The Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) is for experienced business people and investors who want to establish or manage a business in Australia, or who want to make a designated investment. The program has provisional (subclass 188) and permanent (subclass 888) stages.
Before you do anything, check the program is still open
The Australian government has made changes to the BIIP in recent years. Some streams have been closed or modified. Investment thresholds and eligibility criteria change. We recommend contacting us to confirm which streams are currently accepting applications before committing any money or making business decisions linked to a visa outcome.
Is this your situation?
You are a successful business owner or investor overseas and you want to relocate to Australia. Or you have been advised that an investor visa is the way to get permanent residence, but you are not sure whether the investment requirements are genuine or whether the stream you are looking at is still available.
The amounts involved are significant. A bad decision here costs more than a refused visa. It can cost millions.
Subclass 188 - Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional)
The Business Innovation stream is for people with a successful business career who want to establish or manage a business in Australia. You need minimum business turnover, net assets, and a score on the business points test. State or territory nomination is required.
The Investor stream requires a designated investment of at least AUD $1.5 million in an Australian state or territory. The Significant Investor stream requires a complying investment of at least AUD $5 million in approved categories.
Subclass 888 - permanent visa
The 888 is the permanent visa that follows the 188. You apply after meeting the requirements of your provisional visa stream, typically after operating your business or maintaining your investment for the required period.
State nomination
All BIIP applicants need state or territory nomination. Queensland's nomination requirements include commitments to establish or invest in that state. Trade and Investment Queensland manages the program for Queensland.
How Robbie Toor (MARN 1170356) helps
Robbie advises on stream selection, state nomination applications, business plan requirements, investment compliance and the visa application. Given the significant financial commitments involved, we recommend getting professional migration advice before making any investment decisions linked to a visa pathway. We have seen people invest large sums based on advice from people who were not registered migration agents, only to find the visa pathway did not exist.