# Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent)

> visa-888 — as in force on 2026-06-01 — F2026C00497 · Compilation No. 287 — https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2026C00497/latest/text

Subclass 888—Business Innovation and Investment
        (Permanent)
888.1—Interpretation

888.111
               In this Part:
               designated investment means an investment in a security that is specified for this
               Part by the Minister under regulation 5.19A.
               Note 1:   For AUD, fiscal year, ownership interest and qualifying business: see regulation 1.03.
               Note 2:   Regulation 1.03 also provides that member of the family unit has the meaning set out
                         in regulation 1.12.
               Note 3:   main business is defined in regulation 1.11.
               Note 4:   For the beneficial ownership of an asset, eligible investment or ownership interest: see
                         regulation 1.11A.
               Note 5:   Complying investment is defined in regulation 5.19B.
               Note 6:   Complying significant investment is defined in regulation 5.19C.
               Note 7:   Complying premium investment is defined in regulation 5.19D.


888.2—Primary criteria
               Note:     The primary criteria for the grant of a Subclass 888 visa include criteria set out in
                         streams.
                         If an applicant applies for a Subclass 888 visa in the Business Innovation stream, the
                         criteria in Subdivisions 888.21 and 888.22 are the primary criteria for the grant of the
                         visa.
                         If an applicant applies for a Subclass 888 visa in the Investor stream, the criteria in
                         Subdivisions 888.21 and 888.23 are the primary criteria for the grant of the visa.
                         If an applicant applies for a Subclass 888 visa in the Significant Investor stream, the
                         criteria in Subdivisions 888.21 and 888.24 are the primary criteria for the grant of the
                         visa.
                         If an applicant applies for a Subclass 888 visa in the Premium Investor stream, the
                         criteria in Subdivisions 888.21 and 888.25 are the primary criteria for the grant of the
                         visa.
                         If an applicant applies for a Subclass 888 visa in the Entrepreneur stream, the criteria in
                         Subdivisions 888.21 and 888.26 are the primary criteria for the grant of the visa.
                         The primary criteria must be satisfied by at least one member of a family unit. The
                         other members of the family unit who are applicants for a visa of this subclass need
                         satisfy only the secondary criteria.
                         All criteria must be satisfied at the time a decision is made on the application.

888.21—Common criteria
               Note:     These criteria are for all applicants seeking to satisfy the primary criteria for a Subclass
                         888 visa.









888.211
          (1) The following persons must not have a history of involvement in business or
              investment activities that are of a nature that is not generally acceptable in
              Australia:
                (a) the applicant (the primary applicant);
                (b) the primary applicant’s spouse or de facto partner;
                (c) the person covered by subclause (2).
          (2) This subclause covers a person if:
               (a) at the time of application, the person was the spouse or de facto partner of
                    the primary applicant; and
               (b) the relationship between the primary applicant and the person has ceased;
                    and
               (c) one or more of the following has experienced family violence committed
                    by the primary applicant:
                      (i) the person;
                     (ii) a member of the family unit of the person who has made a combined
                          application with the person or with the primary applicant;
                    (iii) a dependent child of the person or of the primary applicant.

888.212
               The nominating State or Territory government agency or the CEO of Austrade
               has not withdrawn the nomination.

888.213
               The applicant genuinely has a realistic commitment to maintain business or
               investment activities in Australia.

888.214
          (1) The following persons must have a satisfactory record of compliance with the
              laws of the Commonwealth, and of each State or Territory in which the applicant
              (the primary applicant) operates a business and employs employees in the
              business, relating to the primary applicant’s business:
                (a) the primary applicant;
                (b) the primary applicant’s spouse or de facto partner;
                (c) the person covered by subclause (2).
               Note:    Those laws include laws relating to taxation, superannuation and workplace relations.

          (2) This subclause covers a person if:
               (a) at the time of application, the person was the spouse or de facto partner of
                    the primary applicant; and
               (b) the relationship between the primary applicant and the person has ceased;
                    and








                  (c) the Minister is satisfied that one or more of the following has experienced
                      family violence committed by the primary applicant:
                        (i) the person;
                       (ii) a member of the family unit of the person who has made a combined
                            application with the person or with the primary applicant;
                      (iii) a dependent child of the person or of the primary applicant.

