What is a subclass 188C visa?
Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) – Significant Investor stream for people who are willing to invest at least AUD 5 million into complying investments in Australia and want to maintain business and investment activity in Australia after the original investment has matured.
The benefits of the subclass 188C visa
| Benefits | Details |
| Residence | Staying in Australia for up to 5 years (or previously up to 4 years and 3 months). |
| Social security | Applicants are entitled to access some of social security benefits. |
| Including family members | Family members can come to Australia together with the main visa holder. |
| Multiple entries | Being able to travel outside Australia and return as many times as they want when the visa is valid. |
| Education and working | Being allowed to work and study, especially being entitled for free English study. |
| Applying for Australian citizenship, if eligible | Permanent resident visa holders have the opportunity to become Australian citizens. |
Advantages of the subclass 188C visa
Differently from other business/investment streams, there are no following requirements:
- Age
- Migration Points
- Education/business experience requirements
However, satisfying sources of fund requirement and choosing a low risky and profitable investment fund organization is very important. VEM’s migration specialist will provide you best advice and assistance.
Summary of core SIV criteria – Subclass 188C (Stage 1)
The requirements of subclass 188C visa (phase 1)
| Requirements | Details |
| Be nominated | Applicants must be nominated by an Australian State before being invited to apply for this visa. |
| Investment |
This visa is for people who invest at least 5 million AUD in investment funds regulated by the Australian Government.
|
| English | Score at least 4.5 IELTS, or an equivalent English test result (applicants can pay an additional fee if not meet the requirement). |
| Health | Must meet the health requirements regulated by the Australian Government. |
| Criminal Records |
|
In order to have proper preparation from the beginning and the best assistance through your visa process, let VEM accompany you. At VEM, Mr. Phong Cao – an Immigration Specialist licensed by the Australian Government (MARN: 1577877) is the person who directly advises and assists you with the whole process. Not only for the first visa stage, he will continue assist you with the PR stage when you come to Australia.
Summary of core SIV criteria – Subclass 888C visa (Stage 2)
| Requirements | Details |
| Length of stay in Australia with a subclass 188C visa | 40 days/year (for applicants), or 180 days/year (for dependent applicants). |
| Be nominated |
Having a nomination approval by the stage/territory where the applicant is investing before being invited to apply for the 888C visa. |
| Investment | Maintain an investment of 5 million AUD throughout the 188C visa holding period. |
How to stay in Australia if the subclass 188C visa expired?
No more extension of the visa is allowed except for the previous legacy visa holders.
Step-by-step of the subclass 188C visa
Step 1: Assessing applicant’s ability to qualify for this visa
Step 2: Preparing documents
Step 3: Submitting applicant’s Expression of Interest (EOI)
Step 4: Be nominated by a State or Territory, and then be invited to apply.
Step 5: Applying for the visa
Step 6: Additional documents if needed.
Step 7: Making the investment
Step 8: The subclass 188C visa is granted
As a client with VEM, our qualified migration specialist will advise and guide you through your whole visa process.
What must prepare for the subclass 188C visa documents
| Documents | Details |
| Identification papers |
|
| Nomination letter | Complete form 1414 and send it to the territory/state where you want to do investment. |
| Business and investment | No requirements. |
| English | Provide proof of the applicant’s financial capacity. |
| Judicial Records |
|
| Documents for accompanying person (if any) |
|
The cost of the subclass 188C visa
| Visa application charge installments | Visa costs
(not including 1.4% surcharge) |
||
|
Main applicants |
Additional applicants | ||
| Over 18 years old | Under 18 years old | ||
| First installment: the time of lodging a visa application. | 9,195 AUD | 4,595 AUD | 2,300 AUD |
| Second installment: Additional applicants who are 18 years old or older have less than functional English (4.5 IELTS). | 9,795 AUD | 4,890 AUD | 0 AUD |
The processing times of a subclass 188C visa
| Processing times | |
| 75% of applications | 18 Months |
| 90% of applications | 26 Months |
VEM’s CEO – Mr. Phong Cao who directly advises, appraises and supports customers to make documents. So if you apply for a subclass 188C visa with VEM, you have the right to expect your application to be processed smoothly.
Obligations of a subclass 188C visa applicants
Within 4 years and 3 months of holding a subclass 188C visa, applicants need to fulfill the following obligations to meet the conditions for applying for a subclass 888C visa:
| Obligations | Details |
| Business |
|
| Investment |
|
| Company | If applicants operate a business in Australia, applicants must comply with Australian workplace policy. |
You should get advice and assistance from a qualified migration consultant to make sure you meet the requirements. Contact VEM for further information and assistance!
Frequently asked questions
Subclass 188C has a significant investment requirement (5 million), which is much higher that the requirement for subclass 188A or subclass 188B. What are the advantages of this subclass 188C stream?
- There is no age limit.
- Migration points are not required.
- The subclass 188C visa application processing time is faster.
- Much lesser Australian residential requirement for the second visa stage (888C).
If you are not sure of what stream suits you, please contact VEM’s If you are not sure of what stream suits you, please contact VEM’s immigration specialist for advice.
If the applicant is not qualified for a subclass 888C visa, can their spouse become the main?
- The answer is yes if the applicant’s spouse has met the requirement of the main applicant.
I invested in Australia before applying for a subclass 188C visa. So can I add this investment to consider the investment conditions?
- Unfortunately, the answer is no. The 5 million AUD investment must be made after you apply and before the subclass 188C visa is issued.
Are there any risks?
- The answer is yes. Choosing a good management fund organization would help your investments be profitable and reduce risks.!
Yes, you can if that person is eligible.
Depending on the specific circumstances, you may be required to apply in Australia, or outside Australia. In order to get an accurate answer properly, you should schedule a consultation session with our qualified migration specialist.
This is a mandatory requirement.
Contact VEM’s qualified migration specialist to assist you with providing source of funds.
You must reinvest within 30 days. Otherwise, the Australian Government will consider canceling your visa.
Of course, you can. Your accompanying members can have the same benefits.
If Austrade (Australian Trade and Investment Commission) nominates you for a visa, you can reside anywhere you want. But if you are nominated by a state or territory in Australia, you can only stay in that state or territory.
The answer is yes if the source of the 5 million AUD you invest comes from dividends, interest payments, or from revenues derived from the company.
Yes, provided that you have the fund available to transfer when requested.
VEM’s clients will be helped to choose a reputable investment management company to manage their investment.
Opening a business is optional but buying a house is compulsory.
You do need a business plan to show how you do the investment.
The Australian government only asks you not to withdraw your funds. A loss-making investment will not prevent you from applying for a subclass 888C visa.
You can find detailed information in part 4 of this article!
The answer is yes.
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In addition, another Australian Business/Investment visa that you can refer to is the subclass 188A visa. The requirements of this visa are more convenient for applicants.
Susan Le – VEM’s customer who is granted the subclass 188A visa – shared some useful information regarding a successful visa application for your reference.
VEM’s customer who is granted the subclass 188A visa
If you are not sure about any issues related to the subclass 188C visa, Mr. Phong Cao, VEM’s Australian licensed migration consultant, is willing to give you advice.
