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AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS VISAS
Australian Business Visa & Migration Services
Navigate the modern Australia business migration landscape. With the 188 visa officially closed, we guide founders, entrepreneurs, and executives toward the prestigious National Innovation Visa for entrepreneurs, employer self-sponsorship strategies leading to the 186 permanent business visa, and tailored state-nominated regional solutions.
Registered
Migration Professionals
PR
Permanent Residency Pathways
6–15 Mo.
Typical Processing Time
NIV
New 858 Innovation Visa
CORE CRITERIA
2026 Business & Investor Eligibility
Because the Business Innovation and Investment Visa Australia program closed in 2024, migrating as an entrepreneur requires utilizing new high-bar talent visas or strategic self-sponsorship models.
National Innovation Visa (858)
For elite business founders and major investors with an internationally recognized track record of exceptional achievement looking for a direct, points-free PR pathway.
Self-Sponsorship (482 to 186)
You can establish a genuinely operating Australian corporate entity to sponsor yourself on a Skills in Demand visa, transitioning to the 186 permanent business visa later.
Regional Small Business Owner
Certain states offer the Skilled Work Regional visa business pathway (Subclass 491) if you purchase or start a business in a regional area and meet specific financial and employment thresholds.
High Income Capacity
Innovation Visa candidates must generally prove the capacity to earn above the Fair Work High Income Threshold (approx. AUD 183,100) or secure substantial ongoing venture capital.
Prominent Nominator
The National Innovation Visa requires a formal nomination (Form 1000) from an Australian individual or organization with a national reputation in your target sector.
Genuine Business Need
If utilizing the self-sponsorship route, the Australian business must prove financial viability and a genuine operational need to employ you in the nominated occupation.
Avoid Common Disqualifying Mistakes: Attempting to apply for closed Australia investor visa options like the 188 visa, presenting local business success as "international recognition" for the Innovation Visa, or failing to establish an independent corporate structure for self-sponsorship will lead to immediate rejection.
STEP-BY-STEP
How We Handle Your Business Migration Strategy
We provide end-to-end strategic advisory for entrepreneurs, ensuring you choose the Best visa for entrepreneurs Australia based on your capital, industry, and timeline.
01
Pathway Assessment
We evaluate your executive experience and business assets to determine if the National Innovation Visa, self-sponsorship, or a regional SBO route fits best.
02
Corporate Setup & Nominator Liaison
We guide the establishment of your Australian entity for standard business sponsorship, or assist in securing an eligible nominator for the Innovation Visa.
03
Expression of Interest / Nomination
We submit a highly compelling Expression of Interest for talent pathways, or lodge a robust position nomination proving genuine business need.
04
Digital Visa Lodgement
Upon receiving an invitation or nomination approval, we securely lodge your complete visa application alongside health and character evidence.
05
Operations & PR Transition
We advise on maintaining visa compliance during your business operations, facilitating your transition from temporary statuses to unconditional permanent residency.
EVIDENCE CHECKLIST
Documents Required for Business Pathways
Whether proving global talent or demonstrating corporate viability, a successful business visa demands exhaustive financial and professional documentation.
Innovation Visa Evidence
- International awards, patents, and top-tier media coverage
- Completed Form 1000 from a prominent Australian nominator
- Proof of venture capital funding or high-income earning capacity
- Extensive curriculum vitae detailing sustained global achievement
Self-Sponsorship Evidence
- Australian company registration, ABN/ACN, and corporate trust deeds
- Comprehensive business plan outlining local operations and hiring goals
- Business bank statements and financial viability forecasts
- Employment contract demonstrating market salary rate compliance
Identity & Clearances
- Valid passport bio-data pages for primary applicants and family
- Marriage certificates and birth certificates for included dependents
- International police clearances from all countries lived in for 12+ months
- Medical examination completion slips by an approved panel physician
INVESTMENT & TIMELINES
Business Visa Cost & Processing Schedule
We provide transparent financial forecasting so founders know exactly what government application charges, corporate fees, and professional representation costs to expect.