888.215
          (1) The applicant (the primary applicant) satisfies public interest criteria 4001,
              4002, 4003, 4004, 4007, 4010, 4020 and 4021.
          (2) If the primary applicant has turned 18 at the time of application, the primary
              applicant satisfies public interest criterion 4019.
          (3) Each person who is covered by subclause (4), (5) or (6) satisfies public interest
              criteria 4001, 4002, 4003, 4004, 4007, 4010 and 4020.
          (4) This subclause covers a person who is a member of the family unit of the
              primary applicant who is also an applicant for a Subclass 888 visa.
          (5) This subclause covers a person (the relevant person) if:
               (a) the relevant person was, at the time of the primary applicant’s application,
                    a member of the family unit of the primary applicant; and
               (b) the relevant person is an applicant for a Subclass 888 visa; and
               (c) the Minister is satisfied that one or more of the following has experienced
                    family violence committed by the primary applicant:
                      (i) the relevant person;
                     (ii) a member of the family unit of the relevant person who has made a
                          combined application with the relevant person or with the primary
                          applicant;
                    (iii) a dependent child of the relevant person or of the primary applicant.
               Note:      For special provisions relating to family violence, see Division 1.5.

          (6) This subclause covers a person if:
               (a) the person was, at the time of the primary applicant’s application, a
                    member of the family unit of the primary applicant but is no longer a
                    member of the family unit of the primary applicant; and
               (b) the person is an applicant for a Subclass 888 visa; and
               (c) the person is a member of the family unit of a person covered by
                    subclause (5).
          (7) Each person:
               (a) who either:
                     (i) is a member of the family unit of the primary applicant and also an
                         applicant for a Subclass 888 visa; or
                    (ii) is covered by subclause (5) or (6); and
               (b) who had turned 18 at the time of the primary applicant’s application;







               satisfies public interest criterion 4019.
          (8) If a person:
                (a) either:
                      (i) is a member of the family unit of the primary applicant and also an
                          applicant for a Subclass 888 visa; or
                     (ii) is covered by subclause (5) or (6); and
                (b) has not turned 18;
              public interest criteria 4015 and 4016 are satisfied in relation to the person.

888.215A
          (1) Each person:
                (a) who is a member of the family unit of the applicant; and
                (b) who is not an applicant for a Subclass 888 visa;
              satisfies public interest criteria 4001, 4002, 4003 and 4004, and satisfies public
              interest criterion 4007, unless the Minister is satisfied that it would be
              unreasonable to require the person to undergo assessment in relation to that
              criterion.
          (2) Each person:
                (a) who was, at the time of the applicant’s application, a member of the family
                     unit of the applicant but is no longer a member of the family unit of the
                     applicant; and
                (b) who is a member of the family unit of a person who is covered by
                     subclause 888.215(5) or (6); and
                (c) who is not an applicant for a Subclass 888 visa;
              satisfies public interest criteria 4001, 4002, 4003 and 4004, and satisfies public
              interest criterion 4007, unless the Minister is satisfied that it would be
              unreasonable to require the person to undergo assessment in relation to that
              criterion.

888.216
          (1) The applicant satisfies special return criteria 5001, 5002 and 5010.
          (2) Each person covered by subclause 888.215(4), (5) or (6) who is an applicant for
              a Subclass 888 visa satisfies special return criteria 5001, 5002 and 5010.

888.22—Criteria for Business Innovation stream
               Note:     These criteria are only for applicants seeking to satisfy the primary criteria for a
                         Subclass 888 visa in the Business Innovation stream.


888.221
          (1) The applicant has been in Australia, as the holder of one or more visas mentioned
              in the table in subitem 1104BA(4) of Schedule 1 (the relevant table):








