Overview
The Business Innovation & Investment (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 188) was designed for eligible entrepreneurs and investors to operate a business or make a qualifying investment in Australia as a pathway toward permanent residence.
Important update: The Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) closed to new applications on 31 July 2024. Applications lodged before this date may still be processed under the rules that applied at the time of lodgement.
Who this visa was for
This pathway generally applied to people who:
- Had business or investment experience and a clear plan for Australia
- Could meet stream-specific eligibility requirements (depending on the pathway)
- Could provide organised financial and supporting evidence
What a strong application typically showed (high level)
- Clear business/investment background and lawful source of funds (as applicable)
- A realistic plan and supporting evidence
- Accurate identity and personal history documents
- Health/character requirements (where required)
Typical supporting documents (examples)
- Passport and identity documents
- Business ownership/management evidence (company records, financials)
- Investment and source-of-funds documentation (where applicable)
- Supporting statements/timeline and key evidence files
- Any nomination/endorsement documents (stream-dependent)
How we support you
If you lodged before the closure date, we help you organise evidence, address document requests, and keep your file consistent through processing.