188C Significant Investor Stream

Who is this Visa For?

This provisional visa is for people who invest at least AUD5 million in Australian investments that meet certain requirements and maintain investment activity in Australia. This visa provides a permanent residence (888 Visa) pathway to the holder of the visa.

  • make a complying significant investment of at least AUD5 million to venture capital funds, emerging companies investments and balancing investment for the life of your provisional visa;
  • your source of funds is legally obtained;
  • the investment funds are unencumbered;
  • live in Australia for a continuous period of 4 years

1) Complying Significant investment

If you are invited to apply on or after 1 July 2021, you must make (on or after the time of application for this visa) a complying significant investment of at least AUD5 million when you are invited to. You must also have a genuine intention to hold that investment for the life of your provisional visa. It must be invested in the following proportions:

  • at least AUD1 million in venture capital and growth private equity funds which invest in start-up and small private companies
  • at least AUD1.5 million in approved managed funds. The managed funds must invest in emerging companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange
  • a ‘balancing investment’ of at least AUD2.5 million in managed funds

2) Not have a history of involvement in unacceptable activities

You and your partner must have had no history of involvement in business or investment activities that are of a nature that is not generally acceptable in Australia.

3) Have functional English language

All applicants aged 18 or over at the time of application must either have at least functional English or pay the second instalment of the visa application charge. 

188C visa

New South Wales

NSW

You must make a complying significant investment of at least A$5,000,000 in NSW and have a genuine intention to hold that investment for the life of your provisional visa.

Complying investments

It must be invested in the following proportions:

  • at least A$1,000,000 in venture capital and growth private equity funds which invest in start-up and small private companies
  • at least A$1,500,000 in approved managed funds. The managed funds must invest in emerging companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange
  • a ‘balancing investment’ of at least A$2,500,000 in managed funds

Investing in NSW

To qualify for NSW nomination, you must show that your complying investments will contribute to the NSW economy.

NSW will refuse your nomination application for a permanent visa (subclass 888) if you cannot show your complying investments meet the following criteria:

Venture Capital and Growth Private Equity investment

At least 50% of your venture capital component must be invested in:

  • a venture capital fund investing in start-up and small-to-medium enterprises in NSW, or
  • a venture capital limited partnership that sources investments in NSW
Emerging companies

At least 50% of the emerging companies component must be invested in emerging companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange that are headquartered in NSW.

Balancing investment

At least 50% of your balancing investments must bring benefits to NSW. This can be shown where:

  • the funds have an office in NSW; or
  • the business of underlying investment is headquartered in NSW; or
  • the business activities of underlying investment are of economic benefit to NSW

Living in NSW

You must have a genuine commitment to reside in NSW and contribute to NSW through your investment activity.

Victoria

VIC

To be eligible to apply for Victorian Significant Investor stream (subclass 188C) visa nomination, you must:

  • intend to live in Victoria,
  • be able to make a complying investment of at least A$5 million in Victoria,
  • be committed to meet the Department of Home Affairs’ requirements for subclass 888B permanent residence

ACT

ACT
  • Meet Department of Home Affairs’ subclass 188C Significant Investor Stream requirements;
  • Make a complying investment of at least A$5 million and have a genuine intention to hold that investment for the life of your provisional visa.

  • Agree that you and any family members (*dependents) live, work and/or study in Canberra.

To qualify for ACT nomination, you must show that your (*complying investments) will make a contribution to the ACT economy. For example:

  • Venture capital and growth private equity fund investing in start-ups and small private companies in the ACT; or
  • Venture Capital Limited Partner (VCLP) fund component in a fund that is actively sourcing investment in the ACT.

Dependents: A dependent is spouse/partner, child or any other person that will be included in your application to migrate to Australia.

Complying Investments:
The Complying Investment Framework comprises mandatory investments in (A) and (B) and a balancing investment in (C). The investment must be in accordance with the Department of Home Affairs requirements.

At least $500,000 in venture capital and growth private equity funds which invest in start-ups and small private companies.

At least $750,000 / $1.5 million in approved managed funds investing in emerging companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.

A ‘balancing investment’ of at least $1.5 million / $3 million in managed funds that may invest in a range of assets, including ASX-listed companies, Australian corporate bonds or notes, annuities and commercial real estate.

South Australia

SA
  • To meet the South Australian nomination requirements, you must:

    • Meet the Department of Home Affairs subclass 188C significant investor stream criteria.
    • Intend to live in South Australia.
    • Agree to make and maintain an investment of AUD$5 million for the duration of the provisional visa in a complying investment fund. The complying investment fund must materially benefit 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.  
  • The choice of investment options is based on the client’s own preference and Department of Home Affairs complying investment requirements.
  • It is strongly recommended that applicants obtain professional legal and financial advice before investing or undertaking any business activity.
  • The South Australian Government will not advise on any investment made or any business activity to be undertaken by the applicant nor does it accept liability for any financial loss, cost of expense incurred as a result of any business decision, business activities or investments of the applicant or any person in any way connected with the significant investor program or otherwise.

The Commonwealth and State Government require applicants to agree to not take legal action against them for any loss of capital arising from the complying investment.

Queensland

QLD
  • To meet the Queensland nomination requirements, you must:

    • Meet the Department of Home Affairs subclass 188C significant investor stream criteria.
    • demonstrate a genuine commitment to Queensland.
    • have net assets of at least A$5 million, which will be invested in Complying Investment in accordance to Complying Investment Framework (CIF)
  • 20% in Venture Capital & Growth Private Equity funds (VCPE) that invest in start-up and small private Companies
  • 30% in approved managed funds that must invest in emerging companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.
  • 50% in balancing investments of managed funds.

After holding this provisional visa for 3 years, you may be eligible to apply for the permanent residency (subclass 888 visa). The 188 – Significant Investor stream can be extended up to 2 times.

Western Australia

WA

TBA

Northern Territory

NT

TBA

Tasmania

TAS

TBA

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