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Business Innovation and Investment Provisional Visa Subclass 188

The temporary visa for business owners, investors, and entrepreneurs to operate or invest in Australia; it closed to new applications on 31 July 2024, but existing applicants and current holders continue under stream rules and may progress to permanent residency via subclass 888.

Note: This visa subclass is currently closed to new applications. Information is provided for reference only.

Subclass 188 was the provisional stage of Australia’s Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP). It enabled successful applicants to start, manage, or invest in Australian businesses, or pursue endorsed entrepreneurial activity, usually after a SkillSelect EOI and nomination by a state/territory government or Austrade. While the BIIP closed to new applications on 31 July 2024, applications lodged before that date are still being processed, some applicants may be eligible for VAC refunds if they withdrew on/after closure, and current 188 holders can continue their activities, use extension streams where eligible, and, upon meeting stream criteria, transition to permanent residence via subclass 888.

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Business Innovation and Investment (permanent) Visa (subclass 888)

The Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888) lets eligible holders of provisional business/investment visas (and certain 444/457 holders) obtain Australian permanent residence to continue their business, investment, or entrepreneurship activities.

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Business Talent Permanent Visa Subclass 132

The Business Talent (Permanent) visa (subclass 132) was a permanent residence visa for high-calibre business owners and venture-backed entrepreneurs to establish or develop a business in Australia; it closed to new applications on 1 July 2021, with pre-closure applications still processed under BIIP rules.

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