188C Significant Investor Visa
188C Significant Investor Visa visa is available only to applicants nominated by an Australian State or Territory government. To be nominated, the applicant must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Skill Select system.
This is a 5-year temporary visa for individuals willing to invest AUD 5 million in Australia. After maintaining the investment for 4 years, the applicant can apply for permanent residency through the Business Innovation & Investment (Residence) Subclass 888 visa.
Applicants can lodge this visa either from within Australia or from overseas.
If the applicant is in Australia, they must hold a Substantive Visa or a Bridging A, B, or C visa.
Advantages of the SIV 188 visa:
- No upper age limit
- No English language requirement
- No points test
- Allows for at least two extensions of 2 years each (if extension requirements are met)
- Lower residence requirement to apply for the 888 Permanent visa (40 days per year for the main applicant or 180 days for a spouse)
188C Significant Investor Visa (SIV) Stream
General Requirements: If you were invited to apply on or after July 1, 2021, you must make a complying significant investment of at least AUD 5 million after being invited to apply for this visa. You must also have a genuine intention to maintain this investment for the duration of your provisional visa. The investment must be allocated in the following proportions:
- At least AUD 1 million in venture capital and growth private equity funds that invest in start-ups and small private companies.
- At least AUD 1.5 million in approved managed funds, which must invest in emerging companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.
- A “balancing investment” of at least AUD 2.5 million in managed funds.
The managed funds can be invested in a variety of assets, including companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, Australian corporate bonds or notes, annuities, and commercial real estate.
Direct investment in residential real estate is not allowed. Indirect investment in residential property through managed funds is also strictly limited.
Additionally, you cannot use these investments as security or collateral for a loan.
Subclass 888 Visa Requirements: To qualify for a permanent Subclass 888 visa, you must:
- Spend at least 40 days per year in Australia on a Significant Investor visa for the past 4 years.
- Be sponsored by a state or territory government.
Other 188 Visa Eligibility Streams:
- Business Innovation – For business owners looking to establish business operations in Australia.
- Investor – For individuals willing to invest $1.5 million in Australian State or Territory bonds.
- Significant Investor – For individuals willing to invest $5 million in complying investments in Australia.
- Premium Investor – For those with substantial funds, willing to invest at least $15 million in complying premium investments in Australia.
- Entrepreneur – For individuals who have a funding agreement of at least AUD 200,000 from a third party to engage in a complying entrepreneurial activity.
Please note that business migration can be highly complex, and assessing your chances of qualifying may be challenging. Additionally, you might be eligible under multiple business migration categories.