Queensland welcomes those interested in owning and managing a new or existing business or making an investment in Queensland.
This visa is a state-nominated four year provisional visa that is a pathway to the Business Innovation and Investment (subclass 888) permanent residency visa.
For this visa, you have a choice of five streams:
- Business Innovation visa (188) is for those interested in owning and managing a new or existing business in Queensland.
- Business Investor visa (188) is for investors or business owners looking to invest in Queensland Treasury Corporation Bonds.
- Significant Investor visa (188) is for those interested in making a significant complying investment in Australia.
- Premium Investor Visa (188) is available at the invitation of the Australian government only with potential recipients nominated by Austrade. It is for highly talented and entrepreneurial individuals who can deliver long-term economic benefit to the country. Please visit the Austrade website for more information.
- Entrepreneur visa (188) is for those who have an innovative business ready to be commercialised.
State nomination for this visa is managed by the Queensland Government through Business and Skilled Migration Queensland (BSMQ) in collaboration with the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
Eligibility criteria
To be considered for Queensland state nomination for a Business Innovation and Investment visa, you must first meet the Australian Government’s DHA criteria. Visit the DHA website for detailed information.
You must also meet BSMQ criteria, which is different for each of the following visa streams.
Business Innovation (Provisional) visa (subclass 188)
To seek Queensland state nomination through this visa stream you must:
- demonstrate that you have net business and personal assets of at least A$800,000 to be transferred to Queensland within two years of your visa being granted, including a minimum of A$200,000 for investment into a business in Queensland
- commit to living in Queensland.
You are permitted to extend this visa for an additional two years or you can apply for permanent residency (subclass 888).
Please note: BSMQ does not nominate entry level franchise, small retail and small hospitality establishments.
Business Investor (Provisional) visa (subclass 188)
To seek Queensland state nomination through this visa stream you must:
- demonstrate that you have net business and personal assets of at least A$2.25 million to be transferred to Queensland within two years of your visa being granted.
- make and maintain your designated investment of at least A$1.5 million in Queensland Treasury Corporation Bonds for at least four years.
- commit to living in Queensland.
At the end of your Investor visa, you can apply for permanent residency (subclass 888). This visa cannot be extended.
Significant Investor (Provisional) visa (subclass 188)
To seek Queensland state nomination through this visa stream you must:
- demonstrate that you have at least A$5 million available for transfer into Australian complying investment frameworks, for four years.
- meet the complying investment frameworks set by Austrade and provide details of your complying investment intentions to BSMQ.
- commit to living in Queensland with additional investments indicated.
You can extend your Significant Investor visa for an additional four years.
Entrepreneur (Provisional) Visa (subclass 188)
To seek Queensland state nomination through this visa stream you must:
- have a funding agreement from a third party* of at least A$200,000 to undertake a complying entrepreneur activity,
- provide a comprehensive company business plan, demonstrating an entrepreneurial activity which relates to an innovative idea that is proposed to lead to the commercialisation of a new or improved product or service or the development of a new enterprise of business,
- provide proof of at least 30% share in the ownership of the entrepreneurial entity at the time of entering into the agreement,
- provide proof of sufficient settlement funds,
- commit to living in Queensland.
It is highly recommended that you arranging a pre-visit meeting with BSMQ to discuss the proposal and application.
At the end of your Entrepreneur visa you can apply for permanent residency (subclass 888).
*Third Party definition
- Commonwealth Government agency
- State or Territory Government
- Publicly Funded Research Organisation
- Investor registered as an Australian Venture Capital Limited Partnership or Early State Venture Capital Limited Partnership
- Specified Higher Education Provider
Application process
Step 1: Review your eligibility criteria, visa conditions and document checklist on the DHA website and the BSMQ website. Ensure you meet both the DHA criteria and BSMQ criteria and have all your documentation ready before you apply.
Step 2: For Queensland state nomination, submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) with SkillSelect. Please ensure all information is included in your EOI. Preference will be given to applicants who select “Queensland” as their nominating state of choice over applicants who select ‘ANY’ state.
Step 3: BSMQ assesses all EOIs that meet DIBP and BSMQ criteria. If you are successful, you will receive an email invitation to lodge an application and be requested to provide the BSMQ required documents. Documents are to be uploaded electronically, through the Document Portal link provided in your invitation email. We no longer accept attachments sent to us by email.
Step 4: When you have received your invitation:
- Upload required documents
- Pay the non-refundable application fee to BSMQ in order to finalise your application.
BSMQ will review your application and may request further information.
Please note: you will be given 14 days to finalise your application from the date of invitation. If you are unable to provide the relevant information within this time frame, you must seek an extension from BSMQ. Applications not finalised within time frames will be closed and applicants will need to submit a new EOI if they wish to re-seek Queensland nomination.
Step 5: Once your completed BSMQ application is received and approved, you will receive an invitation from the DHA to lodge your visa application. You will be given 60 days to lodge your application with the DHA.
Note: Significant Investor visa only – When your DHA case officer advises you to make your complying investment, you must submit your completed and signed the DHA Form 1413D to complete the BSMQ records of your complying investment. It is important for BSMQ to capture this information to assist in your future application for permanent residency.
Extension/renewal of visa (188 – Business Innovation, 188 – Significant Investor)
Please send an email to BSMQ to request and provide reasons for an extension of your visa. As there are different conditions that need to be met in order to apply for an extension, please seek the services of a migration agent prior to applying to BSMQ.
If you are eligible to apply for an extension please send an email and provide us your full name, date of birth and current visa subclass and if we feel you meet requirements, we will send an email requesting further information. A processing fee will apply.
Note: 188A extension applicant should provide evidence of business ownership and participation in the management of the main business for at least two years. For detailed information on extension requirements for 188A and 188SIV, please refer to DHA’s website (188A, 188SIV).
Important information for all applicants