Business Visa – Investor Stream
Subclass 188B
(Temporary)
Overview
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As a 5-year provisional visa, Subclass 188B visa is for overseas investors and business owners to make a 5-year investment in a specific Australian state/territory.
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The holder of this visa can become eligible for permanent residency through Business Visa – Investor stream (Subclass 888B) upon the completion of the investment period.
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Similar to Business Visa – Innovation stream (Subclass 188A), Subclass 188B visa is points-based, meaning you must meet the threshold points requirement (minimum 65) to be eligible to apply.
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You may claim points based on a range of factors, such as age, financial assets, investment experience, educational background and English competency.
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It is invitation-based, meaning the Immigration generally picks the top-calibre (highest-scored) applicants in each round based on their submitted Expressions of Interest (EOI) and issue them invitations to apply for this visa.
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You may include your family in your visa application so your entire family can migrate together.
Process
Step 1 – Lodge Expression of Interest (EOI) and wait for invitation from state/territory government
Step 2 – Apply for State/territory nomination once invited
Step 3 – Submit application for Subclass 188B visa when nomination is approved
Eligibility
Be aged under 55 (exemptions apply)
Receive invitation from the Immigration
Obtain nomination from state/territory government
For at least 1 of the 5 fiscal years immediately before the time of invitation, you have directly managed one of the following:
- a qualifying business in which you, or together with your partner, had at least 10% ownership interest; or
- a eligible investment of which you, or together with your partner, own at least AUD 2.5 million
Have at least 3 years‘ experience managing one or more qualifying businesses or eligible investments
Have a successful business or investment history
Have demonstrated a high level of management skill
Financial assets: for the 2 fiscal years immediately before the time of invitation, you or together with your partner, have net business and personal assets of at least AUD 2.5 million, which must have been lawfully acquired and be available for transfer to Australia within 2 years of the visa being granted.
Investment: Make a designated investment of at least AUD 2.5 million which must be maintained for the duration of your Subclass 188B visa. It must be invested in the following proportions:
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at least AUD 500,000 in venture capital and growth private equity funds which invest in start-ups and small private companies
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at least AUD 750,000 in approved managed funds. The managed funds must invest in emerging companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange
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a ‘balancing investment’ of at least AUD 1.25 million in managed funds
Score at least 65 points on Points Test
Have not had involvement in unacceptable business or investment activities
Meet health and character requirements
Have functional English (or a second instalment of application fee applies)
Special Notes
Investment Further Explained
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The managed funds can invest in a range of assets, including companies listed on the Australian stock exchange, Australian corporate bonds or notes, annuities and commercial real estate.
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The Immigration prohibits direct investment in residential real estate. It strictly limits indirect investment in residential property through managed funds.
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You must not use investments as security or collateral for a loan.
Residence
Applicants must reside for at least 2 years in the nominating State/territory following the grant of the visa.
Location
Applicants may be in or outside Australia at the time of application and visa grant.
Duration of Stay
This visa is valid for 5 years.
Benefits
With this visa, you may:
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migrate to Australia together with your family
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apply for permanent residency through Business Visa – Investor stream (Subclass 888B) in only 2 years if eligible
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potentially bring your extended family members to Australia permanently on parent visa or visa intended for other relatives
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stay in Australia for 5 years without having to leave
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access Australia’s public health care scheme (Medicare) which essentially provides free medical consultations, operations and hospitalization for a wide range of medical conditions
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travel overseas and back to Australia without limitations for any purposes (e.g. overseas holiday, visiting family and/or attending family matters in home country)
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study in Australia without any limitations
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attend free English language course provided by Australian government
Application Fees
You may include your family in the application so your family can migrate to Australia together.
First Instalment
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Main applicant: $6270
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Each secondary applicant aged 18 or over: $3135
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Each secondary applicant under 18: $1565
Second Instalment
If any applicant at least 18 is assessed as not having functional English at the time of invitation, a second instalment applies:
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Main applicant: $9795
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Each secondary applicant: $4890
Please note: you may incur third-party charges, for example, for assets valuation, translation, English test, police certificate and health exam.
Processing Time
Kindly note the processing time constantly varies. Please contact us for update.
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75% of applications: 35 months
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90% of applications: 38 months
