Significant Investor Subclass 188c and 888c

The Significant Investor Stream is intended for business investors holding a significant amount of wealth who are willing to invest an amount of at least AUD 5,000,000 towards funds, investments and securities specified by the Minister.

Unlike the Business Innovation Stream and Investor Stream, the SIV does not require proof of certain minimum asset and other requirements (beside the proof of lawfully acquired and unencumbered AUD 5,000, 000), nor is there a Points Test applied to this stream.

To be eligible, an applicant:

• must be nominated by an Australian State or Territory government agency;
• must make a complying significant investment of at least AUD 5 million at the time of invitation to invest and have a genuine intention to hold that investment for at least 4 years;
• must demonstrate the lawful acquisition of the source of funds; and
• (and their partner) must have had no history of involvement in business or investment activities that are of a nature that is not generally unacceptable in Australia.

This visa allows the holders of Subclass 188c to apply for the permanent residency if they continue satisfying the minimum requirements as below:

• Hold the complying investment or complying significant investment for the required period of time;
• Live in Australia for a required period of time before the application; and
• Not have been involved in unacceptable business or investment activities.