This temporary 4-year visa opens the door of investment migration to Australia but doesn’t grant the permanent residence. After the trial investment period ends, investors are assessed for getting the permanent residence through the visa 888.

The visa has 3 investment streams that differ by the amount of money being funnelled:

• Australia investor stream requires investing at least 1.5 million AUD into a new startup or already operating Australian business and participating in its management. Nomination of the government is mandatory for this stream.

• Significant investor visa (SIV) requires investing at least 5M AUD into a new or already operating Australian business and participating in its management. The nomination of the government or the Austrade (Australian Trade Commission) is mandatory. There is a certain way how these 5M AUD must be distributed: 500k AUD in a venture capital or private equity funds supporting new startups, then 1.5M AUD in investment companies or managed funds investing in new companies, and finally 3M AUD in companies investing in assets. All of these recipients must be eligible.

• Premium investor visa (PIV) requires investing at least 15M AUD and being engaged in Australian business. The government is interested in a smaller, but more skilled group of investors who are able to introduce more value and greater long-term effect on the country’s economy. For this reason, only those candidates invited by the government are allowed to apply for the visa and the selection for this kind of visa is very strict.

• Business innovation stream requires establishing a new business in Australia and managing it. Government’s nomination is obligatory. This stream is a perfect opportunity for business talents to get a permanent residence (with the next stage – visa 888) without making any direct investment.

It is important to know that, according to the recently updated rules, investing directly in non-commercial real estate doesn’t count as complying for the SIV. The government finds no sense in funnelling funds in already thriving real estate sector that has no deficit in a constant flow of money. Of course, investing in this sector isn’t prohibited as the investor meets overseas investment principles, but this doesn’t guarantee them getting the SIV. The government plans to limit even indirect investment in the non-commercial real estate.

To get the permanent base for your investment undertaking in Australia, you need

• to have lived in Australia at least 2 years out of 4
• to show an excellent compliance with local laws.
• to be committed to maintain the established investment in AU
• to be still sponsored by the Australian government (either a state one or a territory one)
• to have your investment in AU bonds show an outstanding benefit for the country during the 4-year provisional visa 188

If these requirements of the temporary visa are met, the investor gets the right to settle in Australia permanently (with his family) and access all perks the locals enjoy: better opportunities for doing business, bigger investment freedom, benefits of Medicare, better education, and even upgrading to the status of the Australian citizen.

Although the permanent investment visa doesn’t expire, its re-entry component does. With your visa 888 approved you get a 5-year entry permission which means that you can travel abroad and come back with saving your PR status. This permission needs to be renewed every 5 years (which actually means getting a special “return” visa). Please, make sure your return visa is updated before going on travels.

For your visa 888 application, you don’t need to submit your interest through the SkillSelect once again unless you want to change the region of sponsorship (for example, being on visa 444). The fact of being still sponsored by the government is a sufficient reason for the application. Ensure you submit impeccable papers and provide well-grounded documentation that proves exceptional success and benefit of your investment.

Key Requirements for Visa 405

• Meeting AU standards of health and character for your age.
• Being sponsored by the government (either the state one or a territory one).
• Making an investment worth at least 750k AUD in the state you got sponsored in.
• Having no other dependents except a partner (a partner mustn’t have dependents as well).
• Suitable medical insurance covering healthcare expenses for your age for the whole period of your stay (at least 4 years).
• Having assets worth 750k AUD (for living in the regional Australia, the amount is less); assets must be legally earned and prepared to a transfer to AU.
• Having sufficient funds for living in Australia for 4 years: annual income mustn’t be less than 65k AUD (for living in the regional Australia, the amount is less).
• Being faithful to the performed investment during the visa duration (4 years): you won’t be able to withdraw your funds unless your circumstances are special.

Making an investment is a mandatory requirement for getting the visa 405. It is important to mention that the amount of contribution can be less (500k AUD) if you plan to settle in the regional Australia. Don’t confuse this investment with transferring your assets (numbers are similar). Both of these actions must be done in order to get qualified for the visa as they aren’t interchangeable.

Applying for the visa entails filling up relevant application forms and submitting them to the government of the territory you have chosen for the dwelling. Then ask the treasury corporation of that territory for details of your future investment and for the investment application form. After your application is processed, you can handle the transferring with the chosen treasury corporation. You will find out the exact interest rate after transferring money.

The visa cannot be renewed, so if you wish to stay after the visa terminates, you need to pursue another visa.