Successful applicants receive state or territory government nomination based on investment proposals aligned with regional development priorities. The nomination process ensures investors possess adequate financial resources, documented investment experience, and commitment to maintaining qualifying investments throughout the provisional visa period. Applications may be lodged from within Australia or overseas, subject to specific visa requirements and state residency obligations.
1 Visa Duration and Investment Requirements
Initial Grant Period: The visa provides five years temporary residence from date of grant, during which investors must maintain designated investments in nominating states or territories as specified in nomination conditions.
Investment Maintenance: After maintaining qualifying investments in Australia for four years, visa holders become eligible to apply for permanent residence through the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) subclass 888 visa, transitioning from provisional to permanent status.
State Residency Requirements: Investors must reside in the nominating state or territory for at least two years during the provisional visa period, demonstrating genuine commitment to regional settlement and investment maintenance in designated jurisdictions.
Family Inclusion: Eligible family members including spouses and dependent children may be included in both provisional visa applications and subsequent permanent residency applications, enabling family settlement during investment periods.
2 Eligibility and Application Location
State Nomination Requirement: Applications require formal nomination from Australian state or territory governments, demonstrating that proposed investments align with regional economic development priorities and meet jurisdiction-specific investment thresholds and criteria.
Offshore Applications: Applicants located outside Australia may lodge visa applications directly, subject to meeting all eligibility requirements including state nomination, investment capacity demonstration, and standard health and character assessments.
Onshore Applications: Applicants currently in Australia must hold substantive visas or Bridging A, B, or C visas at application time. Onshore applicants must demonstrate compliance with current visa conditions and intention to maintain state residency requirements throughout provisional periods.
Investment Documentation: Applications require comprehensive evidence of investment capacity, financial history, asset sources, and proposed investment plans meeting state nomination criteria and Department of Home Affairs standards for designated investment categories.
3 State Requirements and COVID-19 Considerations
State-Specific Criteria: Each Australian state and territory maintains unique investment requirements, minimum investment thresholds, and additional conditions reflecting regional economic priorities. Research which jurisdictions align with your investment capacity and settlement preferences.
COVID-19 Concessions: Special provisions were implemented for subclass 188 and 888 visa holders during pandemic periods, including modified residency requirements and investment maintenance conditions. Consult current guidelines regarding any ongoing concessions or adjusted requirements.
Nomination Process: State and territory nomination procedures involve detailed assessment of investment proposals, financial capacity verification, and evaluation of economic benefit to regional development. Allow adequate time for state nomination processing before visa application lodgement.
Compliance Obligations: Visa holders must maintain designated investments as specified, meet state residency requirements, and comply with all visa conditions throughout the five-year provisional period to preserve permanent residency eligibility.
4 Program Status and Alternative Options
Program Closure: The Business Innovation and Investment Program ceased accepting new applications from September 2024. Applicants who submitted applications before this date continue processing under existing arrangements, with provisions for application charge refunds for those choosing to withdraw.
Current Application Status: Existing applications lodged prior to program closure proceed through normal assessment channels. Maintain regular contact with state nomination bodies and the Department of Home Affairs regarding application progress and information requirements.
Immigration Policy Updates: Australian business and investment visa policies underwent significant changes in 2021 and subsequent years. Stay informed about current requirements, state nomination criteria, and any transitional arrangements affecting subclass 188B applications.
Your Success Partner
AI Global provides comprehensive support for 188B Investment visa applicants, assisting with state nomination liaison, investment structure planning, documentation preparation, and application lodgement. Our experienced team guides you through eligibility assessment, state selection, and investment compliance requirements, maximizing your prospects for successful investment establishment and eventual permanent residency.
Contact us today to explore your options for the 188B Investment visa and begin your journey toward investment-based permanent settlement in Australia.