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Residency by InvestmentClosed

Australia

Australia Significant Investor Visa (SIV) — Subclass 188

Also known as: Australia SIV, Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP)

Regulator: Department of Home Affairs (Australia)Official program site ↗
Min investment
$3.3M
Program tier
Renewable Temp
Program type
Investor Visa
Initial validity
4 yr
Renewable
Yes
Path to PR
4 yr
Path to citizenship
4 yr
Schengen access
Yes

Investment options

Fund

$3.3M
Hold for 4 years

Historical (closed): AUD 5,000,000 in complying investments — 10% Australian VC fund + 30% emerging-company managed fund + 60% balanced investments fund.

Physical presence

To apply
State/territory nomination required
To maintain
40 days/year main applicant OR 180 days total over 4 years
For PR
After 4 years on Subclass 188C, transition to permanent Subclass 888
For citizenship
4 years lawful residence including 12 months as PR; substantial physical presence

Path to citizenship

  • Available: Yes
  • Minimum years: 4
  • Physical-presence years: 4
  • Language test: Yes

Naturalization requires 4 years total lawful residence including 12 months as PR; English language; citizenship test; oath. Dual citizenship allowed.

Tax implications

  • Becomes tax resident automatically: No
  • Worldwide income taxed: Yes
  • Territorial tax system: No
  • Day-count for tax residency: 183 days
  • Wealth tax: No

Australia taxes residents on worldwide income. Tax residency based on 183-day rule + domicile/intention tests. PIT progressive to 45% + Medicare levy 2%. Significant capital gains exposure for tax-residents — main attraction for past SIV holders was Australian lifestyle, not tax.

Family inclusion

  • Spouse: Yes
  • Children under 18: Yes
  • Dependent adult children: Yes
  • Parents: No

Historical: spouse, unmarried dependent children under 23 (with conditions), dependent relatives.

Additional fees

    Program no longer accepting applications.

    Eligibility requirements

    • Historical: state/territory nomination, complying investments, source of funds, English ability (functional)

    Disqualifiers

    • Program closed to new applications 31 July 2024

    Recent changes

    1. 2024-07-31

      Subclass 188 Business Innovation and Investment Visa (including Significant Investor stream) closed to new applications, ending Australia's investor visa program. Department of Home Affairs cited 2023 review showing weak economic benefits and elevated money-laundering risk.

    2. 2024-12

      Government confirmed the new National Innovation Visa (NIV) replacing Global Talent / BIIP will NOT include any form of investor visa — formally ending Australia's investor-visa era.

    3. 2026

      Opposition continues to advocate revival of SIV but no government commitment. Existing 188 holders' transition pathways to 888 remain valid.

    Notes

    Closed program. Australia's National Innovation Visa (post-2024) is a talent visa, not an investor visa. Wealthy non-immigrant applicants now have only entrepreneur paths (188E equivalent) or skilled migration. The closure leaves NZ Active Investor Plus as the only major Anglosphere investor-visa pathway. Existing SIV/188 holders continue to transition to 888 permanent residency.

    EasyPassport is a document-organization tool focused on citizenship by descent. This page is reference research, not legal or financial advice. Always verify with the official program authority.