Investor Visas – (188/888 & 132)

For high net worth individuals wanting to migrate to Australia, there are a number of investment pathways that can lead to permanent residency (PR).

Business Innovation and Investor Visas – 188/888

The primary investment visa with the Department of Home Affairs is Business Innovation and Investment visa (subclass 188/888). This is a 2-stage visa. Qualifying applicants are issued with a 188 visa for a period of 4 years, after which if they have met the conditions of their temporary visa, will be eligible to apply for the permanent 888 visa.

The 188/888 visa has multiple streams under which an applicant may qualify, depending on their career in investment, business ownership experience, and the nature and value of the investment made in Australia.

The different investor streams include:

Business Innovation;
Investor;
Significant Investor;
Premium Investor;
Entrepreneur.

Business Talent Visa – 132

In addition to the investor streams above, for individuals with a recognised status as successful business owners looking to initiate a business in Australia (Significant Business History Stream), or who alternatively have sourced venture capital funding in Australia to commence a new business or project (Venture Capital Entrepreneur Stream), the 132 Business Talent visa is a direct pathway to PR.

In order to qualify for this visa, the applicant must be nominated by an Australian State or Territory, in addition to holding minimum assets of $1.5 million AUD.

For the Significant Business History Stream, applicants must have had a qualifying ownership interest for at least 2 of the last 4 years totalling $3 million AUD. Business Talent visa applicants under this stream must also not have turned 55 at the time they are invited to apply for the visa, unless the nominating State or Territory endorses the proposed business as having exceptional economic benefit to the State or Territory in which the business will operate.

Applicants in the Venture Capital Entrepreneur Stream need to secure a minimum of $1 million AUD from a company listed with the Australian Private Equity & Venture Capital Association Limited (AVCAL), for the purpose of commercialising a product or developing a business in Australia in order to qualify for the 132 Business Talent visa.

Applications under Business Innovation and Investor or Business Talent visa streams are time consuming and attract higher visa application charges with the Department of Home Affairs, in addition to the investment itself.

To ensure that you and your proposed business or venture meet the eligibility criteria under one of the investor visa pathways, we recommend seeking advice from a registered migration agent with experience with these visa subclasses. To arrange an initial consultation today, please call MAPS on 1300 899 734.