A Comprehensive Guide to Emigration by Investment

Here are a few excellent reasons to use an Investor visa to route to Australia. Here are some of the main benefits:

  • The perfect alternative: to securing a work visa
  • Business Opportunities: With a strong economy and a favourable business climate Australia is an ideal location for business investors.
  • Residency: For the entire family, allowing you all to enjoy Australia’s high standard of living and excellent healthcare system.
  • Education: A world-class education system with some of the best schools and universities in the world.
  • Regulations: Based on the UK system. Australian regulatory and statutory authorities provide a safe investment environment.

The most popular option

Our A$1.5m route is currently the most popular. It allows a person to emigrate while offering comfort over the funds employed.

While A$500k is used to secure shares in a business, the A$1m is protected in a fund providing a fixed rate of interest per annum with the invested funds returned when you secure Permanent Residency. 

Therefore, assuming the worst-case scenario that the business is worthless after the initial four years. The cost of emigration for your family is capped at A$125K plus emigration fees.

Please note less than 50 places are remaining on the scheme and are allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.

How to Secure an Investor Visa?

Simple steps to secure your Investor visa:

  1. Eligibility: Complete our assessment form. We will be happy to provide information on all your options.
  2. Prepare Documentation: Investors provide documentation, including ID, proof of prior investments, financial information, etc.
  3. Submit Your Application: To the State Government and the Department of Home Affairs.
  4. Wait: For a decision from the Department of Home Affairs. The processing time can vary, be patient.
  5. Accept Your Visa: You must accept and follow all visa conditions. Enjoy Australia.

Investor Visa quotas?

Australia Investor visas are becoming increasingly popular, with more and more investors choosing to relocate to Australia. According to the Department of Home Affairs, there were 8,656 Investor visas granted in the 2021-22 financial year, an increase of 16% from the previous year. The popularity of Investor visas can be attributed to the many benefits they offer, including business opportunities, residency, and access to world-class education and healthcare systems.

Unfortunately, the current government has limited the places available to 1,900 for 2023 – 2024. While demand remains high, competition for these places will be intense, with visas being allocated on a first-come, first-served basis to those applicants with winning cases.

An alternative option: The Global Talent Scheme

While the investor Scheme provides many benefits. We can often build a winning case for our clients to be recognised as global talent. This stream offers Permanent Residency on arrival. 

Our Australian team strive to source the necessary accreditation to enable our clients to be recognised as ‘globally talented’ while working alongside the Australian businesses and investment community to demonstrate our client’s ability and commitment to enhancing the local economy. 

While The Global Talent Scheme is a competitive process, just like applying for a job, we have an excellent track record of winning these cases. We would consider this an alternative to the Investor visa, where appropriate.

Conclusion

Australia Investor visas are becoming increasingly popular among investors looking to relocate to Australia. With the many benefits they offer, including business opportunities, residency, and access to world-class education and healthcare systems, it’s easy to see why.

By following the emigration steps required, investors can enjoy the many advantages of living, working and retiring in Australia.

Next steps

We provide tailored emigration solutions, complaint business services, and investments to ensure your emigration case succeeds. Complete our online assessment to speak to an expert and receive your free guide

Discover your options

How to qualify for a 188 Investor visa to Australia in 2023

In 2023, 65 is the minimum number of points required for a 188 visa​​.

The points can be secured based on the following factors:

Age:

    • 18–24 years: 20 points
    • 25–32 years: 30 points
    • 33–39 years: 25 points
    • 40–44 years: 20 points
    • 45–54 years: 15 points
    • 55 and older: 0 points

 

English language ability:

    • Vocational English: 5 points
    • Proficient English: 10 points

 

Educational qualifications:

    • Trade certificate, diploma or bachelor degree by an Australian education institute; or a bachelor qualification recognised by an educational institution of a recognised standard: 5 points
    • A Bachelor’s degree in business, science or technology by an Australian institution; or a bachelor’s qualification in business, science or technology by an educational institution of a recognised standard: 10 points

 

Financial assets (Net business and personal assets of you, your partner or you and your partner combined in each of the preceding two fiscal years immediately before the time of invitation):

    • Not less than AUD1,250,000: 5 points
    • Not less than AUD1,750,000: 15 points
    • Not less than AUD2,250,000: 25 points
    • Not less than AUD2,750,000: 35 points

 

Business turnover (If you are invited to apply for the visa on or after 1 July 2021, you had an ownership interest in one or more main businesses that had an annual turnover in at least 2 of the four fiscal years immediately before the time of invitation to apply for the visa):