Department of Home Affairs Fees
Pathway Variable
Government visa fees depend entirely on the selected route. The base charge for the National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858) is AUD $6,235. Self-sponsorship routes (Subclass 482 to 186) involve separate sponsorship, nomination, and visa fees.
* Fees are set by the Department and subject to change — confirm current fees during your initial assessment.
Our Agency Service Fee
Case-Dependent
Our professional service fees are tailored to the complexity of your corporate structure or talent profile. We evaluate your business plan, nominator arrangements, and regional strategy before providing a clear, fixed-quote quotation without hourly billing.
* Our fee covers corporate strategy, EOI formulation, and full visa lodgement representation.
Typical Processing Timelines
6 – 15 Months
Processing times vary heavily. National Innovation Visas are prioritized and often finalized within 6 to 12 months. Establishing a self-sponsored corporate structure and progressing through the nomination and visa stages may take up to 15 months depending on business activity.
* Complex business structures require detailed scrutiny by the Department.
MARN 2619225
Why Work With a Migration Agent for Business Visas?
Can I get PR in Australia as a business owner? Yes, but the landscape has fundamentally changed. What replaced the Business Innovation and Investment visa? The government retired the BIIP because it favored passive investment over active innovation. Now, entrepreneurs must pivot toward the elite National Innovation Visa or utilize the complex self-sponsorship framework.
A frequent cause of refusal in the current environment is attempting to apply outdated strategies. Submitting a National Innovation Visa EOI based solely on running a successful local retail business will fail, as the Department requires proof of global impact. Similarly, attempting self-sponsorship without proving a strict distinction between the sponsored role and ownership functions, or failing to show financial viability, will lead to nomination refusal.
As registered MARN professionals, we answer exactly What business visas are available in Australia in 2026? We build compliant business plans, audit your global achievements, and liaise with industry nominators. Whether you are aiming for the National Innovation Visa for business founders or establishing a local company for self-sponsorship, we secure your commercial and personal future in Australia.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear, direct answers regarding the post-2024 closure of the 188 visa, new innovation pathways, and self-sponsorship rules.
What business visas are available in Australia in 2026?
In 2026, the primary pathways include the new National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858) for exceptional founders and investors, self-sponsorship via the Skills in Demand / 482 visa leading to the 186 permanent business visa, and state-nominated Small Business Owner pathways under the Skilled Work Regional visa (Subclass 491).
Is the 188 visa still open?
No. The Business Innovation and Investment Visa Australia (Subclass 188) program was permanently closed to new applications in July 2024. Current 188 visa holders can still transition to the permanent 888 visa, but no new 188 applications are accepted.
What replaced the Business Innovation and Investment visa?
The Australian Government introduced the National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858) to replace both the BIIP program and the Global Talent visa. This new visa specifically targets high-caliber entrepreneurs, major investors, and researchers who can drive significant economic growth.
Can I get PR in Australia as a business owner?
Yes. While the old BIIP routes are closed, you can achieve PR through the National Innovation Visa if you have an exceptional global track record, or by establishing an Australian company to sponsor yourself under the Subclass 482 visa and transitioning to the 186 permanent business visa.
How can entrepreneurs migrate to Australia now?
Entrepreneurs can migrate via the National Innovation Visa for entrepreneurs, which requires a formal Expression of Interest and a nomination from a prominent Australian individual or organization, or through regional Small Business Owner (SBO) streams.
What is the National Innovation Visa for business founders?
It is an invitation-only permanent residency visa (Subclass 858) designed for internationally recognized innovators, business founders, and major investors. It does not require a points test, but demands proof of exceptional achievement and high-income earning capacity.
Ready to Establish Your Business in Australia?
Speak directly with registered MARN migration agents in Melbourne. Send us a message on WhatsApp to discuss the National Innovation Visa, regional SBO pathways, or setting up a self-sponsored corporate structure.