Investor Stream 188B

Duration and Conditions

This is a 4 year temporary visa. Once you have maintained an investment in Australia for 4 years, you can apply for permanent residence through the Business Innovation & Investment (Residence) Subclass 888 visa.

Do I Apply in Australia or Overseas?

You can either be in Australia or overseas when you lodge your application.

If you are in Australia, you must hold a substantive visa or a Bridging A, B or C visa.

Visa Criteria

This option requires you to have managed investments or owned a business, and to be willing to invest AUD 1.5 million in Australian State or Territory Government bonds. Specific criteria include:

• You have had business and personal net assets of at least AUD 2.25 million for the last 2 fiscal years
• Under 55 years of age, unless the nominating state or territory certifies that you will make an exceptional economic benefit; and
• Meet the pass mark in the Business Innovation and Investment Points test (currently 65)
• You must make an investment of AUD 1.5 million in Australian State or Territory bonds prior to grant of the visa
• You have 3 years of experience either managing a qualifying business or "eligible investments", and have showed a high level of management skill
• For at least 1 of the last 5 fiscal years, you have either:
  • Managed a business in which you hold a 10% shareholding; or

  • Managed "eligible investments" of at least AUD 1.5 million

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"Eligible investments" for the purposes of the Investor Stream include:

• Ownership interests in a business
• Cash on deposit
• Stocks or bonds
• Real estate
• Gold or bullion
• Loan to a business

State/Territory Nomination

This visa is only available to applicants who are nominated by an Australian State or Territory government. To be nominated, you must lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect system.

Eligibility for Permanent Residence

To qualify for a permanent Business Innovation & Investment (Residence) Subclass 888 visa, you would need to meet the following criteria:

• You have been in Australia on your subclass 188B visa for at least 2 years, within the 4 years prior to lodgement

• Maintained your investment in Australian State or Territory bonds for the last 4 years.

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Note that business migration can be extremely complex, and even determining whether you have a good chance of qualifying can be difficult. In addition, you may be able to qualify in a number of different business migration categories.

If you would like us to check your likely eligibility for business migration or if you would like us to assist you with your application, you can contact us through our website. We will then provide you with a comprehensive preliminary assessment of your likely eligibility for business migration, and can discuss with you the best way to proceed with your application.