Australia Golden Visa by investment

Australia has a transparent and well-developed immigration system. It is governed by the Migration Act of 1958, the Migration Ordinance of 1994, and other regulations. All conditions, requirements for applicants, and deadlines for registration are detailed.

Grounds for getting citizenship by naturalisation

The country welcomes foreign investment, seeks to attract talented entrepreneurs, and has developed a separate program for investors and business people.

There are many ways to become an Australian citizen. To do this, you must meet the requirements of Australian migration law. Conferral and descent are the most common ways to apply.

Citizenship by descent can be obtained by an applicant born outside Australia, and at least one of their parents was an Australian citizen.

Citizenship by birth is available for a child born in Australia if one parent is an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

Сitizen by conferral can obtain:

1. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Australian permanent residents aged from 18 to 59.

2. Children aged 16 or 17.

3. Children under 15 apply with a parent or guardian.

4. Commonwealth Child Migration Scheme migrants.

5. Eligible New Zealand citizens.

6. Partners or spouses of an Australian citizen.

7. Refugees or humanitarian migrants.

An application for Australian citizenship by conferral can be submitted after four years of living there, including living there as a permanent resident in the 12 months before applying for citizenship. Applicants must pass an exam on their knowledge of the English language and the history of Australia, as well as take an oath of allegiance.

Australia allows dual citizenship.

In contrast to most European countries, Australia does not follow conventional distinctions between visas and residence permits. All permits related to the entry and stay of foreigners are visas. The visas differ in terms of the conditions and the rights they give to the holder.

Australia grants about 120 visas for different purposes. Visas have a simple common name and subclass number, such as Business Owner, Subclass 890 or Business Talent (Permanent) Visa, Subclass 132.

Since 2017, migration issues and almost all other functions related to Australia’s security have been transferred to the Department of Home Affairs. The department conducts inspections, controls the activities of agents who are engaged in professional immigration, and examines decisions related to visas.

The procedure for obtaining visas, including those allowing permanent residence, is structured. The conditions for issuance and current regulations are published on the website of the Department of Home Affairs.

For each visa, the requirements for applicants, necessary documents, the procedure and terms of application are listed. The foreigner’s rights are indicated: each visa has its permissions.

Short-term visas allow you to stay in the country for a limited time for a specific purpose: tourism, study, or work.

Long-term visas are issued for a more extended period. For example, an investor visa allows you to live in Australia for up to five years. It may include the right to work, the possibility to leave and re-enter Australia, and other conditions. These types of visas are the same as residence permits in other countries.

Officials, employers, and visa holders can find up-to-date information through the VEVO online service. For example, a company can check when an employee’s visa expires and whether they have the right to work there, and a university can check whether an applicant is allowed to enrol as a student.

The Immigration Attaché considers applications made outside Australia at the local Australian consulate. The Department of Home Affairs handles other applications.

The Australian government is interested in attracting investment and specialists. An updated quota is set annually: for 2022‑2023, a ceiling of 160,000 applicants was set. The program consists of four main categories.

The skilled category is designed to increase the economy’s potential and fill the shortage of personnel throughout Australia. The quota for two years is 109,900 visas. It includes employees invited by employers, independent professionals, entrepreneurs, academics, and other in-demand professionals.

Family. These visas allow foreigners to reunite with family members who are Australian citizens and subsequently qualify for citizenship.

Quota for 50,000 visas: 40,500 for partners, 6,000 for parents and 500 for other relatives.

Special rights stream. These visas are related to people in special circumstances. For example, this category includes permanent residents who left the country where they were located without a valid return permit. It is the smallest category, and the quota is only 100 applicants.

Children of permanent residents and citizens of Australia belong to a separate category. At least 3,000 different visas are available in this category, with no limit on the maximum number of applicants.

In Australia, you cannot get citizenship by investment. Applicants can be granted a five-year visa by investment of AUD 1.25 million or more. Applicants who maintain their investment can then obtain permanent residency in Australia.

Investors can obtain Australian citizenship by conferral on a common basis. They must meet the requirements for permanent residency in Australia, pass a history test and a language test and swear an oath of allegiance to the state.

The path to Australian citizenship for investors

1. Business Innovation and Investment (subclass 188). Provisional, for 5 years.

2. Business Innovation and Investment visa (subclass 888). Permanent.

3. Citizenship. After 4 years, including living there as a permanent resident in the 12 months

The Australian government welcomes foreign investment as long as it does not conflict with Australia’s national interests. It is monitored by a special FIRB board, which studies investment proposals and makes recommendations to the government.

Foreign investment proposals are considered on an individual basis. This flexible approach allows the government to maximise investment flows while protecting Australian interests.

Before applying, investors must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). They receive a nomination from State or Territory government agencies or Austrade if approved. And then receive an invitation to apply.

