Business and talent visas: the National Innovation visa and the BIIP closure

VisaShape helps high-achieving professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs and investors understand Australia's permanent visa for exceptional talent, the National Innovation visa (subclass 858), and advises people who already hold a business visa, from Melbourne and online. The Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) closed permanently to new applications on 31 July 2024. Registered Migration Agent Hasti Lesani advises in English and Persian.

What is the National Innovation visa (subclass 858)?

The National Innovation visa (NIV) is a permanent visa for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in a profession, a sport, the arts, or academia and research. The Department of Home Affairs describes it as a visa for established and emerging leaders, including global researchers, entrepreneurs, innovative investors, athletes and creatives. If you have read about the Global Talent visa, Home Affairs now lists it as a former visa under subclass 858. Among other criteria, you must:

show an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement, and still be prominent in your area
have a nominator with a national reputation in your area, who signs Form 1000
be an asset to the Australian community and able to find work or become established in your area without difficulty
if you are 18 or over, have at least functional English or pay a second instalment of the visa application charge
if you are under 18, or 55 or over, be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community

How do the NIV Expression of Interest and invitation work?

You can only apply for the NIV if Home Affairs invites you. To be considered, you submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) that shows your achievements.

Submit the EOI in English, with your passport bio-data page, CV and evidence of your highest qualification. Documents in other languages need English translations.
Make it complete from the start: you cannot add information after you submit, and Home Affairs asks you not to lodge multiple EOIs unless your circumstances change significantly.
Your EOI stays in the system for two years. Home Affairs does not give progress updates, and an EOI does not entitle you to a bridging visa.
If invited, you have 60 days to lodge your visa application, which cannot be extended, and you must provide evidence of the achievements named in your invitation.
An invitation is not a pre-assessment of your eligibility, and your application is decided on its merits and evidence.

Who does Home Affairs invite first?

Invitations and processing follow a priority order set by Ministerial Direction No. 120:

Priority one: global experts from any sector who have received international top-of-field awards.
Priority two: candidates from any sector nominated on Form 1000 by an expert Australian Government agency, or a state or territory government agency.
Priority three: exceptional achievement in a Tier One sector: critical technologies, renewables and low emission technologies, or health industries.
Priority four: exceptional achievement in a Tier Two sector: agri-food and AgTech, defence capabilities and space, education, financial services and FinTech, infrastructure and transport, or resources.

What happened to the Business Innovation and Investment Program?

The BIIP closed permanently to new applications on 31 July 2024. Home Affairs continues to process applications made before then. Closed visas and streams:

Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188), Business Innovation, Investor, Significant Investor and Entrepreneur streams: closed on 31 July 2024.
Subclass 188 Premium Investor stream: closed on 1 July 2024.
Business Talent (Permanent) visa (subclass 132): closed on 1 July 2021.

Already hold a subclass 188? What is your path to the 888?

Home Affairs has said that if you hold a subclass 188 visa and meet the criteria for the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888), you can continue on this pathway after the closure. If your 188 is in the Business Innovation or Significant Investor stream, you may still be able to apply for that stream's extension to give yourself more time to meet the 888 requirements. Both extensions need a nomination from a state or territory government agency or, for the Significant Investor Extension, Austrade. Each 888 stream has its own criteria, for example:

Business Innovation stream: you must show ongoing business involvement.
Investor and Significant Investor streams: you must have held the required investment for the required period.
Entrepreneur stream: you must have lived in Australia for at least two years on your 188 and show a successful record of entrepreneurial activity in Australia.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still apply for a business or investor visa?

Not as a new applicant. The BIIP, including the subclass 188 visa, no longer accepts new applications, although existing 188 holders may still be able to extend or apply for the 888. If you have a strong record in business, investment or innovation, we can assess whether the National Innovation visa suits you. Home Affairs may consider evidence of innovative investment or entrepreneurial activity alongside a nomination from an expert government agency.

Who can be my nominator for the National Innovation visa?

Your nominator must have a national reputation in the same area as you and be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, an eligible New Zealand citizen or an Australian organisation. They attest to your record on Form 1000, which you attach to your visa application.

What evidence shows exceptional achievement?

Home Affairs lists indicators such as international top-of-field awards, national research grants, a PhD with high academic influence, and recognised intellectual property such as international patents. With nomination by an expert government agency, evidence of innovative investment or entrepreneurial activity may also be considered. We help you match your evidence to these indicators.

My 188 application is still waiting. Should I withdraw it?

You may be able to get a refund of the 188 visa application charge for some streams if you withdraw on or after 31 July 2024, but refunds are not available for the extension streams. If you are in Australia, withdrawing can affect your visa status, so get advice on your whole situation before you act.

Ready to take the next step?

Complete our free visa assessment form or book a consultation with Hasti Lesani, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 2518905.

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Employer sponsored (482/186/494)

Sponsorship, nomination and visa applications for the Skills in Demand 482, ENS 186 and regional 494, plus labour agreements and DAMA.

Skilled migration (189/190/491)

Skills assessment, SkillSelect EOI, points test and state nomination for the 189, 190 and 491 visas, plus the 191 pathway.

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Consultations in Persian (Farsi) with a Registered Migration Agent in Melbourne, in person or online, wherever you live.

Sources

Visa rules, fees and processing times change. Always check the current information on the Department of Home Affairs website.

This page provides general information only. It is not immigration advice for your individual circumstances, and no visa outcome can ever be promised. This is the practice of Hasti Lesani, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 2518905.

Last reviewed 17 September 2026