Investor Stream (SC 188B) Visa
Overview
This provisional visa is for entrepreneurs who want to conduct business and investment activity in Australia. The main requirement of this visa is to have a minimum investment of AUD 2.5 million and at the same time meet specific criteria. Additionally, you must demonstrate your commitment to maintaining business or investment activity within Australia.
Benefits of this visa
Australia’s strong economy creates countless opportunities for foreign investors who are seeking to build a mark in their industry.
Once granted this visa, you can be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa if certain qualifications are met.
Be with your family
Operating and managing investments is not an easy route to take especially if you’re doing it in a foreign country. However, with this visa, you can bring your family and loved ones with you to Australia.
Application process
Here’s a simplified breakdown of the Investor Stream (Provisional) Visa (SC 188B) application process. If you’re having a hard time understanding this process, you can enquiry with us to find out more
Check your qualifications
Here are the requirements for the SC 188A visa
Being an entrepreneur alone is not enough to be eligible for this visa. Aside from owning a business, you also need to fulfill these specified asset requirements:
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For at least 1 of the 5 fiscal years immediately before we invite you to apply, have directly managed:
AUD 2.5 million owned by you, your partner, or you and your partner combined, if invited on or after 1 July 2021.
AUD 1.5 million owned by you, your partner, or you and your partner combined if invited before 1 July 2021.
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When you are invited to apply for this visa, you, your partner, or you and your partner combined must have total net business and personal assets of at least:
AUD2.5 million if you were invited to apply on or after 1 July 2021
AUD2.25 million if you were invited to apply before 1 July 2021
Submit your EOI
In applying for this visa, you have to gain an invitation from an Australian state or territory. To do that, you have to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). The Expression of Interest (EOI) outlines your skills, qualifications, and business experience and the state or territory you would like to operate in – and that you can meet the 65 points required to be invited to apply for this visa.
You receive points for your:
Age
Financial assets
English language level
Business turnover
Educational Qualifications
Business experience
Special endorsement from an Australian State or Territory
Business innovation qualifications
Get Nominated
After submitting your EOI, an Australian State or Territory government agency must nominate you to be able to apply for this visa.
Update: For the Financial Year 2023-2024, the Australian government didn’t release new allocations for the Business Innovation and Investment Program.
Apply for the visa
There is no specific timeline for when a State or Territory sends its nomination to applicants. However, once you are granted a nomination, you can apply for this visa either onshore or offshore. It’s important to note that the State or Territory government agency that nominates you must not withdraw their nomination after you apply.
Cost
This visa costs AUD9,450.00 for the main applicant.
Additional applicant over 18 years old: AUD4,725.00
Additional applicant under 18 years old: AUD2,365.00
Any applicant 18 years old or older who has less than functional English must also pay an extra charge.
The second instalment charges are:
Main applicant: AUD9,795
Family members: AUD4,890
Requirements per State
Victoria
be under 55 years of age,
intend to live in Victoria,
be able to make a complying investment of at least A$2.5 million in Victoria,
have scored at least 80 points,
be committed to meet the requirements for permanent residence
New South Wales
be under 50 years of age
have a bachelor’s degree recognized as equivalent to the Australian standard, or
in the past 10 years have at least:
5 years of successful investment history, or
3 years work experience in a NSW target sector, or
5 years work experience in a non-target sector
Queensland
demonstrate a genuine commitment to Queensland
have net and personal assets of at least $3m ready to be transferred to QLD
$2.5m for complying investment
$500k for Settlement in QLD
South Australia
Aside from fulfilling the criteria outlined by the Department of Home Affairs, you must also complete the criteria set by the state of South Australia. Meeting both sets of criteria is a requirement if you wish to proceed with your application for a nomination. To be eligible in the state of South Australia, you must:
Must intend to live in South Australia
Agree to make and maintain a $2.5m investment (for ages under 55) or $3.75m investment (for ages over 55) for the duration of the visa in a complying investment fund
The investment fund must materially benefit SA
Provide detailed information on the viability and economic impact of the proposal to South Australia
Agree to register your arrival in South Australia with Skilled & Business Migration and maintain current contact details for the duration of your visa
Tasmania
Information about the 188b visa requirement in Tasmania is currently unavailable.
Western Australia
Information about the 188b visa requirement in Western Australia is currently unavailable.
Accreditation
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