Since 01 July 2021, there are now only 4 streams available in the Subclass 188 visa:
- Business Innovation stream: For candidates with business experience who want to bring their business or to establish a new or existing business in Australia.
- Investor stream: For those who are able to make a designated investment of at least AUD1.5million
- Significant Investor stream: For those who are able to invest at least AUD 5 million. Similar to the investor stream but due to the larger sum of investment, the requirements for the visa are reduced.
- Entrepreneur stream: For individuals sponsored or endorsed by a State or Territory government to undertake a complying entrepreneur activity that is proposed to lead to either the commercialisation of a product or service in Australia or the development of a business in Australia.
Business Innovation Stream (Subclass 188 A)
The main requirements of this visa are:
- Must be under 55
- Be nominated by a State or Territory government
- Score at least 65 points on the points test based on age, English language ability, qualifications, business experience, net personal and business assets, business turnover etc.
- Held a main business with at least 750,000 AUD turnover for 2 out of the last 4 fiscal years. The percentage in the business will define whether or not that business is your ‘main business’.
- You and your partner combined own personal and business assets of at least 1,250,000 AUD at time of invitation
Investor Stream (Subclass 188 B)
The main requirements of this visa are:
- Must be under 55
- Be nominated by a State or Territory government
- Score at least 65 points on the points test based on age, English language ability, qualifications, business experience, net personal and business assets, business turnover etc.
- Make a complying significant investment of AUD 2.5m to your State or Territory Government
- You and your partner combined own personal and business assets of at least 2,500,000 AUD for the last 2 fiscal years
- Managed an eligible investment of at least 2.5m AUD or a qualifying business for at least 1 of the 5 fiscal years
- Demonstrate at least 3 years’ experience of managing qualifying business/eligible investments and had a successful record of doing so.
Significant Investor Stream (Subclass 188 C)
The main requirements of this visa are:
- Be nominated by a State or Territory government
- Make a complying significant investment of AUD 5m
- Show lawful acquisition and ownership of at least AUD 5m ready for investment to Australia
- Not have a history of involvement in unacceptable activities
Entrepreneur Stream
The main requirements of this visa are:
- Must be under 55
- Have Competent English
- Be endorsed by a State or Territory government
- Undertaking or proposing to undertake a complying entrepreneur activity, and has a genuine intention to do so in Australia
- Not have a history of involvement in unacceptable activities
Complying entrepreneur activity is defined as an idea which will lead to the commercialization of a product or service or development of an enterprise or business in Australia. This activity must not relate to residential real estate, labour hire or purchase of an existing enterprise or franchise in Australia.
After meeting certain business or investment requirements, you would be eligible to transition into the permanent visa – Subclass 888.
If you are still unsure what is the difference between all the visas, click the icon below to see a comparison of all the streams.
Comparison Chart of Subclass 188 visas:
| Business Innovation Stream | Investor Stream | Significant Investor Stream | Entrepreneur Stream | |
| Age | Under 55 (unless special exemption received) | Under 55 (unless special exemption received) | No Age Requirement | Under 55 (unless special exemption received) |
| English | No English Requirement | No English Requirement | No English Requirement | Competent English Requirement |
| Points Test | 65 | 65 | No points test required | No points test required |
| Other Requirements | Business Turnover above AUD 750,000 for 2 full years in the last 4 Net worth of applicant and spouse above AUD 1,250,000 Have a successful business background | Make a $2.5m AUD complying investment 3 years of management or investment experience Net worth of applicant and spouse above AUD 2.5m | Make a $5m AUD complying investment Lawful acquisition of assets/funds of $5m AUD at disposal | Undertaking or proposing to undertake Complying Entrepreneur Activity in Australia Endorsed by State or Territory Government |
