1. Before you apply
Expression of interest
To be able to apply for this visa, you must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).
You may then be nominated before being invited to apply.
Your passport
You need a valid passport or other travel document for this visa. If you plan to get a new passport, you should do so before applying for your visa. If you get a new passport after you have lodged your application, give the details of your new passport to one of our offices.
You might be able to update your passport details using ImmiAccount.
2. Gather documents
Documents
You must provide documents to support your application for this visa.
- Applicant documents
- Additional documents
- Business Innovation stream
- Business Innovation extension stream
- Investor stream
- Significant Investor stream
- Significant Investor extension stream
- Entrepreneur stream
If you are applying from China, Macau, Hong Kong or Taiwan please use the document checklist from the Australian Consulate General Hong Kong.
Prepare your documents
You need to provide documents to prove the claims you make in the application. The documents are listed in the Document checklist.
Some documents could take some time to obtain. You should have them ready when you lodge the application to reduce any delays in processing.
3. Apply
Apply online
You must be invited to apply. Your invitation letter will tell you how to lodge your application online using SkillSelect.
Pay the visa application charge by credit card when you apply. You also need to send your supporting documents:
- If you live in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Hong Kong (SAR), Macau (SAR) or Taiwan: send your documents to the Australian Consulate General Hong Kong.
- If you live elsewhere: send your documents by registered post to the Adelaide office in South Australia – attention the Adelaide Business Skills Processing Centre.
- If you are applying under the Entrepreneur stream you will be able to upload your supporting documents electronically with your visa application.
More information
Please refer to preparing your application, for information on:
- certifying and translating documents into English
- communicating with us
- using a migration agent
- authorising another person to receive information from us
- receiving assistance with your application.
You can also contact your case officer at our office for advice about your individual circumstances.
4. After you apply
After you have lodged your application and documents, we will acknowledge that we have received your information.
You can track and manage your application using ImmiAccount.
Wait for a decision
We have visa processing times for each visa.
Your application could take longer if you need character or health checks (including x-rays), if you need to provide more information, or if your application is incomplete.
Outside Australia:
If you apply for this visa from outside Australia, do not make arrangements to travel to Australia until you are advised in writing that you have been granted a visa. Wait for a decision from us before you leave your job, sell your home or book your travel.
In Australia:
If you apply for this visa in Australia, you could be eligible for a Bridging visa that allows you to stay in the country lawfully while your application is processed. If you are given a Bridging visa A, you can apply for a Bridging visa B (BVB) to travel outside Australia while you wait for a decision.
Make your required investment
If you applied under the Investor stream, the Significant Investor stream or the Premium Investor stream, you must make your designated investment, complying significant investment or complying premium investment before being granted a visa. You must make the investment when we invite you in writing to do so. The invitation includes information on how to make the required investment and how to provide evidence that you have made the investment. If you are applying for a Significant Investor or Premium Investor stream visa, your investment must be made after the time of application for your subclass 188 visa.
Income that you earn from your investment in Australia is subject to Australian taxation law.
Provide more information
You can provide more information to us, at any time until a decision is made on the application. If you want to correct information you provided, use:
- Form 1023 – Notification of incorrect answer(s) (99KB PDF)
We could also ask you for more information. You will have to respond by a set date. After that date, we can make a decision about your application using the information that we have.
If another person gives us information that could result in you being refused a visa, we will usually give you the opportunity to comment on the information.
You might also be interviewed. If you are asked to attend an interview in person, bring your passport or other identification and any requested documents to the interview.
Visa decision
If the visa is granted, we will let you know:
- when you can use the visa
- the visa grant number
- any conditions attached to the visa.
If the visa is not granted, we will let you know:
- why the visa was refused
- your review rights (if any). Where applicable, your sponsor can apply for the decision to be reviewed
- the time limit for lodging an appeal.
Tell us of changes
You must tell us if your circumstances change. This includes a new residential address, a new passport, or a pregnancy, birth, divorce, separation, marriage, de facto relationship or death in your family.
More information is available in the Tell us of changes tab.