Navigating the Significant Investor Visa (subclass 188C) Process: Everything You Need to Know

 

The Significant Investor Visa (SIV) is issued by the Australian government to encourage high net worth individuals to invest in the Australian economy. The Significant Investor Visa falls under subclass 188C of the Business Innovation and Investment Visa program. The Significant Investor Visa provides a pathway to permanent residency in Australia for eligible investors who meet the criteria set by the Australian government.

 

Eligibility for SIV (subclass 188C) Visa

 

To be eligible for the SIV (subclass 188C) visa, an applicant must meet the following criteria

 

  • applicant must be over 18 years of age.
  • applicant must have a net worth of at least AUD 5 million.
  • applicant must invest at least AUD 5 million in complying investments in Australia for a minimum of four years.
  • applicant must demonstrate a functional level of English language proficiency.
  • applicant must meet the health and character requirements as set by the Australian government.

 

Investment requirements for SIV (subclass 188C) Visa

 

The applicant must invest at least AUD 5 million in complying investments in Australia for a minimum of four years.

 

Complying Investments Explained

 

  • Commonwealth, state or territory government bonds: The applicant may invest up to 20% of the AUD 5 million in these bonds.

 

  • Managed funds that invest in Australian assets: The applicant may invest up to 30% of the AUD 5 million in these funds.
    Australian proprietary companies: The applicant may invest up to 30% of the AUD 5 million in these companies.

 

  • Real property in Australia: The applicant may invest up to 10% of the AUD 5 million in real property in Australia, which must be held for commercial purposes.

 

  • Other investments approved by the Australian government: The applicant may invest up to 10% of the AUD 5 million in other investments that are approved by the Australian government.

 

  • The investment must be made through an Australian financial institution that is authorized to manage complying investments under the Significant Investor Visa program.

 

The complying investments must be held for a minimum of four years and the applicant must maintain the AUD 5 million investment throughout the four year period. The applicant may be able to make changes to their investment portfolio during the four-year period, but they must comply with the investment requirements at all times.

 

Application process for SIV (subclass 188C) Visa

 

The application process for the SIV (subclass 188C) visa involves the following steps

 

  • Expression of interest (EOI): The applicant must submit an EOI through the SkillSelect system, indicating their interest in the SIV (subclass 188C) visa.

 

  • State or territory nomination: The applicant must be nominated by a state or territory government agency.

 

  • Invitation to apply: If the applicant is nominated by a state or territory government agency, they will receive an invitation to apply for the SIV (subclass 188C) visa.

 

  • Visa application: The applicant must submit a visa application, including all required documentation, within 60 days of receiving the invitation to apply.

 

  • Visa outcome: The Australian government will assess the visa application and make a decision on whether to grant the SIV (subclass 188C) visa.

 

The processing time for the SIV (subclass 188C) visa varies depending on the individual circumstances of the applicant and the complexity of their application.

 

The SIV (subclass 188C) visa provides a pathway to permanent residency in Australia for eligible high net worth investors who meet the investment and eligibility requirements set by the Australian government. The investment must be made in complying investments in Australia, and the applicant must maintain the investment.

Pros and Cons of the Significant Investor Visa (subclass 188C)

 

Pros

 

  • Pathway to Permanent Residency: The SIV (subclass 188C) visa provides a pathway to permanent residency in Australia for eligible investors.

 

  • No Age Limit: Unlike some other visa categories, there is no upper age limit for the SIV (subclass 188C) visa.

 

  • Flexible Investment Options: The SIV (subclass 188C) visa allows for a range of investment options, including government bonds and proprietary companies.

 

  • Access to Australian Markets: Investing in Australian companies or assets can provide investors with access to Australian markets and potentially generate a return on investment.

 

  • State Nomination: Applicants for the SIV (subclass 188C) visa must be nominated by a state or territory government agency.

 

Cons

 

  • High Investment Threshold: The minimum investment threshold for the SIV (subclass 188C) visa is AUD 5 million. This may be a barrier for some investors.

 

  • Complying Investment Requirements: The SIV (subclass 188C) visa requires that investments be made in complying investments in Australia.

 

  • Four-Year Holding Period: The SIV (subclass 188C) visa requires that investments be held for a minimum of four years. This means that investors must commit to a longer-term investment strategy and may have limited flexibility to make changes to their investment portfolio.

 

  • English Language Requirement: The SIV (subclass 188C) visa requires that applicants demonstrate a functional level of English language proficiency. This may be a barrier for some investors who do not speak English as their first language.

