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Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa - Significant Investor stream (Subclass 188)

AustraliaInvestment

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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What investment option or options qualify?

The qualifying investment is a complying significant investment of at least AUD5 million, split across three components: venture capital/growth private equity, approved managed funds investing in ASX-listed emerging companies, and a balancing investment in managed funds. The applicant must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and be nominated by an Australian State or Territory government agency or Austrade, who must not withdraw the nomination after application (or the visa cannot be granted). This stream closed to new applications on 31 July 2024; the department continues to process applications made before that date, with refunds available for applications withdrawn on or after the closure date.

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What official minimum amount, tier or threshold applies to each relevant option?

The applicant must make a complying significant investment of at least AUD5 million, split across three components. For invitations on or after 1 July 2021: at least AUD1 million in venture capital/growth private equity, at least AUD1.5 million in approved managed funds investing in ASX-listed emerging companies, and a balancing investment of at least AUD2.5 million in managed funds. For invitations before 1 July 2021: at least AUD500,000 in venture capital/growth private equity, at least AUD1.5 million in the same approved managed funds, and a balancing investment of at least AUD3 million. Government fees are separate from the investment capital: the main-applicant visa application charge is from AUD18,335.00 (concessions apply in limited circumstances); a second instalment charge applies only if functional English cannot be shown — AUD9,795 for the main applicant and AUD4,890 per family member.

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How long must the investment be maintained and what continuing ownership, investment or physical-presence conditions are important?

Post-1 July 2021 invitees must have a genuine intention to hold the AUD5 million investment for the life of the provisional visa; pre-1 July 2021 invitees must have a genuine intention to hold it for at least 4 years. Direct investment in residential real estate is prohibited (indirect investment via managed funds is strictly limited), and investments cannot be used as loan security or collateral. Funds withdrawn must be reinvested within 30 days to count as held continuously, following category-specific reinvestment rules. The applicant and partner must have no history of involvement in unacceptable business or investment activities. For eventual permanent (subclass 888) eligibility, the applicant must live in Australia at least 40 days per year for the duration of the provisional visa, or the applicant's spouse or de facto partner must live in Australia at least 180 days per year (days need not be consecutive).

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Which family members can be included where officially stated, and what broad residence/work rights result?

Dependent children can be added to the application at any time before a decision is made; a spouse or de facto partner who did not apply jointly at initial lodgement can make a subsequent entrant application once the main applicant's visa is granted (a further charge applies). Family members applying must meet health and character requirements (character required for those aged 16 or over); those not coming to Australia must also meet character requirements and may have to meet health requirements. Family members aged 18+ at the time of application must sign the Australian values statement. A second instalment charge of AUD4,890 applies per family member lacking functional English. The official source does not state the family members' residence or work rights.

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What status is obtained, how is it renewed, what longer-term residence/citizenship direction is officially stated, and what happens to the investment when relevant?

This is a provisional visa granted with multiple entry, valid from grant date. Stay is up to 5 years if invited on or after 1 July 2021; up to 4 years and 3 months if invited before 1 July 2021 with an application made after 1 July 2015; or 4 years if applied before 1 July 2015. A new visa is required to stay longer, and the visa holder can apply for permanent residence via the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) (subclass 888) Significant Investor stream, or for a Significant Investor Extension stream (subclass 188) visa if more time is needed. The official source does not state what happens to the investment.

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These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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