Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) (subclass 188) visa · Work and skilled visas · Stream of Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa
Business Innovation Extension stream
The 188 programme closed to new applications in July 2024. Existing holders should check the rules that remain available for their stream and any eligibility for the 888. Closure should not be read as a promise of an equivalent replacement programme.
This provisional visa lets you extend your stay in Australia if you hold a subclass 188 visa in the Business Innovation stream.
- Stay
Up to 6, 7 or 8 years after the date of grant of the original subclass 188 visa in the Business Innovation stream.
- Government charge
From AUD1,505.00 (concessions apply in limited circumstances)
- Visa type
Closed to new applicants
Official information from the Department of Home Affairs
The material below reproduces English-language information from the Department of Home Affairs about this visa. Requirements may have changed since it was added to this website. Use the source link to check the latest information; I can explain relevant provisions in Vietnamese or English during a consultation.
Overview
Stay
Up to 6, 7 or 8 years after the date of grant of the original subclass 188 visa in the Business Innovation stream.
Government charge
From AUD1,505.00 (concessions apply in limited circumstances)
Cost Concession
From 1 July 2026, a lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens who lodge a valid visa application. See About this visa.
To work out what your visa will cost, use the Visa Pricing Estimator. The estimator does not take into account any other costs.
Processing times
For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.
With this visa, you can
- operate a new or existing business in Australia
- bring eligible members of your family with you
- apply for a permanent Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888) Business Innovation stream if you meet certain requirements
You must
- hold, or in certain cases must have held a Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) Business Innovation stream for at least three years or
- hold, or in certain cases must have held a Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) Business Innovation Extension stream and not have held more than one Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) Business Innovation Extension stream visa and
- be nominated by a State or Territory government agency.
Help with your visa
If you are getting help with your visa, before you pay someone, read information on Who can help with your visa application.
About this visa
With this visa, you can
- stay in Australia while the visa is valid
- operate a new or existing business in Australia
- work and study in Australia
- attend free English language classes through the Adult Migrant English Program, if eligible
- travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid
- bring eligible members of your family with you
- apply for permanent residency, if eligible, through the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888) in the Business Innovation stream.
How long you can stay
The date you were invited to apply for a Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) in the Business Innovation stream determines how long you can stay in Australia.
If you were invited to apply on or after 1 July 2021
Travel to, enter and remain in Australia for up to 7 years after the date of the grant of the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) in the Business Innovation stream that you held at the time of application.
If you were invited to apply before 1 July 2021
Travel to, enter and remain in Australia for up to 6 years after the date of the grant of the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) in the Business Innovation stream that you held at the time of application.
If COVID 19 concessions apply
Travel to, enter and remain in Australia for up to 8 years after the date of the grant of the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) in the Business Innovation stream.
This is a provisional visa. The visa is granted with multiple entries. You can leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid.
The visa starts on the date it is granted.
Stay longer
This is a provisional visa. You must apply for a new visa if you want to stay longer. Once you have this visa, you can apply for permanent residence through the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888) Business Innovation stream if certain requirements are met. Explore your visa options.
Include family
You can include members of the family unit in your application when you apply. You can also add your dependent child to your application at any time before we decide on your application.
Family members who apply for the visa must meet our health and character requirements.
In order for the primary applicant to be granted the visa, family members who are not coming to Australia must meet our character requirements, and might have to meet our health requirements.
Cost
From AUD1,505.00 for the main applicant (concessions apply in limited circumstances).
There is also a charge for each family member who applies for the visa with you.
Any applicant 18 years old or older who has less than functional English must pay an extra charge unless the applicant has already paid this charge for a previous subclass 188 visa application. This charge is the second instalment. Pay it only when we ask you to. We will refund the charge if we do not grant you the visa.
The second instalment charges are:
- main applicant: AUD9,795
- family members: AUD4,890
To work out what your visa will cost use the Visa Pricing Estimator. The estimator does not take into account the second instalment or other costs. You might also have to pay other costs for health checks, police certificates and biometrics.
Cost concession for eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste visa applicants
From 1 July 2026, a lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens who lodge a valid visa application.
We will charge eligible applicants the lower visa application cost during the application process in ImmiAccount. We will recognise eligible applicants by the valid passport from the specified countries used in the application when they apply.
