Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa

What this visa is for#

The Australian Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888) is the permanent stage after holding a 188. It sits in the business category and the Permanent stream.

This visa is used to move from a provisional business or investment pathway to permanent residence, where the holder meets the requirements of the stream they were invited to apply under. The exact evidence needed depends on the stream, because the 188 visa has different business, investor and entrepreneur pathways.

A granted subclass 888 is a permanent visa. Permanent visas generally allow the holder to stay in Australia indefinitely, work and study in Australia, and enrol in Medicare if they meet Medicare's rules. Travel rights on permanent visas are usually tied to a travel facility for a set period, after which a Resident Return visa may be needed for re-entry if the person has travelled overseas.

Who it is generally for#

This visa is for people who have held a subclass 188 visa and are moving to the permanent stage of that program. It covers people who were granted a provisional business or investment visa and later apply in the corresponding permanent stream.

This visa is for people who operated a business in Australia under a 188 business stream, or who held an investor, significant investor, premium investor or entrepreneur stream visa and are applying for the permanent stage attached to that pathway. Different streams have different criteria, such as time spent in Australia, business activity, investment activity or meeting endorsement requirements.

This visa is for people who may include family members in the application, if the migration rules for their stream allow that at time of lodgement and decision. Family members can affect both the evidence needed and the total government charge.

What it costs#

The government visa application charge listed for the subclass 888 is:

• Main applicant: $3,655
• Additional applicant 18 or over: $1,825
• Additional applicant under 18: $915

That government charge is set by the Department and is the same no matter who lodges it, whether that is the applicant personally, a registered migration agent, or an Australian legal practitioner. Charges are indexed and usually change on 1 July.

These figures are the government charge only. They do not include what a registered migration agent or lawyer may charge for professional services, and they do not include third-party costs such as health examinations, police certificates, translations, document certification or obtaining company, tax or financial records.

Professional fees vary because some 888 applications are document-heavy. Fees often depend on the stream, how many family members are included, how complete the records are, and whether the representative is only preparing the application or also handling follow-up requests from the Department.

How long it takes#

Processing times can vary a lot. They depend on the stream, how complete the application is when lodged, how quickly supporting documents are provided, and whether the Department needs extra checks.

Some applications move faster because the records are clear and current. Others take longer because business ownership documents, tax records, investment records or identity documents need further review, or because health and character checks are still outstanding for family members.

Published processing times can change over time. The Department may also prioritise some caseloads differently, so a timeframe seen on one date may not match a later period.

What the process involves#

The process usually starts by confirming the correct permanent stream linked to the 188 visa that has been held. The subclass 888 is a permanent stage after holding a 188, so the application is tied to that earlier visa history and the stream requirements that apply to it.

The application is generally lodged online through ImmiAccount. The form and document checklist will depend on the stream, but applications commonly include identity documents, relationship documents for family members, and evidence about business or investment activity during the provisional visa period.

For business streams, the evidence can include documents about ownership, turnover, Australian Business Number records, Business Activity Statements, company extracts, tax returns, payroll records and proof of ongoing business operations. For investor-type streams, the evidence can include records of complying investments, fund statements, transaction records and evidence that the investment was held in line with visa requirements.

The Department may ask for updated documents after lodgement. This can happen if a passport has expired, a police certificate is too old for decision purposes, or the original application did not include enough evidence to show the required business or investment history.

If family members are included, they may also need health and character checks. In some cases, a person included in the application may need to provide identity, relationship or custody documents, depending on their age and situation.

A decision is made after the Department has the information it needs. If the visa is granted, it becomes a permanent visa. If the applicant is in Australia at time of grant, the grant notice will usually set out the visa start date and any travel facility details.

What commonly goes wrong#

One common problem is incomplete evidence. The subclass 888 often depends on records built up over time, and missing tax returns, company documents, investment statements or proof of residence can slow a case down or lead to concerns about whether the requirements have been demonstrated.

Another issue is inconsistent information across documents. A business name may match one record while the entity name on ASIC, tax or bank records shows something slightly different. Dates can also conflict, especially where a business changed structure, added shareholders or transferred assets during the 188 period.

Expired documents are a practical problem. Passports, police certificates and some identity documents can expire while the application is in progress, and the Department may ask for updated versions before a decision is made. If a family member turns 18 during processing, the evidence needed for that person can also change.

Some applicants do not tell the Department about a change of address, new passport, relationship change or family composition change. Department notices are often sent through ImmiAccount or to the contact details on file, so an outdated address, phone number or email can mean a request is missed.

Business records can also be hard to interpret if they are not presented clearly. For example, turnover figures may appear in accounting software but not match lodged activity statements or tax returns yet. If records are not finalised, signed or supported by source documents, the Department may ask further questions.

Another frequent issue is assuming the 188 visa conditions and rights simply continue during the 888 process. If a bridging visa comes into effect, it does not automatically carry the same travel rights, work rights or conditions as the substantive visa it replaces. The actual rights depend on the bridging visa grant and any conditions attached to it.

Applications can also be delayed where family member documents are left until late. Birth certificates, marriage records, divorce records, custody orders and translated documents can take time to obtain. If those documents are requested after lodgement, response deadlines may feel short.

It is also common for documents from overseas to need translation. The Department usually expects documents not in English to be accompanied by an English translation, and unclear scans or partial translations can create extra requests.

Finally, some people assume that because they held a 188 visa, the permanent stage is automatic. It is not automatic. The permanent stage still requires an application, supporting evidence and a decision by the Department.

Frequently asked questions#

What is the subclass 888 visa?#

The subclass 888 is a permanent business visa. It is the permanent stage after holding a 188.

It is part of Australia's business migration program. The exact stream used for the 888 depends on the 188 stream that was previously held.

How much is the government fee for the 888 visa?#

The government charge is $3,655 for the main applicant. It is $1,825 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over, and $915 for each additional applicant under 18.

These are government charges only. They are separate from any professional fee charged by a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner.

Do I need to be in Australia to apply for the 888 visa?#

Location requirements can depend on the stream and the rules in force at the time of application and decision. The Department's current legislative settings and form instructions need to be checked carefully.

For some applicants, travel plans matter because a bridging visa may only come into effect in Australia. Travel rights during processing should always be checked against the actual visa grant notice.

Can family members be included in a subclass 888 application?#

Family members can often be included, subject to the rules that apply to the application at time of lodgement and decision. The evidence needed usually includes identity and relationship documents, and in some cases health and character checks.

Including family members changes the total government charge. It can also add to processing time if documents are incomplete or need to be obtained from overseas.

Is the 888 visa automatic after the 188 visa?#

No. Holding a subclass 188 does not automatically convert to a subclass 888.

A separate application is lodged for the permanent stage. The Department then assesses the application against the requirements of the relevant stream and the evidence provided.

About this page. This is general information about how the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888) works. It is not immigration assistance and it is not advice about your situation. Under section 280 of the Migration Act 1958 only a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner can give you that. Charges are indexed and most change on 1 July, so check any figure against immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before you rely on it, and check any agent's registration on the OMARA register.