The Investor Stream (Sub 188) visa is a great option for those wishing to establish or develop a business in Australia. It allows the holder to stay in Australia for up to 5 years and also brings with it the opportunity to invest and operate a business in the country.
This visa also provides the holder with additional benefits, such as bringing eligible family members over with them on their adventure Down Under. Family members may include their spouse or de facto partner, dependent children aged 18 years and under, and any other dependent relative for whom they have legal responsibility. When granted this visa, successful applicants will be allowed to live, work and study anywhere within Australia during their stay here.
Things you can do with this visa (sub 188)
The Investor Stream (Sub 188) is a great way for investors and business people to access the opportunities available in Australia. This visa can provide up to 5 years of stay in the country, allowing applicants to gain access to its burgeoning economy. It also allows successful applicants to bring eligible family members on their journey.
This visa is designed for people who have significant financial resources that they are willing and able to invest in Australian businesses or projects. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a commitment of at least AUD 1,500,000 into either complying investment or venture capital fund investments as part of their application process. Once approved, holders of this visa will be allowed to carry out business and investment activity in Australia while engaging with the local market and economy and providing employment opportunities for both skilled and semi-skilled workers from overseas.
Length
It is valid for up to 5 years and is available to applicants invited by the Australian Government on or after 1 July 2021. If applicants were invited to apply for this visa before 1 July 2021, they could stay in Australia for up to 4 years and 3 months.
This visa grants multiple entries, allowing you to leave and re-enter Australia as often as you want while your visa is valid.
Requirements
The Australian Government has created a special program for investors looking to invest in Australia. This program is the Investor Stream (Sub 188), and it offers potential investors access to a range of benefits. To qualify, applicants must be nominated by a State or Territory government agency and demonstrate that they meet certain requirements.
If an investor is invited by the Department of Home Affairs, they will be required to invest at least AUD2.5 million into complying investments that comply with investment criteria determined by the Department. These investments may include venture capital, growth private equity, designated investments in commercial real estate or infrastructure projects and loans to small-medium businesses. Additionally, the investor must also complete other requirements, such as providing evidence of their business experience, English language proficiency and commitment to living in Australia for at least 160 days per year during the initial four-year provisional visa period.
To be eligible for this visa, applicants must score at least 65 on the points test, have a net business, investment and personal assets of at least AUD2.5 million and show that their investments are likely to benefit the Australian economy.
Processing Time
- 25% of applications: 18 Months
- 50% of applications: 30 Months
- 75% of applications: 38 Months
- 90% of applications: 42 Months
However, there are no standard processing times for this stream – applications can take anywhere from months to years, depending on how long it takes the investor to meet the eligibility criteria.
For those interested in applying, it is important to note that your application might take longer than average to process if you do not fill it in correctly or do not include all the necessary documentation. Additionally, changes in government regulations and policies can also affect processing times. As such, applicants should ensure they read through all the guidelines carefully before submitting their application forms.
Costs
The main application fee is AUD6,270 for the primary applicant, plus additional application fees for each family member who applies with them. For each family member who applies with you over 18 years old, there is an additional charge of AUD3,135 and those under 18 years old have to pay AUD1,565.
Applicants who are 18 or older and have less than functional English must pay an additional charge for their second instalment.
This second instalment charge for the main applicant is AUD9795 and AUD4890 for family members.
Read more about the streams of Business Innovation and Investment (Sub 188) (Provisional):