Published 15 October 2026. Last updated 15 October 2026.
By Sam Bass, Founder of Business For Sale, helping Aussies buy and sell businesses since 1987.
Why this question matters
Many buyers in India, and Indian families already here on temporary visas, want to buy a cafe, bakery, newsagency, servo or takeaway and build a future in Australia. Some have been told that buying a business "meets your visa requirements", backed by visa lists that include closed visas and visas a business purchase simply doesn't give you.
This guide sets out what is actually open as of October 2026, based only on official government sources, and how to choose a business that makes sense whether or not a visa comes with it.
The short answer
Buying a business does not, on its own, give anyone an Australian visa. The main business visa program has closed to new applicants. A small number of state and territory nomination streams do reward owning and running a business, but they also need a skilled occupation, a skills assessment, English and points, and their rules change from year to year. Treat any visa as a possible bonus, never as the thing you're paying for.
Which business and investment visas are open in 2026?
Subclass 188 is closed to new applicants
The Department of Home Affairs says the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) "closed permanently to new applications on 31 July 2024", and applications made before that date are still being processed (Home Affairs: BIIP closure and refunds). That closure covers the subclass 188 Business Innovation, Investor, Significant Investor and Entrepreneur streams. The Business Talent (subclass 132) visa closed to new applications on 1 July 2021. If anyone tells you they can lodge a new 188 for you today, that's a red flag.
Subclass 888 is only for people who already hold a 188
The permanent subclass 888 is still available, but only to people who already hold a subclass 188 and meet the requirements. Migration Queensland says it "will continue to assess permanent visa (subclass 888) nomination applications for applicants who hold a current provisional visa (subclass 188)" (Migration Queensland: subclass 888). Victoria is still accepting nominations for all 888 streams and for the 188 Extension stream (Live in Melbourne: business and investor visas), and NSW and Tasmania also publish 888 nomination information (NSW Government, Migration Tasmania).
If you already hold a 188, the right business may genuinely matter for your 888. Have your registered migration agent confirm it fits your stream and state criteria before you sign.
The National Innovation visa (858) isn't a business-purchase visa
The National Innovation visa is "an invitation-only permanent visa" for "exceptionally talented migrants from across the world". You lodge an expression of interest and wait to be invited (Home Affairs: National Innovation visa). For April to June 2026, Home Affairs reports 2,166 expressions of interest and 248 invitations, mostly to people with outstanding achievements in priority sectors such as critical technologies, renewables and health (Home Affairs: current invitation round). Buying a takeaway shop won't qualify you.
Paths where owning a business can actually count
State and territory nomination for business owners (subclass 491)
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) can be based on state or territory nomination (Home Affairs: subclass 491). The basic Home Affairs requirements include a points score of at least 65, a positive skills assessment, being under 45 and at least Competent English (as summarised by Migration Queensland). A few jurisdictions let you use your own business as your connection to the state:
- ACT, Small Business Owner. You must be the majority owner (at least 51%) of a profitable ACT business, pay yourself a set taxable income (for 491 nomination, at least $16,000 in the last three months) and employ at least one Australian citizen, permanent resident or NZ citizen, with one employee working at least 20 hours a week for at least 13 weeks. Turnover also earns points, for example $200,000 over the last 12 months of trading. Rideshare, taxi, delivery, courier and sub-tenancy businesses are excluded (ACT: Canberra Matrix, ACT: 491 Canberra resident eligibility).
- Tasmania, Tasmanian Business Operator pathway. You must have operated a Tasmanian business for at least 12 months, owned solely or with your spouse, and it must still be in profit after paying yourself at least $67,509 (85% of the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold). You also need a skills assessment, English results and Tasmanian residence evidence. Higher turnover (over $500,000) and more local staff improve your ranking (Migration Tasmania: TBO pathway).
- Queensland, 491 Small Business Owner. This stream rewarded buying a regional business for at least $100,000 and employing at least one Australian resident, but Migration Queensland says businesses purchased after 19 September 2025 are not eligible (Migration Queensland: small business owners). It hasn't said whether a purchase pathway will return, so don't buy in Queensland on the assumption that it will.
- South Australia says self-employed applicants can be considered in its skilled streams if they're working in their nominated occupation (Move to South Australia).
- Northern Territory nominations are built around employment, and the NT says its 2026 to 27 allocation is full, with new applications accepted only by exception (NT Government visa nomination).
These criteria are reviewed every program year. Check the state's own website, and your agent, before you commit.
From 491 to permanent residence (subclass 191)
The 491 is a provisional visa. The permanent subclass 191 requires, among other things, notices of assessment from the Australian Taxation Office for three income years out of the five years of your eligible visa (Home Affairs: subclass 191). In plain terms, your business needs to give you a real, taxable income, and your tax affairs need to be in order.
Why buying a business doesn't give you a 482, 494 or 186
These are employer-sponsored visas
The Skills in Demand (subclass 482), Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) and Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visas are for workers whose employer sponsors them. The employer applies to become an approved sponsor, nominates a role and then nominates the person. The role usually needs to be on the skilled occupation list, and for some visas the employer must first advertise the job in Australia for at least four weeks in at least two advertisements (Home Affairs: explore options for employers, Home Affairs: becoming a sponsor).
