The new 'Significant Investor' visa stream

On 24 November 2012, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship's (DIAC) SkillSelect system began accepting "expressions of interest" for the Significant Investor (subclass 188) visa. This new visa stream, announced in May 2012 as part of the Government's business innovation and investment program, offers eligible applicants a pathway to permanent residence in Australia through the subclass 888 visa, and could potentially provide a new source of investment for Australian businesses, managed funds and governments.

Criteria

Applicants for the new Significant Investor stream will be required to have access to a minimum $5 million available for investment in "complying investments" in Australia. Visa holders may invest the total amount in a single investment, or a number of investment options. "Complying investments" include: