Investment Immigration

Investment Immigration: Transitioning from 188 to 888 Visa

188A to 888A Permanent Residency Requirements

1. Operate an Australian business for at least 3 years prior to applying for permanent residency.
2. The main applicant or their spouse must have lived in Australia for at least 1 year in total during the 3 years before applying for the 888 visa.
3. Eligible families can apply for the 888 permanent residency visa as early as 3 years if all conditions are met.

188B to 888B Permanent Residency Requirements

1. Throughout the 188B visa duration, the applicant must maintain compliant managed fund products.
2. The main applicant or their spouse must have resided in Australia for a total of 2 years within the 5-year visa period.
3. Eligible applicants can apply for the 888 visa in 3 years if they meet all specified conditions.
   

188C to 888C Permanent Residency Requirements

1. The applicant must maintain compliant managed fund products throughout the 188C visa period.
2. The main applicant must have lived in Australia for a total of 200 days within 5 years, or the spouse must have lived for 900 days within the same period.
3. Eligible applicants can apply for the 888 permanent residency visa in 3 years if all conditions are fulfilled.

188E to 888E Permanent Residency Requirements

1. Reside in Australia for at least 2 years before transitioning to permanent residency.
   
2. Eligible applicants can apply for the 888 visa in 3 years if they meet all specified conditions.
   
3. Meet the entrepreneurial conditions required when applying for the 188 visa, including company turnover, proportion of Australian local employees, and the ability to secure sustained economic support.
   
   
4. Applicants must demonstrate successful entrepreneurial activity in Australia, meeting at least two “key success factors,” or one “key success factor” and three “supporting success factors.”

Key Success Factors

• Employing at least two Australian citizens or permanent residents.
• Achieving an annual turnover of at least AUD 300,000.
• Filing for or obtaining a provisional or standard/innovative patent.
• Securing ongoing investment into the business.
• Establishing a partnership with a university.
• Selling a startup business for at least AUD 200,000.

Supporting Success Factors

• Diversifying entrepreneurial activities into other business fields.
• Receiving a statement of success from the state government nominator.
• Obtaining endorsement from a business organization.
• Establishing or contributing to at least two additional businesses.
• Receiving formal recognition or awards.
  
• Raising or contributing funds to social capital.

Visa Processing Time and Bridging Visas

The 888 visa processing time can be lengthy. To remain in Australia lawfully while awaiting a decision, applicants often rely on bridging visas. These are temporary visas that allow applicants to live, work, and re-enter Australia during the waiting period.

Common Bridging Visa Types: A, B, C, D, E.

Bridging Visa A (BVA): Automatically granted when 888 visa applications are submitted within Australia, allowing the applicant to stay lawfully in the country while waiting for the decision. Other types (B, C, D, E): Serve specific purposes in different situations.