                 (a) if the applicant is covered by any of subclauses (1A) to (1F)—for a total
                     period of at least one year in the 2 years immediately before the application
                     was made; or
                 (b) otherwise—for a total period of at least one year in the 3 years immediately
                     before the application was made.
        (1A) The applicant is covered by this subclause if:
              (a) at the time of application, the applicant held the visa mentioned in
                  item 1AA of the relevant table; and
              (b) the applicant was invited to apply for that visa before 1 July 2021.
        (1B) The applicant is covered by this subclause if:
              (a) at the time of application, the applicant held the visa mentioned in item 1 of
                  the relevant table; and
              (b) the applicant was invited, before 1 July 2021, to apply for the Subclass 188
                  (Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional)) visa in the Business
                  Innovation stream held by the applicant.
        (1C) The applicant is covered by this subclause if, at the time of application, the
             applicant met the requirements in item 1A of the relevant table.
        (1D) The applicant is covered by this subclause if:
              (a) at the time of application, the applicant held the secondary visa mentioned
                  in item 2 of the relevant table; and
              (b) the primary visa holder mentioned in that item was invited, before 1 July
                  2021, to apply for the Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment
                  (Provisional)) visa in the Business Innovation stream held by the primary
                  visa holder.
        (1E) The applicant is covered by this subclause if, at the time of application, the
             applicant met the requirements in item 2A of the relevant table.
         (1F) The applicant is covered by this subclause if:
               (a) at the time of application, the applicant held the visa mentioned in item 3 or
                   4 of the relevant table; and
               (b) if the applicant held the visa mentioned in item 3 of the relevant table—the
                   visa was granted before 1 July 2021.
          (2) For the purposes of subclause (1), an applicant is taken to have been in Australia
              during a period if:
               (a) the applicant was outside Australia during a concession period; and
               (b) during the concession period the applicant was the holder of one or more
                    visas mentioned in item 1AA, 1 or 2 of the table in subitem 1104BA(4) of
                    Schedule 1; and
               (c) the first such visa was granted to the applicant before 1 July 2019.

888.222
          (1) The applicant (the current applicant):







                 (a) had an ownership interest in at least one actively operating main business
                     in Australia during the 2 years immediately before the application was
                     made; and
                 (b) continues to have the ownership interest in the actively operating main
                     business.
          (2) If the current applicant acquired the ownership interest from another person who
              was an applicant for, or held, a Business Skills (Permanent) (Class EC) visa or a
              Business Skills (Residence) (Class DF) visa at the time of the acquisition, the
              current applicant must have held the ownership interest with that person as a
              joint interest for at least one year before the current applicant’s application was
              made.

888.223
               An Australian Business Number has been obtained for each business mentioned
               in subclause 888.222(1).

888.224
               Each Business Activity Statement required by the Commissioner of Taxation
               during the 2 years immediately before the application was made has been
               submitted to the Commissioner and has been included in the application.

888.225
          (1) If the nominating State or Territory government agency has not determined that
              there are exceptional circumstances:
                (a) the requirements in at least 2 of subclauses (2) to (4) are met; and
                (b) the requirement in subclause (5) is met.
          (2) The assets owned by the applicant, the applicant’s spouse or de facto partner, or
              the applicant and his or her spouse or de facto partner together, in the main
              business or main businesses in Australia:
                (a) had a net value of at least AUD200 000 throughout the period of 12 months
                    immediately before the application was made; and
                (b) continue to have a net value of at least AUD200 000; and
                (c) were lawfully acquired.
          (3) In the period of 12 months immediately before the application was made:
                (a) the main business in Australia, or main businesses in Australia, of the
                    applicant, the applicant’s spouse or de facto partner, or the applicant and
                    his or her spouse or de facto partner together provided employment in
                    Australia to 2 or more employees for a total number of hours that was at
                    least the total number of hours that would have been worked by 2 full-time
                    employees; and
                (b) each employee whose employment is used to work out that total number of
                    hours:








                        (i) was not the applicant or a member of the family unit of the applicant
                            during that period; and
                       (ii) was an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident or the
                            holder of a valid New Zealand passport during that period.
          (4) The business and personal assets in Australia of the applicant, the applicant’s
              spouse or de facto partner, or the applicant and his or her spouse
              or de facto partner together:
                (a) had a net value of at least AUD600 000 in the period of 12 months ending
                    immediately before the application was made; and
               (b) continue to have a net value of at least AUD600 000; and
                (c) were lawfully acquired.
          (5) The main business in Australia, or main businesses in Australia, of the applicant,
              the applicant’s spouse or de facto partner, or the applicant and his or her spouse
              or de facto partner together, had an annual turnover of at least AUD300 000 in
              the 12 months immediately before the application was made.

