Processing times · Subclass 188
How long does the subclass 188 visa take? (November 2026)
Reviewed by a registered migration agent ·
MARN 1795282
Updated
As at 2 November 2026, Home Affairs reports that 75% of Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (Subclass 188) applications (Business Innovation Extension stream) were finalised within 10 months, and 90% within 11 months. In September 2026 the 75% figure was 9 months. These are official global processing times for applications decided in the previous month, not a promise for any individual case.
Subclass 188 processing times by stream
| Stream | 75% of applications | 90% of applications | 75% in September 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Innovation Extension | 10 months | 11 months | 9 months |
What to expect when you apply for the subclass 188
How the application moves
- The program closed to new applications on 31 July 2024; the figures on this page relate only to applications lodged before that date, which continue to be assessed in the order of the program's priorities.
- Applicants with a pending 188 may withdraw and request a refund, or wait for a decision and then plan the move to the 888 permanent stage.
What most often slows a 188 application
- The remaining pipeline is processed slowly and in priority order, so pre-closure applications can wait well beyond the headline figure.
- Requests for updated business, investment or financial evidence when circumstances have changed since lodgement.
What to have ready before lodging
- Keep your business and investment records current so you can answer a request for information quickly.
- If the 188 is no longer the right plan, consider whether the National Innovation visa (858) or an employer or skilled route fits instead.
What the 75% and 90% figures mean
Home Affairs publishes the time within which it finalised 75% and 90% of the applications decided in the previous month. Three in four applicants got a decision faster than the 75% figure; one in ten waited longer than the 90% figure, almost always because the application was incomplete, needed health or character follow-up, or sat outside the current processing priorities. The figures move every month, which is why we keep a history on the processing-times tracker.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the 188 visa take to process in November 2026?
Home Affairs reports that 75% of Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) applications in the Business Innovation Extension stream were finalised within 10 months and 90% within 11 months, as at 2 November 2026.
What do the 75% and 90% figures mean?
They are the times within which Home Affairs finalised 75% and 90% of the applications it decided in the previous month. Three in four applications were decided faster than the 75% figure; one in ten took longer than the 90% figure, usually because the application was incomplete or needed extra checks.
Can a 188 visa be processed faster?
There is no paid priority service for the 188. The things that reliably shorten processing are lodging a complete, decision-ready application (identity, health, character and every eligibility document attached at lodgement), responding to any request for information quickly, and avoiding avoidable requests for further information.
Related visas: processing times and costs
- Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (Subclass 888): processing times · fees
- National Innovation visa (Subclass 858): processing times · fees
- Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482): processing times · fees
Source: Department of Home Affairs — global visa processing times, as at 2 November 2026. Cost: subclass 188 visa fees. Eligibility and steps: 188 Business Visa (BIIP): Closed — Your Options. General information only, not migration advice.