australiapr

Subclass 188 refunds after the BIIP closed: eligible streams and how to request one

The BIIP closed to new applications on 31 July 2024. Which subclass 188 streams can claim a VAC refund, the ImmiAccount steps, and the visa-status warning for applicants in Australia.

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The Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) closed permanently to new applications on 31 July 2024. Applications lodged before that date are still being processed, in line with permanent Migration Program planning levels and skilled visa processing priorities. For anyone who has decided to pull out since then, the Department of Home Affairs' BIIP closure and refunds page sets out which streams can recover the Visa Application Charge (VAC) and which cannot.

Sydney Harbour at dusk, with the city skyline lights reflecting on the water

Four streams qualify, two extension streams do not

Refunds are available for four subclass 188 streams:

  • Business Innovation
  • Investor
  • Significant Investor
  • Entrepreneur

Refunds are not available for:

  • Business Innovation Extension
  • Significant Investor Extension

The page separately lists these extension streams as not available for refunds. The page's refund condition is withdrawal on or after 31 July 2024. The department's wording is that you may be able to get a refund, and it points to other refund provisions that may apply outside this pathway.

The same page records that Business Talent (subclass 132) VAC refunds are available to Significant Business History and Venture Capital Entrepreneur stream applicants who withdraw on or after 31 July 2024.

Withdraw first, then request the refund

You can withdraw your BIIP application through ImmiAccount. After you receive a formal withdrawal notification, you can request a VAC refund in ImmiAccount.

Requesting the refund in ImmiAccount

  1. Log in to ImmiAccount.
  2. Select My Payments.
  3. Select Manage Payments.
  4. Check the payment status of your VAC.
  5. From the actions menu, select Request Refund.
  6. Choose Voluntary withdrawal of BIIP application from the reason drop-down menu.

The page states you can request a refund if the payment status of your VAC is Credit or Paid.

If you are in Australia, withdrawing may affect your visa status

The department warns that if you are in Australia, withdrawing your visa application may affect your visa status. For more information, the page directs readers to 'You want to withdraw your application.'

There is no standard refund timeframe

There is no standard timeframe for processing a refund request. Each request is assessed individually under the relevant legal authority or administrative rules. The page also says other refund provisions may apply and links to 'Getting a refund' for more details.