The Australia business visa routes that new applicants can use in 2026 are the Business Visitor stream of the subclass 600 for short trips, a 482 sponsored by your own company, the invitation only National Innovation visa 858 and the state nominated Business Talent visa 132. The old subclass 188 Business Innovation and Investment visa closed to new applicants on 31 July 2024, and the permanent 888 is now open only to people who already hold a 188.
If you are looking at an Australia business visa, the first thing to know is that the investor and entrepreneur routes many guides still describe are closed. This guide separates what is closed from what is open, explains the short business trip option, the self sponsorship route and the invitation only visas, and lists the sources’ fees and conflicts. It uses a Widen business migration guide updated on 17 August 2026, a RACC article published on 14 April 2026 and modified on 16 April 2026 and an AusBusinessRegister guide published on 1 March 2026 and modified on 9 October 2026. These are consultancy or private firm pages and not the Department of Home Affairs, they contain date inconsistencies, and the official Home Affairs pages could not be opened from our tools, so we flag conflicts and you should confirm eligibility, thresholds and fees on the Home Affairs site. For the closed investor routes, see our Australia golden visa guide.
What Happened to the Old Business Investor Visas?
They closed. Widen and RACC both say the Business Innovation and Investment Program, subclass 188, closed permanently to new applicants on 31 July 2024.
That covers the Business Innovation, Investor, Significant Investor and Entrepreneur streams named by Widen. AusBusinessRegister also says the 188 and 888 closed to new applicants, with the 888 open only to existing 188 holders. Applications lodged before that date continue under the criteria in force at the time, per RACC. Widen does not mention the Premium Investor stream, so its status is not confirmed here, while RACC lists Premium Investor requirements for the 888 for existing holders.
What Can Existing 188 Holders Do?
Apply for the permanent 888 if they meet their stream’s criteria. RACC lists the requirements.
RACC says state or territory nomination is required in most streams. Widen gives no figures and says the 888 depends on each stream, with no upper age cap. These are single page figures from a consultancy, so check the current criteria with Home Affairs.
Can You Get an Australia Business Visa for a Short Trip?
Yes, for short trips on the Business Visitor stream of the subclass 600. Widen and AusBusinessRegister both say it is a temporary visitor visa and not a migration pathway.
It covers enquiries, negotiating contracts and attending conferences, and it does not allow employment, working for an Australian business or selling directly to the public. AusBusinessRegister says it usually allows 3 months, occasionally longer, and gives a charge of A$250 when applied for outside Australia. For the full visit visa rules, see our Australia visit visa guide.
Can You Run an Australian Company From Overseas?
Owning a company does not need a visa. AusBusinessRegister says no visa is needed to own or register an Australian company, and that a non-resident director can be appointed to meet the requirement for an ordinarily resident director. That is a single source claim from a company formation firm, so check with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and a registered adviser before you rely on it.
Can You Sponsor Yourself on a 482?
Yes, through your own company, which is the main route to live and work in Australia. AusBusinessRegister and Widen both describe it.
AusBusinessRegister says the Skills in Demand 482 allows up to four years, with Specialist Skills requiring a salary of at least A$146,576 and Core Skills requiring an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List with a salary of at least A$79,423. The main applicant charge is A$4,015, and sponsorship, nomination and levy costs are extra. Widen says the 482 has no statutory minimum capital and that it can lead to the 186 for permanent residence, generally for applicants under 45. RACC gives a lower salary threshold of A$73,150, described as current, which conflicts with the 2026 to 2027 figures from the other sources, so treat it as out of date. Our Australia work visa guide explains the 482 in detail.
What Is the National Innovation Visa 858?
A permanent visa by invitation, based on achievement and not investment. RACC says it launched on 6 December 2024 and Widen describes it as open but invitation only.
- Eligibility: an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement (Widen).
- Process: an Expression of Interest, then an invitation (RACC).
- Age and English: RACC says there is no age limit, no English requirement and no points test, and Widen says applicants must be 18 or older.
- Extra details: AusBusinessRegister adds a nominator on Form 1000, earnings or an offer at or above A$190,100 and a charge of A$6,235, which no other source confirms.
Both Widen and RACC say the 858 replaced the BIIP and the Global Talent visa, but the BIIP closed about five months before the 858 launched, and neither explains the gap.
What Is the Business Talent Visa 132?
A permanent visa that needs state or territory nomination. Widen and RACC both list it as open, with limited allocations.
RACC lists two streams: Significant Business History, which needs net assets of at least A$1,500,000 and turnover of at least A$3,000,000 in two of four fiscal years, and Venture Capital Entrepreneur, which needs at least A$1,000,000 in funding from an Australian Investment Council member venture capital firm. Widen gives no thresholds and says they are set by legislative instrument and revised, so check the current figures. RACC dates its statement to April 2026, so the 132 may have changed since.
What Do the Australia Business Visa Routes Cost?
It depends on the route, and the sources give few official figures.
Widen and RACC give no government charges. LifeinAus lists the 888 at A$4,375 and the 188 Significant Investor stream at A$18,335, the latter only relevant to older applications. Confirm every figure with the Home Affairs pricing estimator.
What Mistakes Cause Problems?
Relying on guides that still sell the 188 cause most problems. Check each point first.
- Planning around the closed 188 investor streams.
- Working on a Business Visitor visa.
- Assuming the 858 can be applied for without an invitation.
- Using the old 482 salary figure.
- Ignoring state nomination for the 132.
- Assuming a company needs a visa to exist, without checking with an adviser.
- Paying an agent for a visa that is not open.
- Skipping a check of date inconsistencies on advice pages.
FAQs
Is the 188 visa still open?
No. It closed to new applicants on 31 July 2024, per Widen and RACC.
Can I invest my way to PR now?
The old investor streams are closed, as our golden visa guide explains.
Can I attend business meetings in Australia?
Yes, on the Business Visitor stream, but you cannot work.
What is the best option for a founder?
It depends: a 482 through your own company, or an invitation to the 858 if you have exceptional achievements.
Do I need a visa to own a company?
One source says no, but check with an adviser.
How much is the 858?
One source gives A$6,235, which is unconfirmed.
Conclusion
The Australia business visa options for new applicants are now the Business Visitor stream, a 482 sponsored by your own company, the invitation only 858 and the state nominated 132, while the 188 is closed. Check which routes fit your business, confirm thresholds on the Home Affairs site and avoid advisers who still sell closed visas.