Family members are also eligible for the lower visa cost. We base this on the passport of the primary applicant (or visa holder who satisfies the primary visa criteria).
The primary applicant must hold a valid passport issued by one of the following countries:
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Nauru
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Timor-Leste
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
Apply from
You can be in or outside Australia when you apply for the visa and when we decide on your application, but not in immigration clearance.
Processing times
- 25% of applications: 5 Months
- 50% of applications: 6 Months
- 75% of applications: 7 Months
- 90% of applications: 10 Months
There are no standard processing times available for this stream.
Your application might take longer to process if:
- you do not complete the form correctly
- you do not include all the documents we need or we need more information from you
- it takes us time to verify your information
We can't process your application if you do not pay the correct visa application charge. We will notify you if this is the case and if necessary return your application.
Your obligations
You and your family members who are part of your application must comply with all visa conditions and Australian laws.
Learn more about conditions for this visa.
You must also meet certain business obligations and obey Australian workplace laws.
Meet your business obligations
While the holder of this visa, you must:
- have a substantial ownership stake in a business in Australia
- genuinely have a realistic commitment to take part in its day-to-day management, at a senior level
In the business, you must do at least one of these things:
- add to commercial activity and competitiveness within the Australian economy
- develop business links with international markets
- employ people in Australia
- export Australian goods
- introduce new or improved technology, or
- produce goods or services that Australia would otherwise import
Follow Australian workplace laws
All workers in Australia (including visa holders) have rights and protections at work. Pay rates and workplace conditions are set by Australian law.
You must meet workplace laws when operating your business in Australia. The Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) can help you with:
- pay rates
- shift calculations
- leave arrangements and notice
- redundancy entitlements
Adequate health insurance
We recommend you take out health insurance to cover any unforeseen medical treatment you might need in Australia. You are personally liable for all your healthcare costs while you are in Australia. Insurance can help limit your financial liability.
See what we consider adequate health insurance.
Learn more about health insurance for overseas visitors.
Reciprocal healthcare agreements
Some countries have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia. Find out more from Services Australia about reciprocal healthcare agreements.
Travel
You can travel outside Australia and return as many times as you want while the visa is valid.
The time you spend outside Australia does not extend the visa.
Visa label
Australian visas are digital.
We do not put a visa label in your passport. Instead, we link your digital visa record to your passport.
Eligibility
Hold this visa
You must hold a Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) Innovation stream and have held it for at least three years.
COVID-19 Concessions
Arrangements were in place for provisional visa holders who may have been disadvantaged as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
From 1 February 2020 you were able to apply for this visa until 3 months after the end of the ‘COVID-19 concession period’.
You could do so if you held a Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) Business Innovation stream during the ‘COVID-19 concession period’ , and it was granted on or before 30 June 2019;
You could also have applied if you hold or held a Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) Business Innovation Extension stream during the ‘COVID-19 concession period if you:
- have not held more than one of these visas
- were granted a Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) Business Innovation stream on or before 30 June 2019.
You must also have held a Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) in the Business Innovation stream for at least 3 years.
For more information on the concession period, visit COVID-19 concession period.
Demonstrate a need for you to be resident in Australia to operate the main business
You must be able to demonstrate your business activities are of a nature that will require a substantial presence in Australia to operate your business and manage its day-to-day affairs.
Have maintained ownership interest in your nominated main business
Your main business must have been operating actively in Australia for at least 2 years immediately before applying for this visa, unless COVID-19 concessions below apply.
COVID-19 concessions
- If during the ‘COVID-19 concession period’ , you hold or held a:
- Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) Business Innovation stream that was granted on or before 30 June 2019; or
- Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) Business Innovation Extension stream, and your Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) in the Business Innovation stream was granted on or before 30 June 2019
Your main business must have been operating actively in Australia for a combined period of at least 2 years while you held one or both of these visas.
You must also continue to have an ownership interest in that main business.
Have maintained your commitment
You must have maintained your commitment to stay directly involved in the day-to-day management and decision-making of the business.
Be nominated
You must have a current nomination from a State or Territory agency before being invited to apply for this visa.
Not have a history of involvement in unacceptable activities
You and your partner must have had no history of involvement in business or investment activities that are of a nature that is not generally acceptable in Australia.
