Australia’s Business Innovation & Investment Visa (Subclass 188): 2026 Requirements

Start here if you are a high-net-worth individual, investor, or successful business owner. This post is your complete 2026 guide to the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 188), Australia’s primary pathway for those who want to invest in or manage a business in the country.

Why read this? You will achieve three things:

1. Clarity: You will understand the four main streams of this visa, from the “Business Innovation” stream to the “Significant Investor” stream.
2. Confidence: You will learn the exact 2026 investment and asset requirements, including the AUD $2.5 million and AUD $5 million thresholds.
3. A Plan: You will discover the two-step process: from this temporary Subclass 188 visa to the permanent Subclass 888 visa.

By the end of this guide, you will know which Australia investment visa stream is right for your financial portfolio. We will also provide links to the official Home Affairs and Austrade websites.

What is the Business Innovation & Investment Visa (188)?

The Subclass 188 visa is a temporary visa for business owners, investors, and entrepreneurs. It allows you to live in Australia, manage your business or investments, and travel in and out of the country.

Crucially, this visa is the first step. It is a “provisional” visa that provides a pathway to the permanent Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 888) after you have met your business or investment obligations in Australia.

You must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government to apply.

The 2026 Requirements: The Four Main Investment Streams

This visa is not one-size-fits-all. You must choose the stream that matches your background and investment capacity. All streams require you to be under 55 (unless waived) and pass a points test (min 65 points).

1. Business Innovation Stream

This stream is for successful business owners who want to own and manage a new or existing business in Australia.

• Business Turnover: Your existing business(es) must have had an annual turnover of at least AUD $750,000 for two of the last four fiscal years.
• Personal Assets: You (and your partner) must have total net business and personal assets of at least AUD $1.25 million.

2. Investor Stream

This stream is for successful investors or business owners who are willing to make a significant investment in an Australian state or territory.

• The Investment: You must make a “complying investment” of at least AUD $2.5 million into a state or territory.
• Personal Assets: You must have net business, investment, and personal assets of at least AUD $2.5 million.
• Experience: You must have at least 3 years of experience managing qualifying businesses or eligible investments.

3. Significant Investor Stream (SIV)

This is the high-net-worth stream. It has fewer requirements (no age limit, no points test) but a much higher financial bar.

• The Investment: You must make a “complying significant investment” of at least AUD $5 million into a specific framework, which includes venture capital and emerging companies.

4. Entrepreneur Stream

This stream is for innovators who have a funding agreement from a third party for at least AUD $200,000 to undertake a “complying entrepreneur activity” in Australia.

Step-by-Step: Your Australia Investment Visa Process

1. Choose Your Stream: Decide if you are an “Innovator” (business owner), “Investor” ($2.5M), or “Significant Investor” ($5M).
2. Submit Expression of Interest (EOI): Lodge an EOI in the government’s SkillSelect system.
3. Apply for State Nomination: Apply directly to the state or territory government you plan to invest or do business in.
4. Receive Invitation to Apply: Once nominated by a state, you will be invited to apply for the visa.
5. Lodge Visa Application (Subclass 188): You have 60 days to lodge your full application, including detailed proof of your assets and business history.
6. After Arrival (Pathway to PR): Once your 188 visa is granted, you move to Australia and fulfill the obligations of your stream (e.g., manage your business, maintain your investment) for several years. After this, you can apply for the permanent Subclass 888 visa.

Business Innovation (188) vs. Global Talent (858): Which is Better?

This is a common point of confusion for high-achievers.

• Business Visa (188): This visa is about your capital. It’s for people who will invest money or run a business in Australia. It’s a two-step (temporary to permanent) process.
• Global Talent Visa (858): This visa is about your personal talent. It’s for high-achieving employees and experts (like a star CTO or researcher) with a high income (AUD $162,000+). It is a direct-to-permanent visa.

The Verdict: If you are a business owner/investor, the 188 visa is your path. If you are an elite *employee*, the Global Talent Visa is the faster, better option.

Conclusion: Your Next Step to Investing in Australia

The Subclass 188 visa is a powerful tool for successful entrepreneurs and investors to build a future in Australia. The key is to choose the right stream and have immaculate financial documentation.

Your journey starts with a valuation. Your first step is to work with a financial advisor and a MARA-registered agent specializing in business investment visas to assess your assets and business history against the strict criteria. Review the official stream requirements on the immi.homeaffairs.gov.au website.