How to apply for a business visa in Australia, what changed with the 188 program, current business and investment pathways, and how to get real advice.
The honest starting point in 2026 is that Australia’s main business migration stream has changed. The Business Innovation and Investment Program, known as the subclass 188 visa, was closed to new applications in 2024, so you can no longer lodge a fresh 188 the way people did for years. If you already hold a provisional 188, you can still work toward the permanent stage. If you’re a business owner or investor looking to move to Australia now, the pathways today are different, and they turn on your skills, your investment or your talent rather than a simple “buy your way in” application. So before you spend money on anything, the first step is to work out which current visa actually fits your situation, because applying under a program that no longer takes new applicants only wastes time.
This guide is general information to help you get your bearings. Migration and citizenship rules — and especially fees and processing times — change often, so the smartest next step is a quick, honest read on your own situation. Our registered migration agent and qualified education consultant work under one roof, so your visa and study plans line up.
Book a consultation and you’ll get a clear plan and a fixed quote before you commit — in person at Eight Mile Plains, or online anywhere.