888.226
          (1) Subclause (2) or (3) applies.
          (2) All of the following apply:
               (a) the nominating State or Territory government agency has determined that
                    there are exceptional circumstances;
               (b) the requirements set out in at least 2 of subclauses 888.225(2) to (4) have
                    been met;
               (c) the applicant:
                      (i) resides in an area specified by the Minister in an instrument in writing
                          for this subparagraph; and
                     (ii) operates the applicant’s main business or businesses in Australia in
                          the area.
          (3) Both of the following apply:
               (a) the nominating State or Territory government agency has determined that
                   there are exceptional circumstances;
               (b) the requirement set out in subclause 888.225(5) has been met.

888.23—Criteria for Investor stream
               Note:      These criteria are only for applicants seeking to satisfy the primary criteria for a
                          Subclass 888 visa in the Investor stream.


888.231
          (1) The applicant has been in Australia, as the holder of a visa mentioned in the table
              in subitem 1104BA(5) of Schedule 1 (the relevant table):









                 (a) if the applicant is covered by any of subclauses (1A) to (1C)—for a total
                     period of at least 2 years in the 4 years immediately before the application
                     was made; or
                 (b) otherwise—for a total period of at least 2 years in the 3 years immediately
                     before the application was made.
        (1A) The applicant is covered by this subclause if:
              (a) at the time of application, the applicant held the visa mentioned in item 1 of
                  the relevant table; and
              (b) the applicant was invited to apply for that visa before 1 July 2021.
        (1B) The applicant is covered by this subclause if:
              (a) at the time of application, the applicant held the secondary visa mentioned
                  in item 2 of the relevant table; and
              (b) the primary visa holder mentioned in that item was invited to apply for the
                  primary visa mentioned in that item before 1 July 2021.
        (1C) The applicant is covered by this subclause if, at the time of application, the
             applicant met the requirements in item 3 or 4 of the relevant table.
          (2) For the purposes of subclause (1), an applicant is taken to have been in Australia
              during a period if:
               (a) the applicant was outside Australia during a concession period; and
               (b) during the concession period the applicant was the holder of a visa
                    mentioned in the table in subitem 1104BA(5) of Schedule 1; and
               (c) the visa was granted to the applicant before 1 July 2019.

888.232
               If the applicant is covered by any of subclauses 888.231(1A) to (1C), either of
               the following paragraphs apply:
                 (a) the designated investment made by the applicant for the purpose of
                      satisfying a criterion for the grant of a Subclass 188 (Business Innovation
                      and Investment (Provisional)) visa has been held continuously in the name
                      of the applicant, or in the names of the applicant and the applicant’s spouse
                      or de facto partner together, for:
                        (i) if the Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment
                            (Provisional)) visa was granted on the basis of an application made
                            before 1 July 2015—at least 3 years and 11 months; or
                       (ii) if the Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment
                            (Provisional)) visa was granted on the basis of an application made on
                            or after 1 July 2015—at least 4 years; or
                 (b) the applicant withdrew funds from, or cancelled, the designated investment
                      during a concession period and the following requirements are satisfied:
                        (i) the applicant holds or held a Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and
                            Investment (Provisional)) visa that was granted before 1 July 2019;









                        (ii) the applicant was resident in Australia for a period of at least 2 years
                             immediately before the applicant first withdrew funds from, or
                             cancelled, the designated investment;
                       (iii) the designated investment was held continuously in the name of the
                             applicant, or in the names of the applicant and the applicant’s spouse
                             or de facto partner together, during that period;
                       (iv) the applicant did not withdraw funds from, or cancel any part of, the
                             designated investment outside of the concession period.

888.233
               Unless the applicant is covered by any of subclauses 888.231(1A) to (1C), the
               applicant has held a complying significant investment for the whole of the period
               during which the applicant held a Subclass 188 visa.

888.24—Criteria for Significant Investor stream
               Note:      These criteria are only for applicants seeking to satisfy the primary criteria for a
                          Subclass 888 visa in the Significant Investor stream.