    • Not less than AUD750,000: 5 points
    • Not less than AUD1,250,000: 15 points
    • Not less than AUD1,750,000: 25 points
    • Not less than AUD2,250,000: 35 points

 

Business experience (Business Innovation stream only – You have held one or more main businesses before you were invited to apply for the visa for):

    • Not less than four years within the preceding five years: 10 points
    • Not less than seven years within the preceding eight years: 15 points

 

Investor experience (Investor stream only – If you are invited to apply for the visa on or after 1 July 2021, immediately before the time of invitation to apply for the visa you held eligible investments of at least AUD250,000 held for):

    • Not less than four years: 10 points
    • Not less than seven years: 15 points

 

Business innovation qualifications:

    • Patents or designs registered not less than one year before that time and used in the day-to-day activities of the main business: 15 points
    • Trademarks registered not less than one year before that time and used in the day-to-day activities of the main business: 10 points
    • Ownership in and day-to-day participation in the management of one or more main businesses operated under a formal joint venture agreement/s entered into no less than one year before the time: 5 points
    • An ownership interest in a main business/s that derives no less than 50% of its annual turnover from export trade: 15 points
    • An ownership interest in a main business/s not more than five years before that had an average annualised growth in turnover that was greater than 20% per annum

over three continuous fiscal years; and in at least one of the three fiscal years employed ten or more employees for a total number of hours that was at least the total number of hours that would have been worked by ten full-time employees: 10 points

  • An ownership interest in a main business/s that received a grant from a government body in your home country of at least AUD10,000 for the purposes of early phase start-up of a business, product commercialisation, business development or business expansion or venture capital funding of at least AUD100,000 not more than four years before the time of the invitation for the purposes of early phase start-up of a business, product commercialisation, business development or business expansion: 10 points

 

Special endorsement:

The nominating State or Territory government agency has determined that your proposed business is of unique and important benefit to the State or Territory where the nominating government agency is located: 10 points​1​.

Frequently asked questions answered

Over the years we have compiled a list of questions many people have in common. We aim to ensure our answers are concise and relevant to the legislation and government emigration policies in place currently. 

How much do I need to invest to get PR?

Various Investor visas require A$1.5m. All investments must be maintained for at least 4-years before Permanent Residency is awarded to the investors and their families.

Can I become and Australian Citizen by investment?

After the initial 4-year investment period an investor and their family can look forward to becoming Australian Citizens. When they will become eligible will depend on how much time they spend in Australia each year.

Can I get PR if I buy property in Australia

Buying property alone is not enough to secure an investor visa or PR. However, a person may purchase property, along with other investments to qualify for PR. Non-residences purchasing property will also be subject to the FIRB rules.

Can I buy PR?

Unfortunately, Australia does not sell PR. Instead, an investor must invest in State-approved compliant investment frameworks for a period of 4-years before applying for PR. During the investment period, they may live in Australia.

Can I be an investor if I'm over 50?

Your options are limited to being a Significant Investor of A$5m or a person with significant global talent. Australia calculated that older migrants are at a greater risk of becoming a burden on the public purse, with limited tax contributions.

Is emigrating to Australia a good idea?

Boasting one of the world’s highest standards of living, a booming economy, a safe environment and an excellent educational system. Australia is the preferred choice for those lucky enough to be eligible to emigrate there.

Is 188 visas eligible for Medicare?

188 visa holders may apply to enrol for Medicare. We also advise our clients to take out additional medical insurance during your early years in Australia to boost your level of medical cover.

In Summary

There are four key Business, Investment and Innovation Programme (BIIP) visa streams, with varying qualifying criteria. That said, most BIIP streams require investors to achieve a minimum of 65 on the investor points assessment.

By introducing the points test, Australia is attempting to treat all global investors equally by fitting them into ridged boxes where points may be applied equally.

We believe each case is unique and must be dealt with on its merits. This approach to our work has led to a 100% success rate.

Play Video about Cyprus investor visa holder

Flexibility & Control

Each year, the Australian federal and state governments review the 188 visa programme to ensure it delivers the best possible outcomes for Australia. Where deemed necessary changes are introduced without advanced notice. State governments open and close the investor visa stream within their respective jurisdictions as deem necessary to meet the local economic objectives.

That said, once an investor secures an invitation to emigrate (State Nomination), any future changes to the emigration policy will not affect their case.