Have functional English
All applicants aged 18 or over at time of application who did not pay a second instalment of the visa application charge for a previous subclass 188 visa application, must either have functional English or you will be asked to pay the second instalment of the visa application charge.
Meet our health requirement
You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet our health requirement.
We may request family members not accompanying you to Australia to also meet our health requirement.
Do not undertake health requirement until we ask you to.
Meet our character requirement
You and family members aged 16 years or over who apply for the visa with you must meet our character requirement.
Family members who are not coming to Australia must meet our character requirement
Meet the Australian values statement
If you and your family members who have applied for this visa are 18 years of age or older at the time of application, you and your family members must:
- have read, or had explained to you, the Life in Australia book
- sign an Australian Values Statement that confirms you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws
Have no debt to the Australian government
If you or any family members owe the Australian Government money, you or they must have paid it back or have an approved arrangement in place to pay it back.
Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused
We will consider your immigration history when we make a decision on your application, which means you might not be eligible for this visa if you have had a visa cancelled or refused.
In some circumstances you may still apply for a permanent visa if you have had a visa cancelled or an application refused see Limitations on applications in Australia.
If applying for a visa from outside Australia see Can I go to Australia.
If you want immigration assistance, see Who can help with your visa application.
Step by step
1Before you apply
You must have a current nomination from a State or Territory agency.
Make sure passports are up-to-date
You and your family members will need valid passports for this visa. If you plan to get a new passport, do this before applying.
Get help with your application
Only some people can help you with your application. If you appoint someone to give you immigration assistance they must be:
You can appoint anyone to receive documents on your behalf relating to your visa matter.
2Gather your documents
You will need to prove your identity, and provide documents about your business and assets. You also need to provide documents about family members applying with you.
Provide accurate information
You are obliged to prove your identity and provide true information with your application. See what happens if you can't prove your identity or don't prove your identity or do not provide true information.
Identity documents
Provide the pages of your current passport showing your photo, personal details, and passport issue and expiry dates.
Also provide:
- a national identity card, if you have one
- proof of change of name, if applicable
Documents that prove a change of name include:
- a marriage or divorce certificate
- change of name documents from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, or the relevant overseas authority
- documents that show other names you have been known by
Business ownership documents
Unless COVID-19 concessions apply, provide evidence of business ownership for at least the 2 years immediately before you make the application.
COVID-19 concessions
If during the ‘COVID-19 concession period’, you hold or held a:
- Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) Business Innovation stream that was granted before on or before 30 June 2019; or
- Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) Business Innovation Extension stream, and had previously held a Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) Business Innovation stream that was granted on or before 30 June 2019,
Your main business or businesses must have been operating actively in Australia for a cumulative period of at least 2 years while you held one or both of these visas. You will need to provide evidence of business ownership for the cumulative period.
Evidence of business ownership may include:
- full company extract or certificate of incorporation
- shareholder certificate lodged with the Company Registrar, showing your share of capital annual return of the business
- memorandum and articles of association
- certificate of business registration, business licence or business names extract for the business
- franchise agreement, company registrar, or share transfer documents
- partnership agreements between all partners
- if your business is a trust: full trust deed and amendments (including the names of all trustees and beneficiaries at the time the trust was formed)
Provide evidence of your ownership or share of ownership of the main business, such as:
- evidence of purchase
- share registers, company registers, or share transfer documents
- historical company extracts
- annual returns of directors and shareholders
- partnership, trust or franchise agreements
Also provide evidence that shows a need for you to be a resident in Australia to operate the main business.
Evidence of business management
Provide evidence that you genuinely have a realistic commitment to maintain direct and continuous involvement in management of the business from day to day and in making decisions affecting the overall direction and performance of the business
You can provide evidence that demonstrates your involvement in decisions about the management of all or substantial part of the business and responsibility for such areas as strategic management, recruitment, price structure, business profitability and expenditure.
Organisation chart and business premises
Provide:
- a 1-page organisational chart showing your position in the business, staff attribution, management reporting lines and functional responsibilities
- photos of business premises and business activities (maximum 6 photos)
Evidence of 10% ownership of publicly listed company
If a publicly listed company operates any of your qualifying businesses, provide evidence that you, your partner or you and your partner combined own at least 10% of the issued shares of the publicly listed company.
Provide your supporting documents and pay the visa application charge by credit card when you apply.