888.241
          (1) If the applicant is covered by any of subclauses (1A) to (1D), at the time of
              application:
                (a) the applicant has held a Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment
                     (Provisional)) visa in the Significant Investor stream for a continuous
                     period of 4 years; or
                (b) the applicant has held a Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment
                     (Provisional)) visa in the Significant Investor stream and one or more
                     Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional)) visas in
                     the Significant Investor Extension stream for a continuous period of 4
                     years; or
                (c) the applicant:
                       (i) has held, for a continuous period of 3 years and 11 months, a Subclass
                           188 (Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional)) visa in the
                           Significant Investor stream applied for before 1 July 2015; and
                      (ii) has not held a Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment
                           (Provisional)) visa in the Significant Investor Extension stream
                           granted on the basis of the visa mentioned in subparagraph (i); or
                (d) the applicant:
                       (i) has held a Subclass 188 visa in the Significant Investor stream that
                           was granted before 1 July 2019; but
                      (ii) no longer holds the visa because the visa expired during a concession
                           period.
      (1AA) If, at the time of application, the applicant met the requirements in item 2 or 4 of
            the table in subitem 1104BA(5A) of Schedule 1 (the relevant table), a reference
            in subclause (1), (2A) or (2B) to a Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and
            Investment (Provisional)) visa in the Significant Investor stream or the







               Significant Investor Extension stream is taken to be a reference to a Subclass 188
               (Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional)) visa granted on the basis that
               the applicant was the spouse or de facto partner of a person who held a Subclass
               188 (Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional)) visa in the Significant
               Investor stream or the Significant Investor Extension stream.
        (1A) The applicant is covered by this subclause if:
              (a) at the time of application, the applicant held the visa mentioned in item 1A
                  of the relevant table; and
              (b) the applicant was invited to apply for that visa before 1 July 2021.
        (1B) The applicant is covered by this subclause if:
              (a) at the time of application, the applicant held the visa mentioned in item 1 of
                  the relevant table; and
              (b) the applicant was invited, before 1 July 2021, to apply for the Subclass 188
                  (Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional)) visa in the Significant
                  Investor stream held by the applicant.
        (1C) The applicant is covered by this subclause if:
              (a) at the time of application, the applicant held the secondary visa mentioned
                  in item 2 of the relevant table; and
              (b) the primary visa holder mentioned in that item was invited, before 1 July
                  2021, to apply for the Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment
                  (Provisional)) visa in the Significant Investor stream held by the primary
                  visa holder.
        (1D) The applicant is covered by this subclause if, at the time of application, the
             applicant met the requirements in item 3 or 4 of the relevant table.
          (2) The applicant meets the requirements of subclause (2A) or (2B).
        (2A) Both of the following apply:
              (a) the most recent Subclass 188 visa in the Significant Investor stream held by
                  the applicant (which may be the visa currently held by the applicant) was
                  granted on the basis of an application made before 1 July 2015;
              (b) the applicant has held, for the whole of the period during which the
                  applicant has held the visas or visa mentioned in subclause (1), a
                  complying investment within the meaning of regulation 5.19B as in force
                  at the time the application mentioned in paragraph (a) was made.
        (2B) Both of the following apply:
              (a) the most recent Subclass 188 visa in the Significant Investor stream held by
                  the applicant (which may be the visa currently held by the applicant) was
                  granted on the basis of an application made on or after 1 July 2015;
              (b) the applicant has held a complying significant investment (within the
                  meaning of regulation 5.19C as in force at the time the application
                  mentioned in paragraph (a) was made) for:









                        (i) if the applicant is covered by any of subclauses (1A) to (1D)—the
                            whole of the period during which the applicant has held the visas or
                            visa mentioned in subclause (1); or
                       (ii) otherwise—the whole of the period during which the applicant has
                            held the visa on the basis of which the applicant met the requirements
                            in an item of the relevant table.
          (3) For any part of the investment mentioned in subclause (2A) or (2B) for the
              applicant that is, or was, a direct investment in an Australian proprietary
              company:
                (a) if the period of the direct investment was less than 2 years, the company
                    was a qualifying business for the whole period; or
               (b) if the period of the direct investment was 2 years or more, the company
                    was a qualifying business for at least 2 years; or
                (c) if the company has been unable to operate as a qualifying business, the
                    Minister is satisfied that the applicant made a genuine attempt to operate
                    the business as a qualifying business.
          (4) The applicant has given the Minister:
               (a) if subclause (2A) applies to the applicant—a completed copy of approved
                   form 1413 for each investment in a managed fund on which the investment
                   mentioned in that subclause is based; or
               (b) if subclause (2B) applies to the applicant—evidence that the applicant
                   holds an investment as required for that subclause.
               Note:      Approved form 1413 includes a declaration that the investments made by a managed
                          fund for the benefit of clients are limited to one or more of the purposes specified by
                          the Minister for paragraph 5.19B(2)(c).


