888 Business Permanent Visas and Role Swapping

How does Role Swapping work?

Role swapping occurs when two applicants, the primary applicant, and the secondary applicant (usually the primary applicant’s spouse), who are approved for a Subclass 188 Business Provisional Visa wish to change their applicant status. The secondary applicant, as the spouse, wishes to become the main applicant when applying for the Subclass 888 Business Permanent Visa. In turn, the original primary applicant for the 188 visa then becomes the secondary applicant for the 888 visa.

What happens if applicants want to role swap whilst on the Subclass 188 Business Provisional Visa?

Applicants can only role swap when they are changing visa types from the Subclass 188 – Business Provisional Visa to the Subclass 888 – Business Permanent Visa. For the Business Innovation and Investor streams, the primary applicant must be the person who is invited in writing to apply. As it was the primary applicant who was invited, the spouse cannot be made the primary applicant; if applicants wish to swap roles, a new EOI and a new subclass 188 visa application will be required.

Are there additional requirements to utilise Role Swapping?

If you are intending to role swap when applying for the Subclass 888 – Business Permanent Visa, the previous secondary applicant who wishes to become the primary applicant must meet all the primary criteria of the visa.