 

  • Health and Character Requirements: The SIV (subclass 188C) visa requires that applicants meet the health and character requirements set by the Australian government.

Significant Investor Visa (subclass 188C) FAQs

 

Q: What is the Significant Investor Visa (subclass 188C)?

A: The Significant Investor Visa (subclass 188C) is a visa category for high net worth individuals who wish to invest in Australia and potentially become permanent residents.

 

Q: Who is eligible for the SIV (subclass 188C) visa?

A: To be eligible for the SIV (subclass 188C) visa, an applicant must have a minimum net worth of AUD 5 million, make a complying investment of at least AUD 5 million in Australia, and be nominated by a state or territory government agency.

 

Q: What is the minimum investment threshold for the SIV (subclass 188C) visa?

A: The minimum investment threshold for the SIV (subclass 188C) visa is AUD 5 million.

 

Q: What are the investment options available for the SIV (subclass 188C) visa?

A: The investment options available for the SIV (subclass 188C) visa include government bonds, managed funds, and proprietary companies.

 

Q: What are the complying investment requirements for the SIV (subclass 188C) visa?

A: Complying investments for the SIV (subclass 188C) visa include investments in Australian securities exchange listed assets, Australian government or semi-government bonds, corporate bonds or notes issued by Australian companies, and investments in Australian proprietary companies.

 

Q: Can I apply for the SIV (subclass 188C) visa if I don’t speak English as my first language?

A: The SIV (subclass 188C) visa requires applicants to demonstrate a functional level of English language proficiency.

 

Q: What is the process for obtaining state nomination for the SIV (subclass 188C) visa?

A: The process for obtaining state nomination for the SIV (subclass 188C) visa varies by state or territory but typically involves submitting an expression of interest and meeting specific criteria set by the relevant government agency.

 

Q: How long must I hold my investments for under the SIV (subclass 188C) visa?

A: The SIV (subclass 188C) visa requires that investments be held for a minimum of four years.

 

Q: What are the health and character requirements for the SIV (subclass 188C) visa?

A: The SIV (subclass 188C) visa requires that applicants meet the health and character requirements set by the Australian government.

 

Q: Is the SIV (subclass 188C) visa a pathway to permanent residency in Australia?

A: Yes, the SIV (subclass 188C) visa is a pathway to permanent residency in Australia for eligible investors who meet the requirements.

 

Q: How long does it take to process an application for the SIV (subclass 188C) visa?

A: The processing time for an SIV (subclass 188C) visa application varies, but can take anywhere from a few months to a year or more.

 

Q: Can family members be included in an SIV (subclass 188C) visa application?

A: Yes, family members such as spouses, de facto partners, and dependent children can be included in an SIV (subclass 188C) visa application.

 

Q: Are there any age restrictions for the SIV (subclass 188C) visa?

A: There are no age restrictions for the SIV (subclass 188C) visa, but applicants must meet all other eligibility criteria.

 

Q: Can I change my investment after receiving the SIV (subclass 188C) visa?

A: Once an SIV (subclass 188C) visa has been granted, investors must maintain their complying investment for the required period of time, but may be able to change investments within the complying investment framework.

 

Q: Can I apply for the SIV (subclass 188C) visa if I am already in Australia on another visa?

A: Yes, it may be possible to apply for the SIV (subclass 188C) visa while in Australia on another visa, but eligibility requirements must be met.

 

Q: What are the benefits of the SIV (subclass 188C) visa?

A: Benefits of the SIV (subclass 188C) visa include a pathway to permanent residency in Australia, the ability to bring family members, and potential business and investment opportunities in Australia.

 

Q: Can I apply for citizenship in Australia after receiving the SIV (subclass 188C) visa?

A: Yes, it may be possible to apply for citizenship in Australia after receiving the SIV (subclass 188C) visa and meeting the eligibility criteria.

Subject Matter Expert at Migration Made Simple | Website | + posts

Jacqueline Chow is an international immigration and visa expert with over 15 years of experience in the field. With a background in law and a passion for helping people, Jacqueline has built a reputation as a trusted and reliable source of information and advice on all aspects of immigration and visas. She has worked with clients from all over the world, including high-net-worth individuals, professionals, skilled workers and families. As a sought-after speaker and commentator Jacqueline has been featured in various media outlets and has given talks on immigration and visas at conferences and events around the world.

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