English language documents
Provide proof that you have at least functional English.
All applicants aged 18 years and older at the time of application who can't provide evidence of having at least functional English must pay a second instalment of the visa application charge.
If you and any family member applying with you have less than functional English, provide a statement indicating your intention to pay the second visa application charge for each person with less than functional English.
Health documents
You do not need to provide health documents. The doctor will send them to us.
Character documents
Provide:
- Form 80 Personal particulars for assessment including character assessment
- a police certificate from every country, including your home country, where you spent a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years since you turned 16 years or over
- military service records or discharge papers if you served in the armed forces of any country
Tell us you are getting help
To nominate someone to:
- receive your correspondence, use Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient
- provide immigration assistance, use Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person.
Upload your written notification or your forms to ImmiAccount.
Partner documents
Provide your partner's:
- identity documents
- character documents
- documents about other relationships, if applicable
Provide either:
- your current marriage certificate or
- enough documents to prove you have been in a de facto relationship with your partner for at least 12 months before you apply
Documents that prove your de facto relationship include:
- joint bank account statements
- billing accounts in joint names
- joint leases or mortgages
- documents that show your partner has lived at the same address as you
Dependants under 18 documents
For every dependant 18 years old or younger who is applying with you, provide:
- copies of birth certificates or the family book showing the names of both parents of all your dependent children
- copies of the adoption paper, if applicable.
Parental responsibility documents
You must get consent for any applicant under 18 years of age to migrate to Australia from anyone who:
- has a legal right to decide where the child lives and
- is not coming to Australia with the child
They must complete either:
- Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years
- a statutory declaration giving their consent for the child to visit Australia on this visa
Alternatively, you can show us:
- an Australian court order that allows your child to migrate to Australia, or
- that the laws of your home country allow them to migrate
Include:
- an identity document that shows the signature and photo of the person who completed the form or declaration, such as a passport or driver’s licence
- adoption papers or other court documents if applicable
Note: If your child is likely to turn 18 while your application is being processed, you will need to provide evidence they are dependent on you. See the section 'Dependants over 18 documents' below for further information. A child who turns 18 while your application is being processed and who is not dependent on you cannot satisfy the criteria for this visa.
Dependents over 18 documents
To include your child who is over 18 in your visa application, they must be:
- over 18 years of age but not yet turned 23, and dependent on you or your partner, or
- over 23 years of age and unable to earn a living to support themselves due to physical or cognitive limitations and dependent on you or your partner
Provide:
- identity documents
- documents about their other relationships, if applicable
- character documents
If your child is likely to turn 23 while your application is being processed, you will need to provide evidence they are dependent on you due to disability.
Proof of dependency
You must demonstrate that the child is dependent on you, by providing:
- proof of your relationship with the dependant such as a birth certificate or adoption papers
- a completed Form 47a Details of a child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over
- proof of financial dependency such as bank statements, money transfers and rent receipts
- if the child is aged 23 or is likely to turn 23 while your application is being processed, you must also provide a report from a qualified medical practitioner that states they are dependent on you or your partner due to the total or partial loss of their bodily or mental functions
You must also prove this person has been financially dependent on you for at least 12 months before you apply. You could provide:
- proof they live with you
- their tax records
- proof they are currently studying
- proof of payments made by you to them or on their behalf
Note: If your child is likely to turn 18 while your application is being processed, you will need to provide evidence they are dependent on you. See the section 'Dependants over 18 documents' below for further information. A child who turns 18 while your application is being processed and who is not dependent on you cannot satisfy the criteria for this visa.
Prepare your documents
Translate
Have all non-English documents translated into English.
Provide original and translated documents in your application.
Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.
Translators outside Australia do not have to be accredited. But on each translation, they must include their:
- full name
- address and telephone number
- qualifications and experience in the language they are translating
These details must be in English.
Note: You do not need to have any document certified.
Scan or photograph
Scan or photograph all documents (English and non-English) in colour.
The scans or photos must be clear.
If a document is more than one page, save it all as one file.
Applying from China, Macau, Hong Kong or Taiwan
If you are applying from China, Macau, Hong Kong or Taiwan, please use the document checklist from the Australian Consulate General Hong Kong.
3Apply for the visa
Apply for this visa online. You must hold a Subclass 188 Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa in the Business Innovation stream to apply.
