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Significant Investor Extension 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 the complying significant investment made under the original Significant Investor stream visa, which the applicant must continue to hold. To be granted this Extension stream visa, the applicant must either hold a Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) (subclass 188) visa in the Significant Investor stream and have held it for at least 3 years, or hold a Significant Investor Extension stream visa and not have held more than one such visa; either way, the applicant must be nominated by a State or Territory government agency or Austrade. A person can be granted a maximum of 2 Significant Investor Extension stream visas.

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

This route does not require a new investment amount — the applicant must continue to hold the complying significant investment made under the original Significant Investor stream visa. Government fees: the main-applicant visa application charge is from AUD1,505.00 (concessions apply in limited circumstances); a second instalment charge applies only if functional English cannot be shown and one was not already paid at a prior subclass 188 stage — 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?

The applicant must continue to hold the complying significant investment continuously for the life of the provisional visa, following the investment-switching rules (reinvestment within 30 days of withdrawal, matching sums, category-specific reinvestment rules for venture capital, emerging companies and balancing investments). The rules in force when the original Significant Investor stream application was made continue to apply for the whole provisional-visa period, including any Extension visas. 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 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?

Family unit members can be included at application, and dependent children can be added at any time before a decision is made. 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, unless already paid at a prior subclass 188 stage. 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. Total stay from the original Significant Investor visa's grant date is 6 years (pre-1 July 2021 invitees on a first Extension), 7 years (post-1 July 2021 invitees on a first Extension), 8 years (pre-1 July 2021 invitees on a second Extension), or up to 9 years (post-1 July 2021 invitees on a second Extension). A new visa application is required to stay longer; the officially stated longer-term pathway is the permanent Business Innovation and Investment (subclass 888) visa, Significant Investor stream, if requirements are met. The official source does not state what happens to the investment.

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  • Overview tab — Stay
    Up to 9 years after the date of grant of the original subclass 188 visa in the Significant Investor stream.
  • About this visa tab — How long you can stay
    The visa is granted with multiple entries. You can leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid.
  • About this visa tab — Stay longer
    apply for permanent residence through the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888) Significant Investor stream if certain requirements are met.

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

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