Requirements for investors:

• up to 55 years old;

• be nominated by an Australian State or Territory government agency or Austrade;

• legal source of income;

• business experience;

• a certain number of points in the test;

• meet character requirements;

• no debt to the Australian government;

• without a visa cancelled or a previous application refused in Australia;

• IELTS certificate, at least in functional English;

• meet health requirements;

• health insurance policy, with benefits per person per year from AUD1 million;

• certificate of no criminal record in countries where the applicant lived for more than a year in the last ten years.

Family members who can be included in the application together with the investor: spouse or partner, children under 23 who are financially dependent on the investor. Children with physical disabilities can be included in the programme at any age.

Business Innovation and Investment visas (subclass 188) are similar to temporary residence permits in other countries. These visas are issued for up to five years. They allow the applicant and their family members to live, work, and run a business in Australia.

This category of visa provides four options for investment, which are called streams. Each category has its minimum investment requirements, investment conditions and processing time.

Australia Business and Investment Visas requirements

Business Innovation Stream‑188

1 AUD = 0.70 USD Currency converter

Investor Stream‑188

1 AUD = 0.70 USD Currency converter

Significant Investor Stream‑188

1 AUD = 0.70 USD Currency converter

Entrepreneur stream‑188

1 AUD = 0.70 USD Currency converter

In Europe, there is a similar opportunity to get Malta citizenship through naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment. Applicants receive a residence permit and then apply for citizenship after a year or three.

To get Malta citizenship, you need to invest at least €690,000:

• buy or rent real estate;

• contribute to the National Development Fund;

• donate to a non-governmental organisation.

Individual cost calculation for Maltese citizenship

Get the cost calculation

Before applying, investors must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). They receive a nomination from State or Territory government agencies or Austrade if approved. And then receive an invitation to apply.

Applications for Australia Business and Investor Visa can be submitted online.

Processing time depends on the type of visa requested. Due to a large number of applicants and the detailed checks made, the process can take a long time to complete: 25% of visa applications take more than one-and-a-half years to process.

The Department of Home Affairs takes a priority approach: visas that offer the greatest benefit to the country are processed faster. For example, skilled worker and investor visas take precedence over family visas.

Result of visa application. The applicant receives the visa decision in writing. If a visa is granted, the applicant is informed of the visa grant number, the visa’s start date, and its conditions.

If a visa is refused, applicants will be informed of the reason for the refusal and their right to review the decision. No application fee will be refunded if a visa is refused.

After four years, the Golden Visa holder can apply for permanent residence or renew certain categories of visas. Business Innovation Stream and Significant Investor Stream visa holders can extend their visas, provided the visa and investment category requirements are maintained.

Business Innovation Extension Stream Visa entitles holders of Business Innovation Streem visas to remain in Australia for up to 2 years. The visa fee from AUD 755, processing time is from 7 to 19 months.

Significant Investor Extension Stream Visa extend temporary residence for up to 4 more years. The visa fee from AUD 755, processing time is from 4 to 15 months.

Holders of other visa categories — Investor Stream or Entrepreneur Stream visas — can apply for permanent residency in Australia or obtain a new Business Innovation and Investment Visas (subclass 188) if they want to stay longer.

Documents requirements. Applicants need to prove their identity and provide documents about their business and assets. They also need to provide documents about family members applying with them.

Applications for an extension of the Australia Golden Visa can be submitted online.

After four years, entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners can apply for permanent residency to continue their business in Australia. Applicants must meet the residence, investment, and capital turnover requirements for their subclass 188 visa during that visa.

Applicants must have a current nomination from a state or territory. When investors applied for their provisional visa subclass 188, a state or territory saw their Expression of Interest and nominated them. No new Expressions of Interest are required. However, the state or territory must confirm that their nomination is still valid.

Australia permanent residence: main requirements for investors

1. Be nominated from a state or territory.

2. Valid Business Innovation and Investment Visa (subclass 188) for at least 3 years.

3. Obey all Australian laws.

4. A real intention to continue their business or investment activities in Australia.

5. IELTS certificate, at least in functional English.

6. Sign an Australian Values Statement.

7. Meet character requirements.

8. No debt to the Australian government.

9. Without a visa cancelled or a previous application refused in Australia.

In addition to the basic requirements, applicants for a permanent Business Innovation and Investment Visa (subclass 888) must meet the requirements for their chosen stream.

Australia permanent residence: residence requirements for Business Innovation and Investment visa

Business Innovation Stream‑888

Investor Stream‑888

Significant Investor Stream

Entrepreneur stream‑888

You need to get an Australian passport in order to be on an equal footing with Australian citizens. However, the permanent residence also gives the holder many basic rights. Permanent residence is advisable for foreigners who do not plan to spend the rest of their lives in Australia, or their country of origin does not allow them to have dual nationality.

High standard of living. Australia attracts foreigners through its high standard of living, economic and political stability, and excellent educational and medical systems.

In the ranking of countries in the Human Development Index in 2020, Australia was ranked eighth in the world. The UN calculates this complex indicator to compare the quality of life in different countries. For example, the average life expectancy in the country is 83 years.

