Business & Investment Visas

Business Innovation and Investment Visa Streams

The Subclass 188 visa program offers multiple streams tailored to different business and investment profiles. The Business Innovation stream is designed for experienced business owners seeking to establish a new or existing business in Australia, requiring a minimum business turnover of AUD 750,000 in at least one of the last four fiscal years, ownership of at least 30% of the business (or 10% for publicly listed companies), and total net assets of at least AUD 1.25 million. The Investor stream targets individuals with a history of successful investment and management activity who can invest at least AUD 2.5 million in a complying investment for the visa period. The Significant Investor stream (SIV) is designed for high-net-worth individuals who can invest AUD 5 million in complying investments and who meet no age or points test requirements, offering the most flexible pathway to permanent residence. The Entrepreneur stream requires a funding agreement of at least AUD 200,000 from a third-party funding provider for an innovative business idea. Each stream has a provisional period of between 2 and 5 years, after which visa holders may apply for the Subclass 888 permanent visa if they have met the relevant business activity, investment, or residency requirements during their provisional period.

Global Talent Visa and Exceptional Talent Pathways

The Subclass 858 Global Talent visa offers a streamlined, priority-processed pathway to permanent residence for exceptionally talented individuals in 10 target sectors: Resources, Agri-food and AgTech, Energy, Health Industries, Defence, Advanced Manufacturing and Space, Circular Economy, DigiTech, Infrastructure and Tourism, and Financial Services and FinTech. Applicants must demonstrate an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in their field, be able to attract a salary at or above the Fair Work High Income Threshold (currently AUD 175,000), and have a nominator who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident in the same field, an Australian organisation, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. The Global Talent visa requires a formal endorsement through the Global Talent attract and identify process before a visa application can be lodged. Successful applicants receive permanent residence with full work and study rights, and there is no requirement for a business or investment commitment. The visa is designed to attract the world's best and brightest talent to Australia, offering a straightforward pathway with priority processing typically completed within 8-12 weeks for complete applications. Our team provides strategic guidance on articulating your exceptional achievements, identifying suitable nominators, and presenting a compelling talent case.

Complying Investments and Financial Requirements

Investor and Significant Investor visa streams require applicants to maintain complying investments throughout the provisional visa period. For the Investor stream, the complying investment framework (as of 2024 changes) requires a minimum AUD 2.5 million investment across three components: AUD 500,000 in venture capital and growth private equity funds, AUD 750,000 in emerging companies approved managed funds, and AUD 1.25 million in balancing investments (managed funds investing in eligible assets including Australian equities, corporate debt, and infrastructure). The Significant Investor stream requires a AUD 5 million complying investment across the same three components with proportional adjustments. These investments must be maintained throughout the provisional visa period, and changes to investments must comply with the Department's reinvestment rules. Applicants must hold the complying investment for the entire provisional period to qualify for the permanent visa. The Department closely monitors compliance with investment requirements, and failure to maintain complying investments can result in visa cancellation or refusal of the permanent visa application. Our team provides comprehensive advice on complying investment options, engagement with authorised investment advisers, and strategies for managing investment compliance throughout the visa period.

Pathway to Permanent Residence and Business Obligations

Transitioning from the provisional Subclass 188 visa to permanent residence through the Subclass 888 visa requires careful planning and diligent compliance with visa conditions. Business Innovation stream visa holders must demonstrate continued business ownership, active management of the Australian business, and achievement of minimum business turnover and asset thresholds during the provisional period. The specific requirements vary depending on the stream and circumstances, with the Business Innovation stream typically requiring two years of active business operation in Australia with turnover of at least AUD 300,000 per annum. Investor and Significant Investor stream visa holders must maintain their complying investments throughout the provisional period and meet the minimum residence requirements (40 days per year for the Investor stream, 60 days per year for the Significant Investor stream). The provisional visa period differs between streams: Business Innovation and Investor stream holderse require 4 years before applying for the permanent visa, while the Significant Investor stream requires 4 years with the possibility of extension. Our team provides ongoing compliance support throughout the provisional period, ensuring that business visa holders maintain records of business activities, investment compliance, and residency to support their permanent residence application at the conclusion of the provisional period.

Business & Investment Visas FAQs (Queensland Law)