Subclass 888: Your Roadmap to Permanent Business Success

Look, you have spent years building your business or maintaining your investments in Australia. You held up your end of the deal with the Subclass 188. Now comes the question: how do you lock in permanent residency?

The Subclass 888 visa is the answer. But which stream applies to you? That depends on the 188 stream you hold and what you have done with it.

Business Innovation Stream

This is for people who came to Australia, started or bought a business, and ran it successfully. You need to have held your Subclass 188 Business Innovation stream for at least two years.

The Department wants to see that you actually built something here. Not a shell company. Not a paper business. A real operation with real turnover. You also need to show you are committed to keeping that business going after you get PR.

Investor Stream

If you came in on the Investor stream, here is what you need:

• A current nomination from a state or territory

• You maintained a complying investment of at least $2.5 million the entire time you held the 188

• You met the residency requirements

• You have a genuine commitment to continue your investment or business activity

The key word is "maintained." If your investment dipped below $2.5 million at any point, you have a problem.

Significant Investor Stream

Higher stakes, similar structure:

• Current state or territory nomination

• Maintained a complying significant investment of at least $5 million for the entire 188 period

• Met residency requirements

• Genuine commitment to continue business or investment activity

• Functional English

The English requirement catches some people off guard. It is not a high bar, but it is a bar. Sort it out early.

Premium Investor Stream

This is the top tier. You held the Subclass 188 Premium Investor stream and invested at least $15 million in qualifying Australian investments.

This stream is designed for exceptionally high-net-worth individuals who can make a significant economic contribution. If you are exploring other pathways at this level, the Global Talent visa is worth considering.

Entrepreneur Stream

For those who came to Australia with a funded entrepreneurial idea:

• Current nomination from a state or territory

• Held the Subclass 188 Entrepreneur stream for at least three years

• Active participation in managing the business

• Genuine intention to continue the business activity

Three years, not two. The Entrepreneur stream has a longer provisional period than Business Innovation.

What Should You Do Now?

If you have been on a 188 and meeting your requirements, the 888 is the next step. But "meeting requirements" and "proving you met requirements" are two different things. Documentation matters. Timing matters.

Once you have permanent residency, you can work towards Australian citizenship after meeting the residency requirements.

Do not assume your application is straightforward just because you have been compliant. Book a consultation and let us review your situation before you lodge.