Program. It allows holders of eligible Subclass 188 visas to transition to permanent residency after meeting business, investment, or entrepreneurial requirements.

🎯 Key Benefits

Streams in Subclass 888

The visa is divided into multiple streams depending on your business or investment activity:

888 Business
Innovation Stream

for successful business owners who held 188A

888 Investor
Stream

for holders of 188B who maintained an AUD 1.5m investment for 4 years

888 Significant
Investor Stream

for holders of 188C who invested AUD 5m in complying investments

888 Premium
Investor Stream

for holders of 188D with AUD 15m investments (by invitation)

888 Entrepreneur
Stream

for holders of 188E who carried out successful entrepreneurial activity

Stream Comparison Table

This table provides a quick comparison of the Subclass 888 visa streams (A–E), to help applicants understand the key differences.

Feature	888 – Business Innovation	888 – Investor	888 – Significant Investor	888 – Premium Investor	888 – Entrepreneur
Visa pathway	188A → 888A	188B → 888B	188C → 888C	188D → 888D	188E → 888E
Investment/Turnover	Business turnover AUD 300k+ / year	Maintain AUD 1.5m investment for 4 years	Maintain AUD 5m in complying investments	Maintain AUD 15m in premium investments (Austrade invite)	Show commercialisation / entrepreneurial outcomes
Residence requirement	1 year in the last 2 years	2 years in the last 4 years	40 days per year (or 180 via spouse)	1 year during the investment period	2 years during 188E visa
Work/Study rights	Full rights	Full rights	Full rights	Full rights	Full rights
Family inclusion	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Processing time	3–5 months	3–5 months	3–5 months	3–5 months	3–5 months
Base VAC (2025)	AUD 3,500	AUD 3,500	AUD 3,500	AUD 3,500	AUD 3,500

🔍 Step-by-Step Application Process

Follow these steps to transition from Subclass 188 to Subclass 888:

Confirm your stream

Check timing

Prepare business, investment, or entrepreneurial evidence.

Ensure residence and turnover/investment thresholds are met.

Gather supporting documents (identity, AFP check, health insurance, tax records).

Submit your application online through ImmiAccount.

Pay the Visa Application Charge (VAC) and await DHA decision.

Eligibility Criteria

Hold an eligible Subclass 188 visa in the corresponding stream.

Meet residence requirement: generally, at least 2–4 years in Australia, depending on stream.

Business owners: meet minimum turnover and maintain ownership requirements.

Investors: maintain designated investments (AUD 1.5m, 5m, or 15m as applicable).

Entrepreneurs: demonstrate successful commercialisation or entrepreneurial outcomes.

Meet health and character requirements.

Family members must also satisfy health and character checks.

Required Documents

Current passport and identity documents

Evidence of Subclass 188 visa grant

Business or investment evidence (financial statements, shareholding records, bank statements)

Tax and compliance records with ATO

Proof of residence in Australia (utility bills, leases)

AFP National Police Check

Health insurance evidence

Family members’ identity, health, and character documents

Fees & Processing Times

Item	Amount / Notes
Base Application Fees	AUD3,500.00
Additional Applicant 18 and over	AUD1,755.00
Additional Applicant Under 18 Fees	AUD875
Processing time	typically, 3–5 months depending on stream and caseload.

Family Members

You can include your partner and dependent children (including those over 18 if financially dependent).

Family must meet health and character requirements.

Subsequent entrant applications are permitted after the grant.

Common Mistakes & Red Flags

Not meeting residence requirement.

Failing to maintain the required investment for the full holding period.

Incomplete or inconsistent business/tax records.

Not matching the correct stream when applying.

📚 Resources & Tools

Dowload Subclass 888 Migration Pack

Discover

Check Your Eligibility

Discover

❓ Subclass 888 Business Innovation
Investor Visa FAQs

Who can apply for Subclass 888?

Holders of eligible Subclass 188 visas who meet the residence and business/investment requirements.

How many streams are available?

There are 5 streams: Business Innovation, Investor, Significant Investor, Premium Investor, and Entrepreneur.

Do I need to meet a points test?

No. Unlike Subclass 188, Subclass 888 does not require a points test.

Can I include my family?

Yes, partners and dependent children can be included.

What is the processing time?

Generally 3–5 months, depending on the stream and caseload.

📞 Book a Free Consultation with a Migration Expert

Speak directly with a MARA-registered migration agent and have your Skilled Visa strategy explained step-by-step — at no cost.

Why Trust Visa Advisor?

Choosing the right migration partner can make all the difference.

Here’s why Visa Advisor is the trusted choice

Expert Guidance

MARA-registered agents with years of experience simplify your migration journey.

Transparent Pricing

Clear, upfront costs with no hidden fees—just honest advice.

Global Support

Flexible online and in-person consultations, wherever you are.

Smart Tools

Advanced visa finders and calculators to make decisions easier.

Proven Results

Trusted by clients for reliable, personalized migration support.

Disclaimer
The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not guarantee visa approval. All visa applications are subject to the discretion of the Australian Department of Home Affairs. For personalized guidance, please contact a registered migration agent at Visa Advisor.