888.242
          (1) The applicant meets the requirements of subclause (2) or (3).
          (2) The applicant has been in Australia for at least the number of days worked out by
              adding the results of paragraphs (a) and (b):
                (a) 40 multiplied by the number of complete years in the period in which the
                    applicant has held a Subclass 188 visa in the Significant Investor stream;
                    and
               (b) 40 multiplied by the number of years (if any) (treating a part of a year as 1
                    year) in the period in which the applicant has held a Subclass 188 visa in
                    the Significant Investor Extension stream.
        (2A) For the purposes of working out, under subclause (2), the number of days the
             applicant has been in Australia, the applicant is taken to have been in Australia
             during a period if:
               (a) the applicant was outside Australia during a concession period; and
              (b) during the concession period the applicant held a Subclass 188 visa in the
                   Significant Investor stream or a Subclass 188 visa in the Significant
                   Investor Extension stream; and








                  (c) the Subclass 188 visa in the Significant Investor stream was granted to the
                      applicant before 1 July 2019.
          (3) The applicant’s spouse or de facto partner has been in Australia on a Subclass
              188 visa, granted on the basis that the applicant held a Subclass 188 visa in the
              Significant Investor stream or the Significant Investor Extension stream, for at
              least the number of days worked out by adding the results of paragraphs (a) and
              (b):
                (a) 180 multiplied by the number of complete years in the period in which the
                     applicant held a Subclass 188 visa in the Significant Investor stream; and
                (b) 180 multiplied by the number of years (if any) (treating a part of a year as 1
                     year) in which the applicant held a Subclass 188 visa in the Significant
                     Investor Extension stream.
          (4) For the purposes of working out, under subclause (3), the number of days the
              applicant’s spouse or de facto partner has been in Australia, the spouse or partner
              is taken to have been in Australia during a period if:
                (a) the spouse or partner was outside Australia during a concession period; and
                (b) during the concession period the spouse or partner held a Subclass 188
                    visa, granted on the basis that the applicant held a Subclass 188 visa in the
                    Significant Investor stream or a Subclass 188 visa in the Significant
                    Investor Extension stream; and
                (c) the Subclass 188 visa in the Significant Investor stream was granted to the
                    applicant before 1 July 2019.
               Note:      It is not necessary for the applicant to have been in Australia for 40 days in each year in
                          the period or the applicant’s spouse or de facto partner to have been in Australia for
                          180 days in each year in the period.

888.25—Criteria for Premium Investor stream
               Note:      These criteria are only for applicants seeking to satisfy the primary criteria for a
                          Subclass 888 visa in the Premium Investor stream.


888.251
          (1) At the time of application the applicant has held a Subclass 188 (Business
              Innovation and Investment (Provisional)) visa in the Premium Investor stream
              for a continuous period of at least 12 months.
          (2) For the whole of the period during which the applicant has held the visa
              mentioned in subclause (1), the applicant has held a complying premium
              investment (within the meaning of regulation 5.19D as in force at the time the
              application for that visa was made) except any part of the investment that is a
              philanthropic contribution.
          (3) For any part of the complying premium investment (except any part of the
              investment that is a philanthropic contribution) that is, or was, a direct
              investment in an Australian proprietary company:
                (a) the company was a qualifying business for the whole period; or








                 (b) if the company has been unable to operate as a qualifying business, the
                     Minister is satisfied that the applicant made a genuine attempt to operate
                     the business as a qualifying business.
          (4) The applicant has given the Minister evidence that the investment complies with
              the requirements set out in regulation 5.19D as in force at the time of application.

888.26—Criteria for Entrepreneur stream
               Note:     These criteria are only for applicants seeking to satisfy the primary criteria for a
                         Subclass 888 visa in the Entrepreneur stream.


