Journey
IMM Group · Est. 2005
Business & Investor Visas

Australia Investor Visa:
Business and Investment Pathways

Business and investor pathways to Australian residency for your whole family

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Important notice for investors

Australia stopped accepting
new investor visa applications in July 2024

The Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) is no longer accepting new applications. IMM Group advises on the right pathway for your family based on current program status and your actual circumstances.

! Why this page is still useful

The overview below of the 188A, 188B, and 188C streams helps you compare them should the program reopen, or when weighing alternative options.

Ask us about alternative programs
Overview

What is an investor visa for Australia?

  • Australia investor visa programs offer business owners and investors a pathway to Australian residency through running a business or making an investment.
  • Your family can be included in the application and can live, study, and work in Australia for the life of the visa.
  • The typical pathway: subclass 188 provisional visa → subclass 888 permanent residence → Australian citizenship once eligible.
  • Each stream suits a different combination of capital, management experience, and residency goals.
General requirements
Minimum net business and personal assets
A$1.25 million (approximately US$881,000)
Experience
A successful track record in business management or investment
Investment
A$300,000–A$5 million depending on the stream
188
Subclass 188 business and investor streams

Australia business investment visa streams
(188A · 188B · 188C)

There are 3 main streams, each suited to different goals, financial capacity, and investment approaches. The typical pathway: subclass 188 provisional visa → subclass 888 permanent residence (after at least 3 years) → Australian citizenship.

188A
Business Innovation · from A$300,000
188B
Investor · A$2.5 million
188C
Significant Investor · A$5 million
Quick comparison

Comparison table:
188A / 188B / 188C

Criteria188A188B188C
Investment From A$300,000 A$2.5 million A$5 million
Processing time 30–35 months 30–35 months 9–12 months
Age < 55 < 55 No age limit
Points test ≥ 65 ≥ 65 Not required
Business experience Required Required Not required
Investment type Run a business Managed fund investment Managed fund investment
Residence requirement for permanent residence At least 1 year in the last 3 years At least 2 years in total Main applicant at least 40 days a year, or spouse at least 180 days a year
← Swipe to see all columns →
A
A · Business and investment stream · 188A
188A
Business Innovation
Investment
From A$300,000
Outcome
Permanent residence
& citizenship
Processing time
30 – 35
months
Program objectives
  • A provisional Australian visa, valid for 5 years
  • Progress to permanent residence once you meet the business requirements in Australia
  • A pathway to Australian citizenship
Investment type

Establish a new business, or acquire an existing one, and manage its operations in Australia.

