Business Innovation and Investment Visas (188)

Business visas are temporary visas that provide a pathway to permanent visas once certain criteria are met. It is a part of SkillSelect, and requires the applicant to first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and be invited to apply for the visa. No skills assessment is necessary although a points test applies. Once certain criteria are met, the holder may apply for a permanent Business Innovation and Investment (888) visa. There are multiple streams within this category of visa, but below are 3 of the most popular and common streams.

Business Innovation Stream

This stream is for people who want to own and manage a business in Australia.

Applicants must:
• be nominated by an Australian State or Territory
• be below 55 years of age, or is proposing to establish a business or investment activity that a nominating State/Territory considers to be of exceptional economic benefit
• meet the minimum score for the business innovation and investment points test, currently at 65
• have had an overall successful business career
• in the last 2 out of 4 fiscal years, had ownership interest in up to 2 businesses with annual turnover of at least A$750,000 in each of the 2 years. You will need to own at least:

51% of the total value of the business if turnover is less than A$400,000 per year
30% of the total value of the business if turnover is A$400,000 or more per year10% of the total value of the business if the business is a publicly listed company

• at time of invitation, have combined (with partner if applicable) net business and personal assets of A$1.25 million that can be applied to the establishment of a business in Australia within 2 years of visa grant

* other criteria may apply

Investor Stream

This stream is for people who want to make a designated investment of A$2.5 million in a state or territory bond and maintain a business and investment activity in Australia.

Applicants must:
• be nominated by an Australian State or Territory government agency
• be below 55 years of age, or is proposing to establish a business or investment activity that a nominating State/Territory considers to be of exceptional economic benefit
• meet the minimum score for the business innovation and investment points test, currently at 65
• had an overall successful record of owning and directly managing an eligible investment or qualifying business activity for at least 1 out of the last 5 fiscal years
• had a total of at least 3 years experience of direct involvement in managing one or more qualifying businesses or eligible investments
• demonstrated a high level of management skill in relation to the eligible investment or qualifying business activity
• maintained direct involvement in the qualifying business and had at least 10% ownership of the business or maintained direct involvement in managing the eligible investment with a total net value of at least A$2.5 million
• have at least A$2.5 million in net business and personal asset, available for transfer to Australia within 2 years of visa grant. The applicant must make an investment of the A$2.5 million according to the following proportions:

a. at least A$500,000 in venture capital or growth private equity (VCPE) funds
b. at least A$700,000 in approved managed funds listed on the ASX
c. a balancing investment of at least A$1.25 million in managed funds

Our agent at AL Migration can recommend trusted and approved investment advisors to assist with your requirements.

Significant Investor Stream (SIV)

The Significant Investor Visa is aimed at attracting applicants with business and entrepreneurial skills and capital to enhance investment into innovative Australian businesses and the commercialisation of Australian ideas, research and development. This stream requires applicants to invest A$5 million or more in complying investments.

Visa applicants must:
• submit an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect
• be nominated by a state or territory government or by Austrade
• make investments of at least $5 million into complying investments in Australia

The SIV does not have an age requirement or a points test, and successful applicants may apply for a permanent Business Innovation and Investment (888) visa after 4 years.

At the time of writing, these investments must include:

✓ At least A$1 million in eligible Australian venture capital or private equity (VCPE) fund(s) investing in start-up and small private companies.
✓ At least A$1.5 million in an eligible managed fund or Listed Investment Companies (LICs) that invest in emerging companies; and
✓ A ‘balancing investment’ of up to A$2.5 million in managed fund(s) or LICs that invest in a combination of eligible assets that include Australian listed securities, eligible corporate bonds or notes, annuities and real property (subject to a 10 per cent limit on residential real estate).

The SIV does not have an age requirement or a points test, and successful applicants may apply for a permanent Business Innovation and Investment (888) visa after 4 years.

For the latest information and assessment, please contact us to arrange for an appointment.