For all applications lodged from 13 November 2021, applicants should upload supporting documentation to ImmiAccount when lodging a subclass 188 Business Innovation and Investment visa application in all streams.
Uploading all documents to ImmiAccount will ensure efficient processing and help to reduce processing times. Please utilise naming conventions provided when uploading supporting documents. Where naming conventions are unavailable for a particular document/s, please ensure that a proper heading is provided to the attached document/s.
Provide accurate information
You are obliged to prove your identity and provide true information with your application. See what happens if you cannot prove your identity or do not provide true information.
Apply for the visa online in ImmiAccount
Have all forms and documents ready before you submit your application.
- Create an account or sign in to ImmiAccount
- Pay the application charge.
- Note the transaction reference number (TRN)
ImmiAccount will tell you the charge. We will not process your application until you pay the correct charge.
Upload your documents
Applicants should upload supporting documentation to ImmiAccount when lodging a subclass 188 Business Innovation and Investment visa application in the Business Innovation Extension stream via ImmiAccount.
Attaching more information
If you did not attach all documents when you applied, attach them as soon as you can in ImmiAccount.
We might also ask you to provide more information, however we are not obliged to do so and may make a decision on your application without requesting more documents.
4After you apply
We will let you know when we have received your application.
What will happen after you apply
We will let you know when we have received your application and documents.
Status updates
We cannot provide updates on applications. You will be contacted if additional information is required. Please wait for us to contact you.
Travel after you apply
You do not have to tell us if you want to travel outside Australia while we process your application. This is because you can be outside Australia when we make a decision.
But if you leave Australia, make sure you have a valid visa if you plan to return to Australia before a decision is made on your application.
Learn about visa expiry.
Learn about Bridging visas.
Health exams
Health examination results are generally valid for 12 months. If your previous health clearance for subclass 188 visa is more than 12 months old, you will need to undertake new health examinations.
Do not undertake health examinations until we ask you to.
Biometrics
We might ask for biometrics (fingerprints and photo). We will let you know if you need to provide them.
Provide more information
If you didn't send us all documents when you applied, send them as soon as you can.
If you live in the People's Republic of China (PRC), Hong Kong (SAR), Macau (SAR) or Taiwan, send the documents to the Australian Consulate General Hong Kong.
If you live elsewhere send your documents to us through ImmiAccount.
Attach more information
If you did not attach all documents when you applied, attach them as soon as you can in ImmiAccount.
We might also ask you to provide more information, however we are not obliged to do so and may make a decision on your application without requesting more documents.
Stay lawful
If you are in Australia, make sure you stay lawful by holding a valid visa while we process your application.
When you applied for this visa, you were granted a Bridging visa A (BVA). If your current visa expires before we decide on your application, the BVA will start. You can stay in Australia on the BVA while we process your new visa application.
Do not cancel your current visa. If you do, you will:
- be staying in Australia unlawfully
- not be eligible for a Bridging visa A
Learn more about visa expiry.
Learn about Bridging visas
Pay the second instalment
If you need to pay a second instalment, we will send you an invoice after you have met all other requirements for the visa. Pay the invoice after you get it.
You must pay the instalment before we will grant the visa.
Adding family members
You can add members of the family unit to your application after you apply but before we decide on your visa
Complete Form 1436 Adding an additional applicant after lodgement and
- send it to the email address we gave you when you sent your application
- include evidence of the child's relationship to you
- include other supporting documents for your child, such as identity documents
- pay the additional application charge
Newborn children
Find out what to do if your child is born after you apply.
Mistakes on your application
Let us know as soon as you can if you made a mistake on your application. Send the form to the address you sent your forms and documents.
Help with your application
Let us know if you no longer want someone to:
- receive your correspondence - complete Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient
- provide immigration advice - complete Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person.
Upload your written notification or your forms to ImmiAccount.
For more information see Who can help you with your application.
Tell us if things change
Things you need to let us know about after you have applied include:
- changes to your phone number, email, address or passport
- changes to your marital or de facto status
- the birth of a child
- you want to withdraw your application
See how to tell us if your situation changes.
5Visa outcome
We will let you know in writing our decision about your visa application. If your visa is granted, we will tell you:
- your visa grant number
- the date your visa starts
- your visa conditions
Keep a copy of this with you when in Australia.
