Australia • Immigration Consulting
The Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP), which included the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188), closed permanently to new applications on 31 July 2024.
The Department of Home Affairs continues to process applications made before that date in line with the applicable program planning levels and processing priorities. Existing subclass 188 holders should rely on their grant notice and current Department guidance for their visa conditions and any available subsequent pathway.
Subclass 188 is not a current pathway for new business owners, investors or entrepreneurs. The National Innovation visa (subclass 858) is a separate, invitation-based visa for exceptionally talented migrants and is not a direct replacement for ordinary business migration.
This historical page is for people checking an application lodged before 31 July 2024, or an existing subclass 188 visa and its conditions. It is not a current eligibility assessment for new applicants.
The BIIP and subclass 188 closed permanently to new applications on 31 July 2024.
Applications lodged before closure may continue through Department processing under the rules and priorities that apply to them.
Existing holders should check their grant notice and obtain advice about any available subsequent pathway based on their own circumstances.
New business owners and investors need an individual assessment of presently available Australian pathways; no current pathway should be assumed from the historical subclass 188 program.
Current subclass 188 application costs are not provided because the BIIP is closed to new applications. Historical fees should not be used as a quote or current application guidance.
For a currently available pathway, confirm the applicable government charges using the Department of Home Affairs and Visa Pricing Estimator sources at the time of an individual assessment.
No current subclass 188 processing timeframe is provided. The Department states that applications lodged before closure continue to be processed under applicable priorities; individual timing is not guaranteed.
A job offer was not the defining feature of the historical subclass 188 program.
This page does not assess a new subclass 188 application or promise a current business-migration route.
New business owners and investors should request an individual assessment of pathways that are currently open to them.
The BIIP closed permanently to new applications on 31 July 2024. Do not use this page as a checklist for a new visa application.
If you lodged before the closure date, keep your Department correspondence and respond to any requests through the channel specified by the Department of Home Affairs.
Check your grant notice, visa conditions and any subclass 888 information that applies to your individual circumstances. Rules and processing arrangements can change.
No. The Business Innovation and Investment Program closed permanently to new applications on 31 July 2024.
The Department of Home Affairs continues to process applications made before 31 July 2024 in line with applicable program planning levels and processing priorities.
This page is retained as general historical information only. Existing holders should rely on their grant notice and current Department guidance for conditions and any subsequent pathway.
No. The National Innovation visa (subclass 858) is a separate, invitation-based visa for exceptionally talented migrants. It is not a direct replacement for ordinary business owners or investors.
If you lodged a subclass 188 application before 31 July 2024 or already hold this visa, an adviser can review your individual documents and current Department correspondence.
If you are exploring migration as a new business owner, investor or entrepreneur, request an individual assessment of currently available Australian pathways rather than relying on this historical page.