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

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

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🧾 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

  • Permanent residency for you and eligible family members
  • Full work and study rights
  • Access to Medicare and eventual citizenship eligibility
  • Pathway to sponsor family members
  • No points test requirement

Streams in Subclass 888

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

888A

Business Innovation Stream: for successful business owners who held 188A

888B

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

888C

Significant Investor Stream: for holders of 188C who invested AUD 5m in complying investments

888D

Premium Investor Stream: for holders of 188D with AUD 15m investments (by invitation)

888E

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.
Feature888A – Business Innovation888B – Investor888C – Significant Investor888D – Premium Investor888E – Entrepreneur
Visa pathway188A → 888A188B → 888B188C → 888C188D → 888D188E → 888E
Investment/TurnoverBusiness turnover AUD 300k+ / yearMaintain AUD 1.5m investment for 4 yearsMaintain AUD 5m in complying investmentsMaintain AUD 15m in premium investments (Austrade invite)Show commercialisation / entrepreneurial outcomes
Residence requirement1 year in the last 2 years2 years in the last 4 years40 days per year (or 180 via spouse)1 year during the investment period2 years during 188E visa
Work/Study rightsFull rightsFull rightsFull rightsFull rightsFull rights
Family inclusionYesYesYesYesYes
Processing time3–5 months3–5 months3–5 months3–5 months3–5 months
Base VAC (2025)AUD 4,640AUD 4,640AUD 4,640AUD 4,640AUD 4,640

🔍 Step-by-Step Application Process

Follow these steps to transition from Subclass 188 to Subclass 888:
1
Confirm your stream
2
Check timing
3
Prepare business, investment, or entrepreneurial evidence.
4
Ensure residence and turnover/investment thresholds are met.
5
Gather supporting documents (identity, AFP check, health insurance, tax records).
6
Submit your application online through ImmiAccount.
7
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.

Not sure if you meet these requirements? Contact Us Now

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

ItemAmount / Notes
Base Application FeesAUD3,500.00
Additional Applicant 18 and overAUD1,755.00
Additional Applicant Under 18 FeesAUD875
Processing timetypically, 3–5 months depending on stream and caseload.
Check Visa Fees with Official Estimator

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

Download Subclass 190 Migration Pack
Download Subclass 190
Migration Pack
Discover
Check Your Eligibility
Check Your Eligibility
Download EOI Guide
Download EOI Guide

❓FAQs

Holders of eligible Subclass 188 visas who meet the residence and business/investment requirements.
There are 5 streams: Business Innovation, Investor, Significant Investor, Premium Investor, and Entrepreneur.
No. Unlike Subclass 188, Subclass 888 does not require a points test.
Yes, partners and dependent children can be included.
Generally 3–5 months, depending on the stream and caseload.

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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.