888.261
          (1) At the time of application the applicant:
               (a) holds a Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional))
                    visa in the Entrepreneur stream and has done so for a continuous period of
                    at least:
                      (i) if the applicant was invited to apply for that visa before 1 July 2021—
                          4 years; or
                     (ii) otherwise—3 years; and
               (b) either:
                      (i) if the applicant was invited to apply for that visa before 1 July 2021—
                          has resided in Australia for at least 2 years of the 4 years mentioned in
                          subparagraph (a)(i); or
                     (ii) otherwise—has resided in Australia for at least 2 years while holding
                          a Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional))
                          visa in the Entrepreneur stream.
        (1A) If:
               (a) the applicant was outside Australia during a concession period; and
               (b) during the concession period the applicant held a Subclass 188 (Business
                   Innovation and Investment (Provisional)) visa in the Entrepreneur stream
                   (the qualifying visa); and
               (c) the qualifying visa was granted before 1 July 2019; and
               (d) the qualifying visa expired during the concession period while the
                   applicant was outside Australia and before the application was made;
             then the applicant is taken to satisfy paragraph (1)(a) at the time of application.
        (1B) If:
               (a) the applicant was outside Australia during a concession period; and
               (b) during the concession period the applicant held a Subclass 188 (Business
                   Innovation and Investment (Provisional)) visa in the Entrepreneur stream;
                   and
               (c) the visa was granted before 1 July 2019;
             then, for the purposes of working out under paragraph (1)(b) the length of time
             the applicant has resided in Australia, the applicant is taken to have resided in









               Australia during any period the applicant held the visa outside Australia during
               the concession period.
          (2) The applicant has demonstrated overall a successful record of undertaking,
              whether alone or by participating in a business, activities of an entrepreneurial
              nature (disregarding activities specified in an instrument made under
              subregulation 5.19E(6) for the purposes of paragraph 5.19E(2)(b)):
                (a) in Australia; and
               (b) while holding a Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment
                    (Provisional)) visa in the Entrepreneur stream.
          (3) In determining the success of the applicant’s record for the purposes of
              subclause (2), the Minister must have regard to the following (without
              limitation):
                (a) the number of Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents that
                    are employed in Australia in relation to the activities;
                (b) the level and nature of ongoing funding of, or investment in, the activities;
                (c) the annual turnover of businesses related to the activities;
                (d) any endorsement of the applicant’s record by a body recognised by the
                    nominating State or Territory government agency as a start-up incubator,
                    start-up accelerator or other body that assists start-up businesses.

888.3—Secondary criteria
               Note:    These criteria are for applicants seeking to satisfy the secondary criteria. All criteria
                        must be satisfied at the time a decision is made on the application.

888.31—Criteria

888.311
          (1) The applicant meets the requirements of subclause (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6).
          (2) The applicant meets the requirements of this subclause if the applicant:
               (a) is the member of the family unit of a person (the primary applicant) who
                   holds a Subclass 888 visa granted on the basis of satisfying the primary
                   criteria for the grant of the visa; and
               (b) made a combined application with the primary applicant.
          (3) The applicant meets the requirements of this subclause if:
               (a) at the time of the application, the applicant was the spouse
                   or de facto partner of a person (the primary applicant) seeking to satisfy
                   the primary criteria for the grant of a Subclass 888 visa, and the primary
                   applicant has since been granted that visa; and
               (b) the relationship between the primary applicant and the applicant has
                   ceased; and
               (c) one or more of the following has experienced family violence committed
                   by the primary applicant:
                     (i) the applicant;







