IT ALLOWS:

This visa allows applicants to own and manage a business, or conduct business and investment activity, or undertake an entrepreneurial activity in Australia.

ELIGIBILITY & CRITERIA:

Business Innovation Stream (Innovation)

The Business Innovation Stream requires you to have owned a business and to be intending to establish business operations in Australia.

You will need to meet the following specific requirements which include:

• A total net business and personal assets of AUD1.25 that will be used for the incorporation of or investment into an Australian business.
• An ownership interest in a business that had an annual turnover of at least AUD$750,000
• Being under 55 years of age, unless the State or Territory Government believe your business will make an exceptional economic benefit
• Meet the points threshold requirement (Currently 65)
• Have an overall successful business career

**Following the grant of your provisional 188 Innovation visa, MND Co can provide Business Consulting services to assist you with meeting the requirements for the permanent 888 visa.**

 Investor Stream (IV)

The investor stream is for those who want to make a complying investment of at least AUD 2.5m in the following proportions:

The applicant will also have to provide evidence that shows:

• 3 years of experience either managing a qualifying business or “eligible investments”, and have showed a high level of management skill
• For at least 1 of the 5 fiscal years, you have directly managed one of the following:
• Managed a business in which you hold a 10% shareholding; or
• Manage “eligible investments” of at least AUD 2.5 million

‘Eligible investments’ include:

• Ownership interests in a business
• Cash on deposit
• Stocks or bonds
• Real estate
• Gold or bullion
• Loan(s) to a business

Significant Investor stream (SIV)

Unlike the Business Innovation stream and Investor streams, there are no caps on age nor does the applicant need to satisfy a Points Test of any sort. The main thing to be shown is that the applicant has a net value of $5 million, lawfully acquired and unencumbered, for which they can use towards their Complying Significant Investment.

A “complying investment” for the purposes of the Significant Investor Visa must be made up of the following proportions:

• The managed funds can invest in a range of assets, including companies listed on the Australian stock exchange, Australian corporate bonds or notes, annuities and commercial real estate.
• Direct investment in residential real estate is prohibited.
• Indirect investment in residential property through managed funds is strictly limited.
• Applicants must not use investments as security or collateral for a loan.

Document Checklist for this visa can be found here.

Entrepreneur Stream 188E

All applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Nomination by a state or territory government
• Competent English
• Under 55 Years of age, unless a State or Territory Government nominates you as providing an “exceptional economic benefit” to the state or territory
• Funding agreement in place for at least $200,000 to establish a venture in Australia
• Ownership interest of at least 30% in the venture

Acceptable Business Activities

The proposed venture would need to be either:

• Commercialisation of a product or service in Australia; or
• Development of an enterprise or business in Australia

Certain activities which are not considered sufficiently innovative will be excluded. This are defined by legislative instrument and include:

• Purchase of an existing business or franchise
• Real estate activities
• Labour hire activities

Eligible funding

To apply for the Entrepreneur Visa, you will need to have an agreement for at least $200,000 in funding from one or more of the following sources:

• Commonwealth agencies
• State and territory governments
• Publicly funded research organisations
• Investors registered as Venture Capital Limited Partnerships or Early-Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnerships

The funding agreement must involve the transfer of at least 10% of the funds within 12 months of commencing the activity in Australia.

Document Checklist for this visa can be found here.

 WHERE CAN I APPLY FROM:

You can be in or outside Australia​ when you lodge your application (or hold a BVA, BVB, BVC).

CAN I INCLUDE FAMILY MEMBERs:

You can include:

• Spouses, defacto partners and same-sex partners
• Dependent children

PERMANENT RESIDENCY PATHWAYS:

It is possible to apply for a Subclass 888 Permanent Business Innovation and Investment Visa if you have been nominated by the State or Territory Government who nominated you for the subclass 188 visa (unless you have obtained permission to change State or Territory and meet the other requirements of 888 visa).