If we refuse your visa we will tell you why we refused and whether you have a right to a review of the decision.
We will not refund the application charge if we refuse your application.
When you have this visa
Coming to Australia
Before you leave
Check your travel documents
You must have:
- a valid visa to enter Australia
- a valid passport or other travel document
At the border
Completing an Incoming Passenger Card
All people arriving Australia must complete the Incoming Passenger Card. You will given this card onboard the aircraft.
Leaving the airport faster
We have an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. You might be able to leave the airport faster if you use SmartGate.
In Australia
What you can do when you have this visa
This is not a permanent visa. With this visa you can:
- operate a new or existing business in Australia
- travel to, enter and remain in Australia for up to 6, 7 or 8 years after the date of grant of the original Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (Subclass 188) in the Business Innovation stream
- bring eligible members of your family with you
- apply for a permanent Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888) Business Innovation stream if certain requirements are met
To see your specific conditions, work and study entitlements use VEVO.
What you must do on this visa
You and your family members must comply with all visa conditions and obey Australian laws. See your conditions in VEVO or your visa grant letter.
You also must meet certain business obligations and comply with Australian workplace laws.
Meet your business obligations
You must genuinely have a realistic commitment to:
- maintain an ownership interest in a business in Australia
- participate in the day-to-day management and decision-making of that business
In the business, you must do at least one of these things:
- develop business links with international markets
- employ people in Australia
- export Australian goods
- produce goods or services that would otherwise be imported
- introduce new or improved technology, or
- add to commercial activity and competitiveness within the Australian economy
During your stay, we might survey you about your business activities in Australia.
Follow Australian workplace laws
All workers in Australia (including visa holders) have rights and protections at work. Pay rates and workplace conditions are set by Australian law.
You must comply with workplace laws when operating your business in Australia. The Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) can help you with pay rates, shift calculations, leave arrangements and notice and redundancy entitlements.
Tell us if things change
Things you need to let us know about include:
- changes to your phone number, email, address or passport
- changes to your relationship status
- the birth of a child
See how to let us know if your situation changes.
See how long you can stay
This is a provisional visa.
If you were invited to apply for the last Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) in the Business Innovation stream that you held, on or after 1 July 2021, you can stay in Australia for up to 7 years after the date you were granted that visa.
If you were invited to apply for the last Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) in the Business Innovation stream that you held before 1 July 2021, you can stay in Australia for up to 6 years after the date you were granted that visa.
If the last subclass 188 visa you held was a Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) in the Innovation Extension stream, you can stay in Australia for up to 8 years after the date of the grant of your original Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) in the Business Innovation stream.
The visa is granted with multiple entries. You can leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid.
The visa starts on the date it is granted.
To see when you must leave, use VEVO.
Staying longer
This is a provisional visa. You must apply for a new visa if you want to stay longer. Explore you visa options.
Once you have this visa, you can apply for permanent residence if certain requirements are met.
Apply for permanent residence
For permanent residence, apply for the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888) Business Innovation stream
Travelling on your visa
This is a multiple entry visa. You can travel outside Australia and return as many times as you want while the visa is valid.
The time you spend outside Australia does not extend the visa.
Proving you have a visa
To prove you have a visa and show your conditions to someone, use VEVO.
Request your international movement records to get proof of your travel in and out of Australia.
Bringing family
After you are granted this visa, if members of your family want to apply for the same visa, they must submit a separate online application. Any additional family members are called 'subsequent entrants'.
Complete the 'Application for a Business Innovation and Investment (Subsequent Entrant) Visa' application form in ImmiAccount.
Leaving Australia
Before you leave
Check your travel documents
You must have a valid passport or other travel document to leave Australia.
At the Border
Leaving the airport faster
We have an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. You might be able to leave the airport faster if you use SmartGate
After you leave
Proving you have been to Australia
Request your international movement records to get proof of your travel in and out of Australia.
All streams of the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa
Official source: Department of Home Affairs, immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. © Commonwealth of Australia. Refer to the source website for its copyright and conditions of use.
Open the official page
Next step
Have a visa question or need help getting started?
A 30-minute consultation gives us time to discuss your circumstances, consider initial options and identify the documents that need checking. Some matters require a further review of the records before I can give a complete assessment.