Australia Investor Visa 188B - Immigration And Citizenship

About 188B Australia Business Invesment Visa

The Australia Invesment Visa 188B is an opportunity for experienced investors with strong financial capability. To qualify, investors must commit AUD 2,500,000 into designated investment funds in Australia and maintain this investment until they are eligible to apply for the 888B Visa, which is typically after a minimum of 3 years.

Once all the stipulated requirements are met, the investor will be granted permanent residency under the 888B Visa. This process does not require any additional investment. Notably, the applicant's spouse and children under 23 years of age will also receive accompanying visas.

Time to Residency

At least 2 years

Minimum Investment

2,5 million AUD

Type of Investment

Entrepreneur investment

Visa-free Countries

Freedom to enter and exit Australia.

Benefits of the Australia 188B Visa

Holders of the 188B visa will enjoy various benefits when settling in Australia:

The right to conduct business activities and invest in financial funds in Australia.
The ability to sponsor eligible relatives to join them in Australia.
The visa holder's family can reside in Australia for up to 5 years for applications submitted after July 1, 2021 (previously, the maximum visa duration was 4 years and 3 months).
Freedom to travel in and out of Australia.
If eligible, the visa holder can apply for the permanent residency visa 888B to settle in Australia permanently.

Advantages of the Australia 188B Visa

The benefits of investing under the 188B visa include:

An average investment return rate of approximately 8-10% per year
No requirement to directly manage a business
When applying for the 888B Visa, the spouse of the accompanying person (who already holds the 188B visa) can replace the primary 188B applicant in fulfilling the necessary requirements to qualify for the 888B visa

Eligibility Requirements for 188B Visa

Applicants must meet the following conditions:

Applicant Capability Requirements

Under 55 years old
Nominated by a state or territory government in Australia and the nomination has not been withdrawn after submission
Have at least 3 years of direct experience in running and managing one or more businesses, or qualified investment funds in Vietnam
In one of the last 5 financial years, must own at least 10% of the shares in an operating business in Vietnam, including the shares owned by a spouse. Alternatively, the applicant must manage an investment fund with a minimum value of 2.5 million AUD.
In the last 2 financial years, the applicant and spouse must have a net worth of at least 2.5 million AUD
Achieve a minimum of 65 points on the migration points scale, including factors such as age, English language proficiency, education, business experience, personal and business assets, revenue, business innovation capability, and special certifications
Have a plan to reside for a minimum of 2 years in the nominating state
Must not have breached Australian law, must meet health and character requirements, and have no outstanding debts to the Australian government
Must not have previously had an Australian visa application refused or canceled
Must sign a commitment to comply with Australian laws and respect the lifestyle of Australian people.

Investment:

Invest a minimum of 2.5 million AUD into legal funds in Australia with specific proportions:

20% (minimum 500,000 AUD) into investment funds for small or newly established private companies.
30% (minimum 750,000 AUD) into investment funds for emerging companies listed on the Australian stock exchange.
50% (minimum 1,250,000 AUD) into balanced investment funds.

Process for obtaining an Australian Business Innovation and Investment visa (188B)

Step 1: Determine if you are eligible to apply for the Australian Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188B).
Step 2: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to a state or territory government in Australia to express your desire to invest and settle.
Step 3: Wait to receive an invitation from the state or territory government in Australia after they review and approve your EOI.
Step 4: After receiving the invitation, prepare all necessary documents to apply for the 188B visa.
Step 5: Submit your 188B visa application to the Australian Department of Home Affairs and pay the required visa fee.
Step 6: The Australian Department of Home Affairs will review and assess your application to ensure it meets the requirements.
Step 7: After your application is approved, you will receive an investment invitation from the Australian Department of Home Affairs. At this point, you will transfer the investment funds to Australia and proceed with the investment as committed.
Step 8: Once the investment is completed, the Australian Department of Home Affairs will grant you the 188B visa.

Obligations while holding the 188B visa

Investors and accompanying family members holding the 188B visa must fulfill all required obligations, including:

Ensure compliance with Australian regulations and laws throughout the stay.
Invest a minimum of 2.5 million AUD into investment funds in Australia and maintain this investment as committed.
The applicant must live in the area where the investment is made for at least 2 years. This is a necessary condition to be eligible for the 888B visa and to become a permanent resident of Australia.

