This visa is the second stage application for permanent residency for holders of the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) or a Special Category visa (subclass 444). It allows you to stay in Queensland on a permanent basis for the purpose of managing a business or investment.
State nomination for the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888) is managed by the Queensland Government through Migration Queensland in collaboration with the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs (HA).
Eligibility criteria
The eligibility criteria is based on your original visa and is different for each of the visa streams.
To be considered for Queensland nomination, you must:
- hold a current Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) or a Special Category visa (subclass 444)
- have fulfilled the requirements of your provisional visa
- demonstrate you meet the Australian Government’s HA criteria for the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888).
- register your application directly with Migration Queensland.
EOIs for 188 – Business Innovation stream lodged before 14 July 2016
- Provide evidence that a minimum of A$500,000 was invested in a main business (or two main businesses) located in Brisbane or the Gold Coast; OR
- Provide evidence that a minimum of A$300,000 was invested in a main business (or two main businesses) located in other regions of Queensland.
- If your current business is different to that initially approved as part of your 188 application, please provide a copy of the written approval from Migration Queensland to change your business. This approval must be granted before proceeding to change your business.
EOIs for 188 – Business Innovation stream lodged after 14 July 2016
- Provide evidence that a minimum of A$200,000 was invested in a main business (or two main businesses) located in Queensland
- If your current business is different to that initially approved as part of your 188 application, please provide a copy of the written approval from Migration Queensland to change your business. This approval must be granted before proceeding to change your business.
New Zealanders on a Special Category visa (subclass 444)
- Provide evidence that a minimum of A$200,000 was invested in a main business (or two main businesses) located in Queensland
- Provide evidence the designated investment in the Queensland Treasury Corporation Bond has been held for at least four years
- Provide evidence that you have been in Queensland for at least two of the last four years
EOIs for subclass 188 – Significant Investor stream lodged before 14 July 2016
- Provide evidence the complying investment has been held for at least four years and continued to provide economic benefit to the Queensland economy during this period.
- Provide confirmation that the investment was maintained as approved at subclass 188 stage or provide a copy of the written approval by Migration Queensland to change your complying investment from your 188 application.
EOIs for subclass 188 – Significant Investor stream lodged after 14 July 2016
- Provide evidence the complying investment has been held for at least four years.
- Provide confirmation that the investment was maintained as approved at subclass 188 stage or provide a copy of the written approval by Migration Queensland to change your complying investment from your 188 application.
- Provide evidence to demonstrate your commitment to Queensland (e.g. reside in Queensland, purchasing properties, studying in Queensland, additional investment in Queensland).
Application process
To be considered for Queensland nomination:
Step 1: Review the eligibility criteria, visa conditions and document checklist on the HA website and Migration Queensland website. Ensure you meet both the HA criteria and Migration Queensland criteria and have all your documentation ready before you apply.
Step 2: You must first register your interest here in order to apply for state nomination.
Step 3: You will then be asked to lodge the requested documentation. If additional information is required, a Migration Queensland officer will contact you by phone or e-mail.
Step 4: When you have uploaded your documents, you will be required to pay a non-refundable application fee to Migration Queensland, in order to finalise your application. Migration Queensland 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 Migration Queensland. Applications not finalised within time frames will be closed and applicants will need to withdraw and register a new application.
Step 5: Once your completed Migration Queensland application is received and approved, you will receive a signed copy of the HA Form 1414 by email to lodge with your visa application. You will be given 90 days to lodge your application with the HA, however you must lodge your visa application before your current visa expires.