The visa is attached to a genuine job, not to buying a business.
Your business can sponsor workers, under strict rules
Once you own a business, it may be able to sponsor overseas workers if it becomes an approved sponsor and the position is genuine. Nomination criteria in the Migration Regulations require that the position is genuine (Migration Regulations 1994, including regulation 2.72 for the 482), and Home Affairs looks at whether the role really exists and fits the business. Setting up or buying a business mainly so it can sponsor yourself or a relative is high risk. Get advice from a registered migration agent before you plan anything like this. Home Affairs also warns: "it is against the law for a person to ask you to pay money for a job or a visa" (Home Affairs: work restrictions).
Already here on a partner, student or 485 visa?
- Partner visa holders. Home Affairs lists partner visas among those with work rights that don't need sponsorship (Home Affairs).
- Temporary Graduate (485) holders. Home Affairs says 485 visas "have no work restrictions" and generally last between 18 months and 3 years depending on your qualification (Home Affairs). If you're hoping for state nomination later, ask an agent which business and occupation combination could support it.
- Student visa holders. Most students can work up to 48 hours a fortnight while their course is in session (Study Australia). A cafe or bakery is a long-hours business, so ask an agent how your conditions apply before buying.
Whatever your visa, check your conditions on VEVO.
Choosing the right business if a visa is part of your plan
Owner-run beats manager-run
State business-owner streams look for owners who are actively running the business. Queensland's old stream wanted proof you'd worked in the business full-time since buying it. An owner-run cafe or bakery fits that. A passive investment, or one where a manager does everything, usually won't.
Genuine local jobs
The ACT asks for at least one Australian citizen, permanent resident or NZ citizen employee, and Tasmania ranks owners higher for employing more locals. A business that already employs local staff on proper award wages, with payslips and super, helps.
Regional vs city
The 491 is a regional visa, and states define their own eligible areas. Regional businesses can also be better value. Check that the exact postcode is eligible for the stream you're targeting.
Franchise vs independent
Franchises offer systems and training, which helps if you're new to Australia. Read the franchise agreement carefully. Queensland's rules required franchisor approval before purchase and excluded commission-agent arrangements such as many service stations, where you don't really own the business.
Turnover and record-keeping
Expect to show BAS, ATO income statements, bank statements and payroll records. Buy a business with clean, verifiable books and keep them that way. Cash-heavy businesses with poor records are a risk.
Red flags to walk away from
- A seller, broker or "consultant" who promises a visa outcome. Home Affairs advises: don't "enter into work arrangements with people who promise permanent residence", because "only the Department of Home Affairs can grant permanent residency" (Home Affairs).
- No registered migration agent or lawyer named, or advice that comes from an education agent. Education agents can't lawfully give immigration assistance unless they're also registered or a lawyer (Giving immigration assistance in Australia).
- Visa lists that include closed visas (such as new 188 applications) or employer-sponsored visas presented as "business visas".
- Turnover figures you can't check against BAS, tax returns or bank statements.
- A business already used for someone else's visa. Queensland and the ACT have both excluded these.
- Pressure to pay a premium "for the visa", or to pay anyone for sponsorship.
How to check a migration agent
Only registered migration agents, Australian legal practitioners or exempt persons can lawfully give immigration assistance, and unlawful assistance can carry up to 10 years' imprisonment (Giving immigration assistance in Australia). Search the official Register of Migration Agents by name, Migration Agent Registration Number (MARN), business name or location. Ask for the MARN in writing. If your adviser is a lawyer, check their practising certificate with the law society in their state.
FAQs
Can I still apply for a business visa (188) in 2026?
No. The BIIP, including the 188, closed to new applications on 31 July 2024 (Home Affairs).
Will buying a business get me a 482 or 494 visa?
Not by itself. These are employer-sponsored visas, and they need an approved sponsor, a nominated genuine position and a worker who meets the requirements.
Which states have business owner nomination streams?
The ACT (Small Business Owner) and Tasmania (Tasmanian Business Operator) publish business-owner criteria. Queensland's 491 Small Business Owner stream doesn't accept businesses bought after 19 September 2025. Rules change every program year, so check before you buy.
I hold a 188. Can buying a business help me get an 888?
Possibly, if the business meets your stream and state requirements. Confirm with your registered migration agent and your nominating state before you sign.
How much do I need to spend?
The government sources we checked don't set a single price. Queensland's former purchase pathway required at least $100,000, but it's closed to new purchases. Focus on profit, records and local jobs, not the price tag.
How do I know a migration agent is genuine?
Search their name or MARN on the official OMARA register.
Find a business that works for you
The best business to buy is one you'd be happy to own even without a visa: a genuine, profitable, well-documented business you can run yourself. Browse businesses for sale on businessforsale.com.au, from takeaway shops to franchises, and register as a buyer to set up alerts so new listings in your area and price range come straight to your inbox.
General information only. This article isn't migration, legal, tax or financial advice. Visa programs and state nomination criteria change often, and the figures above were taken from official websites in October 2026. Before buying a business for migration purposes, get advice from a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner, and check the current requirements with the Department of Home Affairs and the relevant state or territory. Business For Sale doesn't give immigration assistance and can't promise any visa outcome.