The Australian Business Investment visa, also known as the Subclass 188 visa, is a temporary visa designed for entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners who wish to establish or develop a business in Australia. This visa has five eligibility streams, each with its own set of requirements, and allows successful applicants to live and work in Australia for up to four years.
Pathways
There are five eligibility streams for the Australian Business Investment visa:
- Business Innovation Stream: For individuals with a successful business career who want to establish, develop, or manage a new or existing business in Australia.
- Investor Stream: For individuals who have at least AUD 1.5 million to invest in an Australian state or territory.
- Significant Investor Stream: For individuals who have at least AUD 5 million to invest in complying investments in Australia.
- Premium Investor Stream: For individuals who are willing to invest at least AUD 15 million into a complying premium investment in Australia.
- Entrepreneur Stream: For individuals who have a funding agreement from a third party for at least AUD 200,000 to undertake a complying entrepreneur activity in Australia.
Validity and Financial Requirements
The validity period for the Australian Business Investment visa is up to four years, depending on the stream. The Investor, Significant Investor, and Premium Investor streams have a validity period of four years, while the Business Innovation and Entrepreneur streams have a validity period of up to three years.
In terms of financial requirements, the Business Innovation Stream requires applicants to have a minimum net business and personal assets of AUD 800,000. For the Investor Stream, applicants must have a net worth of at least AUD 2.25 million and be willing to invest AUD 1.5 million in an Australian state or territory. The Significant Investor and Premium Investor streams require applicants to invest at least AUD 5 million and AUD 15 million, respectively, in complying investments in Australia. The Entrepreneur Stream requires a funding agreement from a third party for at least AUD 200,000 to undertake a complying entrepreneur activity in Australia.
Obligations
Applicants for the Australian Business Investment visa must fulfill certain obligations during their stay in Australia. These include:
- Meeting the requirements of the stream they applied for.
- Staying compliant with Australian laws and regulations.
- Reporting changes to their business or investment plans to the Department of Home Affairs.
- Keeping accurate financial and business records.
- Ensuring that their business or investment complies with Australian laws and regulations.
In conclusion, the Australian Business Investment visa is an excellent option for entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners who want to establish or develop a business in Australia. With five eligibility streams and varying financial requirements, the visa provides multiple pathways to individuals with different investment capacities. Successful applicants can enjoy up to four years of living and working in Australia while fulfilling their obligations to the Australian government.