Notes on the 188B Visa Program

Investors can sponsor their spouse or children under 23 to join them in Australia while holding the 188B visa. However, it is important to note the following key points:

Visa processing times may extend beyond 2 years, so consider bringing children under 20 with you to avoid issues related to processing times.
Families need to purchase private health insurance in Australia, as the 188B visa is a temporary visa and does not qualify for Medicare until becoming a permanent resident.
Individuals with conditions such as hepatitis or tuberculosis may not be eligible for the 188B visa. However, if the applicant can demonstrate that their health condition is improving and has the financial means for treatment, there is still a chance of obtaining the visa.
Only make investments after receiving an invitation from the Australian Department of Home Affairs. Investments made prior to receiving the invitation, such as purchasing a business or property, will not be recognized.
To sponsor parents or other relatives to Australia, the applicant must hold a permanent residency visa (888B).
Individuals with a criminal record in any country will not be granted the 188B visa.

Documents required for applying for the 188B visa

To apply for the 188B visa, you need to prepare the following documents:

Identification documents:

Color copies of all pages of the valid passport
Identity card
Proof of name change (if applicable)

Business, investment, and asset documents:

Investment business plan in Australia: Includes a detailed plan, market research reports, etc.
Form 1139A (mandatory)
Documents proving assets: Cash; Real estate; Personal loans; Stocks and bonds; Business financial statements; Proof of share ownership; etc
Documents related to investment funds in Australia: List of investment funds along with the amount invested in each fund. Declaration of the source of funds and proof of the legality of the investment funds.
Documents proving management and ownership experience: If the applicant owns at least 10% of shares in a business, provide management activity reports, proof of ownership, organizational charts, and business licenses. Alternatively, if managing an investment fund with a minimum value of 2.5 million AUD, provide a summary report on fund management.

Migration points scale

Documents proving the attainment of the required 65 migration points: Includes English language certificates, academic qualifications, proof of assets, company revenue, and other relevant documents.

English language certificates:

If not available, the applicant or accompanying person must pay for English language sponsorship.

Health documents:

Health clearance documents: These documents will be sent directly to the Australian Department of Home Affairs by the medical facility.

Police clearance certificate:

Form 80: The form required for police clearance checks.
Police clearance certificate: From any country where the applicant has lived for a total of 12 months or more in the past 10 years (from the age of 16).
Military service records or discharge certificate: For individuals who have previously served in the armed forces.

Documents for accompanying persons (if applicable)

Identification documents: Documents confirming the identity of the accompanying person.
Proof of meeting the requirements for accompanying persons: Documents showing that the accompanying person meets the necessary criteria.
Relationship documents: Proof of the relationship with the primary applicant (spouse, children, etc.).

Costs for applying for the 188B visa

9,450 AUD for the primary applicant
4,725 AUD for each accompanying person aged 18 or over
2,365 AUD for each accompanying person under 18

Second English language sponsorship fee

9,795 AUD for the primary applicant
4,890 AUD for each accompanying person

(If the applicant or accompanying person aged 18 or over does not meet the English language requirements, additional fees may apply.)

Processing time for the 188B visa

The processing time for the Australian 188B visa can vary depending on the specific case.

Here are the average processing times:

25% of applications are processed within 26 months
50% of applications are processed within 29 months
75% of applications are processed within 36 months
90% of applications are processed within 39 months

Frequently asked questions about the 188B investor visa

Which investment funds are considered eligible under the 188B visa?

Investors must invest in a fund approved by the designated state or territory (Complying Investment Fund). Typically, the fund allocates 20% to venture capital, 30% to listed or emerging companies, and the remainder to bonds or other permitted assets. Choosing the correct fund is mandatory to qualify for permanent residency.

What benefits do dependents have under the 188B visa?

Spouses and dependent children under 23 years old can accompany the investor. They are entitled to live, study, and work legally in Australia. Children can attend public schools with discounted tuition fees. Upon transitioning to the 888B permanent residency visa, the family enjoys full rights of Australian permanent residents.

What are the requirements to transition from the 188B visa to the 888B permanent residency visa?

Investors must maintain a compliant investment for at least 4 years, reside in Australia for a minimum of 2 years, and comply with all investment commitments. After meeting these requirements, they can apply for the 888B visa to become a permanent resident, paving the way toward eventual citizenship.

Australian Immigration Consultancy Services for the 188B Visa

As one of the leading consultancy firms in Vietnam specializing in immigration investment, Second Citizenship (Quốc Tịch Thứ Hai) is proud to serve as a bridge, bringing Australia’s reputable immigration programs to clients in need.

We are currently a strategic partner of multiple government agencies managing investment programs and collaborate with numerous Australian immigration consultancy firms.

With extensive experience advising and assisting clients interested in Australia’s immigration programs, we are committed to providing the most comprehensive solutions for clients seeking to immigrate to Australia under the business investor category.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the Australian 188B investment visa, please contact Second Citizenship's Hotline to receive free advice from top experts in the field of immigration and residency.

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