Investor Stream Visa – Subclass 188

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THIS VISA?

• Minimum Eligible investment and Qualifying Investment requirements have to be met;
• For at least one of the 5 fiscal years immediately before the application is made one of the following applies:
  • you have maintained direct involvement in either managing a qualifying business in which you (or you and your spouse or de facto partner together) had at least 1 ownership interest; OR
  • you have maintained direct involvement in managing your (or your and your spouse or de facto partner’s combined) eligible investments, the total value of which was at least AUD 1.5M
• For the 2 fiscal years immediately before receiving invitation to apply, you, your partner, or you and your partner together, have business and personal assets with a net value of at least AUD2.5M. These assets must have been lawfully acquired and be available for transfer to Australia within 2 years of the visa being granted.
• You have at least 3 cumulative years of experience of direct involvement in managing a qualifying business and/or eligible investment and have an overall successful record.
• You must be nominated by an Australian State or Territory government agency before being invited to apply for this visa.
• You must be under 55 unless the nominating State or Territory has provided their support to waive the age requirement due to your proposed investment activity being of exceptional economic benefit;
• Meet the points test pass mark, set as 65;
• When you are invited to apply, you must make a complying significant investment of at least AUD2.5 million. You must hold complying significant investments continuously for the life of your provisional visa (5 years). It must be invested in the following proportions:
  • at least AUD500,000 in venture capital and growth private equity funds which invest in start-ups and small private companies;
  • at least AUD750,000 in approved managed funds. The managed funds must invest in emerging companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange;
  • a ‘balancing investment’ of at least AUD1.25 million in managed funds.
• The managed funds can be invested in a range of assets, including companies listed on the Australian stock exchange, Australian corporate bonds or notes, annuities and commercial real estate.
• Only indirect investment in residential property through managed funds can apply.
• You must satisfy the Department of Home Affairs that once you have made the designated investment you have a realistic commitment to undertake investment activities OR establish or participate in a qualifying business in Australia and maintain substantial ownership and direct and continuous involvement in the management of that business. There is no business turnover requirement.