Main applicant requirements
  • Under 55, with a score of at least 65 on the Australian points test
  • A business owner or shareholder actively involved in management, with a successful business in your home country
  • Net business and personal assets of at least A$1.25 million
  • Nomination by an Australian state or territory government
Business requirements
  • An ownership interest of at least 30% in a business that you have managed directly for at least 3 years
  • Annual business turnover of at least A$750,000 in 2 of the last 4 fiscal years
Pathway to 888A permanent residence
  • Run a business in Australia with an ownership interest of at least 30%; invest from A$300,000 (varies by state)
  • The business has operated for at least 2 years, with turnover of A$300,000 in at least 1 year
  • Meet 2 of these 3: net business assets of at least A$300,000 · combined personal and business assets of at least A$600,000 · at least 2 full-time jobs created
  • At least 1 year of residence in Australia in the 3 years before applying
  • Either the main applicant or their spouse (as a 188A visa holder) can apply
Key benefits
Your whole family (spouse and children under 23) can live, work, and study in Australia on a provisional visa
Tuition-free public schooling for your children through high school
Once eligible, apply for 888A permanent residence, with access to healthcare, education, and social security benefits (subject to eligibility rules), excluding the right to vote
After about 4 years of residence (including 1 year as a permanent resident), you may apply for citizenship; an Australian passport offers visa-free or eVisa access to 187 destinations
Please note
You must be directly involved in managing a business in Australia
You need to spend genuine time living in Australia and actively running the business
Suited to business owners with hands-on management experience
Book a consultation View details
B
B · Business and investment stream · 188B
188B
Investor
Investment
A$2.5 million
Outcome
Permanent residence
& citizenship
Processing time
30 – 35
months
Program objectives
  • A provisional Australian visa, valid for 5 years
  • Progress to permanent residence after holding the investment for at least 3 years
  • A pathway to Australian citizenship
Main applicant requirements
  • Under 55, with a score of at least 65 on the Australian points test
  • Business or investment experience and substantial financial capacity
  • Net business and personal assets of at least A$2.5 million
  • Nomination by an Australian state or territory government
Business or investment experience
  • At least 10% ownership of an operating business that you have managed for at least 3 years, OR
  • Evidence that you manage investments of approximately A$2.5 million that have generated a profit for at least 3 years
Complying investment: at least A$2.5 million
  • At least A$500,000 in venture capital and growth private equity funds
  • At least A$750,000 in approved managed funds investing in emerging companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange
  • A balancing investment of at least A$1.25 million in managed funds
  • Hold the investment for at least 3 years, until the 888B visa is granted
Pathway to 888B permanent residence
  • Keep the investment in place until the 888B visa is granted
  • At least 2 years of residence in Australia in total before applying
  • Either the main applicant or their spouse can apply
Key benefits
Your whole family can live, work, and study in Australia on a provisional visa
Tuition-free public schooling for your children through high school
Potential returns from the funds (based on actual performance)
Once eligible, apply for 888B permanent residence, and for citizenship after about 4 years of residence
Please note
The investment must be held for an extended period
At least 2 years of residence in total are required before applying for the 888B visa
Suited to investors with substantial capital who prefer not to run a business themselves
Book a consultation View details
C
C · Business and investment stream · 188C
188C
Significant Investor
Investment
A$5 million
Indicative return
8 – 10%
per year (average, not guaranteed)
Processing time
9 – 12
months
Program objectives
  • A provisional Australian visa, valid for 5 years
  • Progress to permanent residence after holding the investment for at least 3 years
  • A pathway to Australian citizenship
Main applicant requirements
  • Very substantial financial resources
  • Total assets of at least A$5 million
  • Nomination by an Australian state or territory government
  • No business experience required
Complying investment: A$5 million
  • At least A$1 million in venture capital and growth private equity funds
  • At least A$1.5 million in approved managed funds investing in emerging companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange
  • A balancing investment of at least A$2.5 million in managed funds
  • Hold the investment for at least 3 years, until the 888C visa is granted
Requirements for 888C permanent residence
  • Keep the investment in place until the 888C visa is granted
  • At least 40 days a year in Australia for the 188C main applicant, or at least 180 days a year for an accompanying spouse
  • Either the main applicant or their spouse can apply
Key benefits
Your whole family can live, work, and study in Australia on a provisional visa
Tuition-free public schooling for your children through high school
Potential returns from the funds (based on actual performance)
Once eligible, apply for 888C permanent residence, and for citizenship after about 4 years of residence
Please note
A high investment threshold
The investment must be held until the 888C visa is granted
Suited to investors with substantial capital who prefer a passive investment pathway
Book a consultation View details
Pathway

From temporary residence to Australian citizenship

Your family's journey in 4 clear milestones — from the 188 visa to Australian citizenship.

