Australia offers several investment visas designed to attract wealthy individuals and business owners who can contribute significantly to the Australian economy. These visas provide a pathway to permanent residency in exchange for a substantial investment and active involvement in a qualifying business or investment activity.
The most popular investment visa streams fall under the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188). This is a temporary visa, typically valid for five years, that allows holders to live and operate a business in Australia. It then provides a pathway to permanent residency via the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888), provided certain criteria are met.
Several streams exist within the subclass 188 visa:
- Business Innovation stream: This stream is for experienced business owners with a successful business background. Applicants must demonstrate a high level of business skills and a willingness to establish, manage, and own a new or existing business in Australia. Criteria include a minimum business and personal net asset value, turnover thresholds for the business, and a commitment to active management.
- Investor stream: This stream requires applicants to make a designated investment of AUD 2.5 million in complying investments in an Australian state or territory. Applicants must also have a successful investment background, demonstrate a high level of investment skills, and meet specific asset requirements.
- Significant Investor stream: This stream requires a substantial investment of AUD 5 million in complying significant investments in Australia. There are fewer requirements regarding business background or age compared to the other streams. This pathway is popular with individuals seeking a relatively straightforward path to residency through investment.
- Premium Investor stream: This stream requires a minimum investment of AUD 15 million in complying investments. It offers a fast-tracked pathway to permanent residency.
- Entrepreneur stream: This stream targets entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas backed by a funding agreement. Applicants need to demonstrate a genuine intention to undertake a complying entrepreneur activity in Australia.
Beyond the subclass 188 visa, the Business Talent (Permanent) visa (subclass 132) offers immediate permanent residency. There are two streams under this visa:
- Significant Business History stream: This stream is for high-calibre business owners who have a substantial ownership interest in a qualifying business and a genuine intention to maintain an ownership interest and active involvement in the business in Australia.
- Venture Capital Entrepreneur stream: This stream is for individuals who have obtained venture capital funding from a member of the Australian Venture Capital Association Limited (AVCAL) to start or commercialize a high-value business idea in Australia.
It’s important to note that all investment visa streams have specific eligibility requirements and are subject to change. These include age limits, English language proficiency, health and character checks, and financial capacity. Applicants are advised to seek professional advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer to determine the most suitable visa pathway and ensure a successful application.