Investor Visas
Investor Visas for Australia
The investor streams of the Business Innovation and Investment Program closed to new applications on 31 July 2024. Existing subclass 188 Investor and Significant Investor stream holders retain access to the extension stream and the permanent subclass 888 pathway, subject to meeting the applicable investment and residency requirements.
Current status of investor visas
The Business Innovation and Investment Program included two investor streams: the Investor stream (subclass 188B), which required a minimum AUD 2.5 million complying investment, and the Significant Investor stream (subclass 188C), which required a minimum AUD 5 million complying investment. Both streams closed to new applications on 31 July 2024.
Existing holders in either stream retain their visa rights and continue to accrue time toward the permanent subclass 888 visa. The Significant Investor stream also retains access to an extension stream, allowing existing 188C holders to extend their provisional residence where additional time is needed to meet the permanent residency requirements.
The Australian Government has not announced a direct replacement for the Investor or Significant Investor streams as at April 2026. High-net-worth individuals seeking new pathways to Australian residence are advised to seek legal advice on currently available options.
Who can still engage
Existing subclass 188B holders
Investor stream holders retain access to the permanent subclass 888B pathway provided they have maintained the required complying investment throughout their provisional visa period.
Existing subclass 188C holders
Significant Investor stream holders retain access to the extension stream and the permanent subclass 888C pathway. The AUD 5 million complying investment must have been maintained for the required period.
Applicants with pre-closure applications
Applications lodged before 31 July 2024 that remain undecided continue to be processed in line with government priorities.
31 Jul 2024
Closed to new applications
AUD 2.5M
188B minimum investment
AUD 5M
188C minimum investment
888
Permanent pathway
Investor visa pathways
The following pathways remain available to existing subclass 188 investor stream holders as at April 2026.
Significant Investor Visa
Overview of the subclass 188C Significant Investor stream and the AUD 5 million complying investment framework for existing holders.
Read more
Investment Visa Extension
The subclass 188C extension stream for Significant Investor holders needing additional time to meet the requirements for the permanent subclass 888C visa.
Read more
Investment PR (Subclass 888)
The permanent Business Innovation and Investment visa for existing investor stream holders who have met the investment and residency requirements.
Read more
Why instruct Visa Plan?
Investment compliance advice
Complying investment requirements are technical and must be maintained throughout the provisional visa period. We advise on fund selection, rebalancing obligations, and compliance reporting before any issues arise.
Legal Professional Privilege
Investor visa applications require disclosure of significant financial information. All disclosures to our admitted solicitors are protected by Legal Professional Privilege, which does not apply to migration agents.
Permanent residence planning
Meeting the subclass 888 residency and investment requirements demands careful planning across the full provisional visa period. We advise on residency strategies, investment structuring, and state nomination conditions from the outset.
Investor visa information is sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and is current as at April 2026. The subclass 188 program closed to new applications on 31 July 2024. Investment requirements, eligibility criteria, and state nomination settings are subject to change. This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice.