Subclass 188E Entrepreneur Visa

The Subclass 188E visa, also known as the Entrepreneur visa, is part of the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa program in Australia. It is designed for entrepreneurs who have a funding agreement from a third party and want to develop entrepreneurial activities in Australia.

Here are the key points about the Subclass 188E visa:

1. Purpose: The Entrepreneur visa aims to attract talented entrepreneurs to Australia who can create innovative businesses and contribute to the Australian economy.
2. Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible for the Subclass 188E visa, you must:
   • Be nominated by a state or territory government agency in Australia.
   • Be under 55 years of age, although some exemptions may apply.
   • Have a funding agreement of at least AUD 200,000 from a specified third party (venture capital firm, angel investor, or Commonwealth agency).
   • Have competent English language proficiency.
   • Meet health and character requirements.
3. Funding Agreement: The funding agreement must be from a specified third party and must be for the purpose of funding entrepreneurial activities in Australia. The funding agreement must specify that at least AUD 200,000 will be provided for the entrepreneur's business idea.
4. Business Obligations: Once in Australia, Entrepreneur visa holders are expected to undertake entrepreneurial activities that are endorsed by the state or territory government agency that nominated them. They must also maintain ongoing communication with the nominating agency and meet other visa conditions.
5. Duration: The Subclass 188E visa is a provisional visa and is valid for up to four years and three months. However, visa holders who meet certain criteria may be eligible to apply for the Subclass 888 visa, which is the permanent residency version of the Entrepreneur visa.
6. State or Territory Nomination: To apply for the Subclass 188E visa, you must first be nominated by a state or territory government agency in Australia. Each state and territory has its own criteria and processes for nominating entrepreneurs for this visa.
7. Application Process: The application process for the Subclass 188E visa involves submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect system and receiving a nomination from a state or territory government agency. Once nominated, you can then lodge a visa application with the Department of Home Affairs.

Overall, the Subclass 188E Entrepreneur visa provides an opportunity for talented entrepreneurs to develop and grow innovative businesses in Australia with the support of third-party funding and state or territory government endorsement.