1
188A / 188B / 188C visa

Temporary residence

  • The whole family (main applicant, spouse, and dependent children under 23) can live, work, and study in Australia for the 5-year visa term
  • Tuition-free public schooling for your children through high school
2
Hold the 188 visa for at least 3 years

Make the investment or run the business

  • 188A: operate a business in Australia for at least 2 continuous years; turnover of at least A$300,000 in the most recent 12 months; at least 1 year of residence in Australia in the 3 years before applying for the 888A
  • 188B: maintain the A$2.5 million investment until the 888B is granted; at least 2 years of residence in Australia in total
  • 188C: maintain the A$5 million investment; the main applicant spends at least 40 days a year in Australia, OR the accompanying spouse at least 180 days a year
3
888A / 888B / 888C visa

Permanent residence

  • Meet the investment or business and residence requirements, and the whole family can apply for permanent residence (at the earliest after 3 years on the 188 visa)
  • Access to Medicare, education, and social security broadly on the same basis as Australian citizens, subject to eligibility rules (permanent residents cannot vote)
  • The travel facility on your permanent visa is renewed every 5 years
4
Australian citizenship

Australian citizenship

  • At least 4 years of lawful residence in Australia, including the most recent 12 months as a permanent resident (888 visa)
  • Total absences from Australia of no more than 12 months over the 4 years, and no more than 90 days in the final 12 months
  • Once you hold citizenship: full citizenship rights, and an Australian passport with visa-free or eVisa access to 187 destinations

Key Australian residency pathways

A quick overview to help you choose the right route

Program
Subclass 189 visa
Skilled Independent
Subclass 489 visa
Skilled Regional
Subclass 858 visa
Distinguished Talent
Subclass 457 visa
Temporary Work (Skilled)
Family sponsorship
Sponsored by a relative
Study pathway
Study to residency
Status Open Closed to new applications Fastest Closed Open Longer pathway
Objective Australian permanent residence for highly skilled workers Regional temporary residence, with permanent residence once eligible Australian permanent residence for individuals with outstanding international achievements Temporary residence for workers sponsored by an Australian employer Australian permanent residence through a relative in Australia Stay in Australia to work or apply for permanent residence after graduation
Processing time 11–21 months 15–19 months 3–4 months 6–12 months 12 months to several years A few months to several years
Please note
Under 45, limited occupation list, highly competitive
Closed to new applications since late 2019
For exceptional talent only
The program is closed
Requires an eligible relative in Australia to sponsor you
Must meet post-study visa, employment, state or territory, or occupation requirements
← Swipe to see all programs →
Please note

Beyond investment routes, investors may also consider skilled worker, talent, family sponsorship, and study pathways. These categories are not part of IMM Group's core investment migration advisory focus.

IMM
Why IMM Group

Why choose IMM Group?

Since 2005, IMM Group has been a pioneer in investment migration advisory in Vietnam, guiding entrepreneurs through programs in Australia, the United States, Canada, and Europe. Serving with Authentic Values.

1

21+ years of experience

  • Two decades of international investment migration advisory
  • Hundreds of families have worked with IMM on their residency journeys to Australia, the United States, Canada, and Europe
2

International lawyers and advisors

  • Partnerships with Australian lawyers and international migration firms
  • Advisors and case managers certified by the Investment Migration Council (IMC)
3

Deep expertise in the Australian market

  • In-depth knowledge of the requirements of each Australian state and territory
  • Advice on complying investment funds and the pathway to the 888 visa and citizenship
  • Recommendations on the right 188 stream for each family's circumstances
4

Partner network in Australia

  • Connections with regulated investment funds in Australia
  • Coordination with nominating states and territories, migration firms, and lawyers
  • Support from initial assessment through to the completion of your pathway
5

A long-term commitment

  • We put our clients' interests ahead of our own
  • High standards of client confidentiality
  • Fee refunds in the event of circumstances beyond our control, as set out in your contract
6

Giving back — the Be Better Foundation

  • Since 2025, IMM Group has officially operated as a nonprofit enterprise
  • A commitment to contribute more than 50% of annual profits to the Be Better Foundation
  • The foundation helps disadvantaged students continue their education and change their futures
21+
Years of experience
2005
Pioneering since
50%+
of profits to the Be Better Foundation
IMC
advisor certification
4
markets: Australia · United States · Canada · Europe
Book a consultation
"Serving with Authentic Values"
IMM Group's guiding principle
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