                      (ii) a member of the family unit of the applicant who has made a
                           combined application with the applicant or with the primary applicant;
                     (iii) a dependent child of the applicant or of the primary applicant; and
                 (d) the applicant:
                       (i) was in Australia at the time the applicant’s visa application was made;
                           or
                      (ii) entered Australia after the applicant’s visa application was made.
          (4) The applicant meets the requirements of this subclause if:
               (a) at the time of the application, the applicant was the spouse
                   or de facto partner of a person (the primary applicant) seeking to satisfy
                   the primary criteria for the grant of a Subclass 888 visa; and
               (b) the relationship between the primary applicant and the applicant has
                   ceased; and
               (c) one or more of the following has experienced family violence committed
                   by the primary applicant:
                     (i) the applicant;
                    (ii) a member of the family unit of the applicant who has made a
                         combined application with the applicant or with the primary applicant;
                   (iii) a dependent child of the applicant or of the primary applicant; and
               (d) the applicant:
                     (i) was in Australia at the time the applicant’s visa application was made;
                         or
                    (ii) entered Australia after the applicant’s visa application was made; and
               (e) the Minister has decided to refuse to grant the primary applicant the visa
                   for reasons including that the primary applicant had engaged in conduct
                   involving family violence (whether or not the family violence was against a
                   person mentioned in paragraph (c)).
          (5) The applicant meets the requirements of this subclause if:
               (a) at the time of the application, the applicant was the spouse
                   or de facto partner of a person (the primary applicant) seeking to satisfy
                   the primary criteria for the grant of a Subclass 888 visa; and
               (b) the relationship between the primary applicant and the applicant has
                   ceased; and
               (c) one or more of the following has experienced family violence committed
                   by the primary applicant:
                     (i) the applicant;
                    (ii) a member of the family unit of the applicant who has made a
                         combined application with the applicant or with the primary applicant;
                   (iii) a dependent child of the applicant or of the primary applicant; and
               (d) the applicant:
                     (i) was in Australia at the time the applicant’s visa application was made;
                         or
                    (ii) entered Australia after the applicant’s visa application was made; and








                  (e) the Minister has decided to refuse to grant the primary applicant the visa
                      for reasons that the primary applicant does not meet the requirements of
                      clause 888.225, 888.232 or 888.242; and
                  (f) the primary applicant would have met the requirements of the clause had
                      the relationship between the primary applicant and the applicant not
                      ceased.
          (6) The applicant meets the requirements of this subclause if:
               (a) the applicant is a member of the family unit of a person (the secondary
                   applicant) who meets the requirements of subclause (3), (4) or (5); and
               (b) the applicant has made a combined application with the secondary
                   applicant or the primary applicant mentioned in subclause (3), (4) or (5)
                   (whichever applies to the secondary applicant); and
               (c) a Subclass 888 visa has since been granted to the secondary applicant.
               Note:      For special provisions relating to family violence, see Division 1.5.


888.312
          (1) The applicant satisfies public interest criteria 4001, 4002, 4003, 4004, 4007,
              4010, 4020 and 4021.
          (2) If the applicant had turned 18 at the time of application, the applicant satisfies
              public interest criterion 4019.
          (3) If the applicant has not turned 18, the applicant satisfies public interest criteria
              4017 and 4018.

888.313
               The applicant satisfies special return criteria 5001, 5002 and 5010.

888.314
          (1) This clause applies if the applicant (the secondary applicant) meets the
              requirements of subclause 888.311(3), (4) or (5).
          (2) Each member of the family unit of the secondary applicant who is an applicant
              for a Subclass 888 visa satisfies:
                (a) public interest criteria 4001, 4002, 4003, 4004, 4007, 4010 and 4020; and
                (b) special return criteria 5001, 5002 and 5010.
          (3) Each member of the family unit of the secondary applicant who is an applicant
              for a Subclass 888 visa and who has turned 18 at the time of application satisfies
              public interest criterion 4019.
          (4) Public interest criteria 4015 and 4016 are satisfied in relation to each member of
              the family unit of the secondary applicant who is an applicant for a Subclass 888
              visa and who has not turned 18 at the time of decision.









          (5) Each member of the family unit of the secondary applicant who is not an
              applicant for a Subclass 888 visa:
                (a) satisfies public interest criteria 4001, 4002, 4003 and 4004; and
               (b) satisfies public interest criterion 4007, unless the Minister is satisfied that it
                    would be unreasonable to require the member to undergo assessment in
                    relation to that criterion.

888.4—Circumstances applicable to grant

888.411
               The applicant may be in or outside Australia when the visa is granted, but not in
               immigration clearance.
               Note:     The second instalment of visa application charge must be paid before the visa can be
                         granted.


888.5—When visa is in effect

888.511
               Permanent visa permitting the holder to travel to and enter Australia for 5 years
               from the date of grant.

888.6—Conditions

888.611
               If the applicant is outside Australia when the visa is granted:
                 (a) first entry must be made before the date specified by the Minister; and
                 (b) if the applicant satisfies the secondary criteria for the grant of the visa,
                      condition 8515 may be imposed.
