Investor Permanent Visa — Subclass 888B and 888C
Investment Permanent Residence
The subclass 888B and 888C permanent visas are available to existing subclass 188 Investor and Significant Investor stream holders who have maintained their complying investment throughout the provisional period and have met the applicable residency requirements in Australia.
Subclass 888B and 888C — permanent investor pathways
The subclass 888B is the permanent pathway for Investor stream (188B) holders who invested AUD 2.5 million in complying investments and maintained that investment throughout their provisional visa period. The subclass 888C is the permanent pathway for Significant Investor stream (188C) holders who invested AUD 5 million in complying investments.
Both streams require a state or territory nomination before the permanent visa can be granted. The nominating state assesses compliance with the original nomination conditions, including whether the holder settled in the nominating state and whether the investment has materially benefited the state economy.
The residency requirement for the 888C is calculated using a formula of 40 days per complete year in which the primary applicant held the 188C visa. The formula is applied cumulatively across both the original 188C period and any extension period. The 888B has a separate residency requirement calculated across the 188B visa period.
Key requirements
Maintained complying investment
The complying investment must have been maintained throughout the full provisional visa period in the required allocation. Evidence of continuous compliance is required at the time of the 888 application.
Residency requirement
For the 888C, the residency formula is 40 days per complete year of 188C visa holding. The calculation applies to either the primary holder or their spouse or de facto partner, giving flexibility where one partner has been more consistently present in Australia.
State or territory nomination
A valid nomination from the original nominating state or territory is required. The state assesses whether the holder complied with the settlement conditions and whether the investment has provided a material economic benefit to the state.
No business activity requirement
Unlike the Business Innovation stream, the Investor and Significant Investor streams do not require the applicant to own or manage an Australian business. The investment maintenance and residency requirements are the primary criteria.
888B / 888C
Permanent subclasses
40 days/yr
888C residency formula
State nom.
Required before grant
Permanent
No further visa required
Why instruct Visa Plan?
Residency formula calculation
The 888C residency formula is applied across the full provisional visa period including any extension. We calculate the precise number of days required, identify any shortfall, and advise on whether the extension stream is needed before the 888C is lodged.
Investment compliance evidence
The 888 application requires comprehensive evidence of investment maintenance across the full provisional period. We advise on the documentary record required and identify any gaps before the application is prepared.
State nomination management
State nominations for the 888B and 888C require detailed submissions on compliance with settlement and investment conditions. We manage the state nomination and federal application simultaneously to avoid processing delays.
Investor permanent visa information is sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and is current as at April 2026. Residency formulas, investment requirements, and state nomination criteria are subject to change. This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice.