Queensland welcomes, through this visa pathway, entrepreneurs who want to develop or commercialise their innovative ideas and who have a funding agreement with a specified third party.
This is a state-nominated four-year provisional entrepreneur visa, which is a stream of the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) and a pathway to permanent residency through the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888).
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 you must first meet the Australian Government’s DHA criteria. Visit the DHA website for detailed information.
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.
Please note: this activity must not relate to any of the following excluded categories:
- Residential real estate
- Labour hire
- Purchase of an existing enterprise or a franchisee in Australia.
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) through 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 only assesses EOIs that meet the DHA and BSMQ criteria. You will receive an invitation to lodge an application with BSMQ. You will be requested to provide the following documents which are to be uploaded electronically through the Document Portal link provided in your invitation email.
- QLD State Nomination Application Form
- Business Proposal Summary
- A Comprehensive Business Plan for the entrepreneurial entity
- the Department of Home Affairs 1139A Form
- Legally enforceable agreements to receive funding with a total of least A$200,000 from one of the DHA listed entities.
Note: We no longer accept attachments sent to us by email or hard copies send via post.
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 visa application with the DHA.