SUBCLASS 188 - sIGNIFICANT iNVESTOR STREAM (SIV)
For those who have AUD$5 million to invest in a complying significant investment framework set out by the Australian government
No minimum skilled points or age limit
No requirements for prior business or investment background
No requirement to prove minimum period of owning your funds prior to visa application
Minimum requirement of Australian residence period:
- Stay for a minimum of only 40 days/year for each year you have held subclass 188 visa; OR
- Your spouse/de facto partner stays for 180 days/year for each year you have held the subclass 188 visa prior to the application of a permanent residence visa.No requirement to operate any business in Australia (Additional obligatory investments may be required according to each different nominating states’ requirements.
▶ Be nominated by a State/Territory or Austrade
▶ Be invited to apply by the Australian government via Skillselect
▶ Prove your personal net worth: at least AUD5 million at the time of invitation to apply the
ability to transfer the funds immediately upon invitation to invest.
▶ Prove a legitimate source of funds for the AUD5 million intended for investment in Australia
▶ Prove functional English for you and all applicants
(or pay 2nd instalment of visa application charges)
▶ Meet health requirement for you and all family members applying for the same visa.
▶ Meet character requirement for you and all family members applying for the same visa.
▶ No history of involvement in unacceptable activities
Stay in Australia
• Up to 5 years
What can I do with this visa?
• Carry out business or investment activity in Australia
• Unlimited travel in and out of Australia
• Bring eligible members of family with you;
• Be eligible to apply for permanent residence visa (subclass 888 -SIV Stream) upon
fulfilment of required conditions
When can I apply for permanent residence visa subclass 888 SIV stream?
• If invited to apply on or after 1 Jul 2021: After 3 years as a subclass 188 visa holder and having held
Complying Significant Investments (minimum of AUD$5 million) continuously for the whole period
up till grant of your PR visa.
If invited to apply before 1 Jul 2021: After 4 years as a subclass 188 visa holder and having held Complying Significant Investments (minimum of AUD$5 million) during that period.
Who can manage my SIV funds?
An Australian-based financial services licensee. This financial services
licensee must maintain at least AUD$100 million in firm-wide funds.
How long must I hold the complying significant investments for?
To be eligible for the SC 888 permanent residence visa:
Hold your complying significant investments of AUD$5 million minimum continuously for 3 years during the SC188 visa duration and up till the grant of your subclass 888 visa.
The subclass 188 SIV investments must be invested through a licensed Australia fund management company and distributed in this quantum:
Required distribution of the AUD$5 million investment :
▶ AUD 1 million (20%) = Venture capital and growth private equity funds
▶ AUD1.5 million (30%) = Emerging companies in Australian Stock Exchange (ASX)
▶ AUD2.5 million (50%) = Balancing investments in managed funds (comprising of securities,
bonds/notes, annuities, and cash , real estate property and derivatives (with
specific requirements).