Regarding the number of inhabitants, Australia is ranked 54th in the world, but at the same time, its economy is ranked 14th in terms of GDP. On a per capita basis, the GDP is $51,680, higher than in Belgium, the UK, Japan, and Canada.

Australia has a more secure banking system than the US. In 2020, four Australian banks were ranked among the top 50 safest banks in the world.

While much of Australia is uninhabitable, you can choose the lifestyle that suits you. Some prefer the rural life on a ranch, while others prefer the comfort of life in the suburbs or a carefree life by the ocean. The thriving metropolitan areas of Melbourne and Sydney attract those who enjoy a vibrant cultural life in a big city.

Multicultural society. Australia is a country of immigrants. Thanks to the migration programs after World War II, the population doubled. According to the 2016 census, one in three Australians was born overseas. Most come from the UK and New Zealand, but the proportion of Chinese and Indians is growing yearly. Although the official language in Australia is English, more than 300 languages ​​are spoken at home by Australians.

Australia’s shared values ​​of freedom, respect, fairness, and equality of opportunity have been shaped by an influx of people worldwide. Multiculturalism remains a state doctrine enshrined in the regulations. The country guarantees to protect its citizens’ civil rights and freedoms: The Economist magazine ranks Australia ninth among 167 countries in terms of democracy.

Most visa applicants are required to sign an Australian Values Statement, in which they commit to act in accordance with them.

Visa-free travel to 185 countries. An Australian passport has a high reputation around the world. At the beginning of 2021, Australian citizens could travel visa-free (including countries where visas are issued at the border) to 185 countries worldwide.

An Australian passport was ranked in equal ninth position with Canada in the ranking based on the number of countries its citizens could travel to without a visa:

• Europe: Australian passport holders could travel to almost any European country, even during the Covid‑19 restrictions.

• Asia: Visa-free entry to Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Japan.

• North America: Entry to Canada and the United States for up to 90 days via electronic authorization.

Australian citizens are required to leave and enter Australia on their Australian passports.

Investor visa to the US. Australian citizens can obtain an E2 investor visa, which gives them the right to live and work in the US for 5 years. Also, due to the free trade agreement between the two countries, highly qualified specialists, such as doctors and engineers, can obtain an E3 work visa for two years. There is no limit on the number of times it can be renewed, provided that the applicant can prove their intention to return to Australia.

Consular support abroad. Australia provides consular services for its citizens abroad, including round-the-clock assistance from the Consular Emergency Centre. Under existing agreements with Canada, Australian citizens may receive certain services from Canadian postal services abroad.

Taxation in Australia. Unlike many countries, the financial year in Australia starts on July 1st.

The tax system has three levels: federal, state, and community or local. Income tax paid by legal entities and individuals is the main federal tax.

For individuals, the amount of income tax depends on their salary and residence status. Australian residents are taxed on income earned both in Australia and abroad. Income tax is levied at a progressive rate above the minimum tax-free threshold.

Individuals must obtain a taxpayer identification number and file an annual tax return. Payroll tax is typically withheld under the Pay as You Go scheme.

Non-residents pay tax only on income received in Australia, but the rates are higher than for residents. To obtain tax resident status, you must live in the country for more than 183 days a year.

Corporate income tax is effectively a tax on profit. Depending on the turnover, legal entities are divided into three categories of taxpayers. Companies with an annual turnover of at least AUD 100 million are considered large companies. Companies with an annual turnover under AUD 1 million are classified as small companies. All other companies qualify as medium-sized businesses.

Australia is ranked fourteenth in terms of ease of doing business.

Australia’s unique nature is diverse geographically and climatically: the climate is hot and humid in the north, semi-arid in the central part, and generally temperate to warm in the south and southeast.

Although Australia is primarily associated with beaches and surfing, it also attracts winter sports enthusiasts. In winter, the Australian Alps get more snow than Switzerland.

Australia is known for its biodiversity, with about 200,000 species living here. About 90% of them are endemic: they are not found on other continents. The most famous are kangaroos, koalas, platypuses, wombats, and echidnas.

Saudi Arabia imports camels from Australia. The number of camels in Australia is ten times more than that of koalas.

Australian cuisine is international. It is based on the British traditions of the first settlers. In the 20th century, under the influence of a new wave of immigrants, it was enriched with Asian and Mediterranean traditions. Its characteristic features are an abundance of seafood and exotic local dishes, such as ostrich and kangaroo meat.

Obtaining an Australia Golden Visa is long, complicated, and one of the most expensive. For example, it takes six times longer to process documents for an Australian Investor Visa than in an average European country. And the minimum investment of the Australia Investor Visa is 5 times higher than the offers of European programs.

Many residence permits, permanent residence permits and citizenship programs in Europe offer more convenient, fast and inexpensive conditions for investors. Options provided by European programs for investors include buying or leasing real estate, bank deposits, and buying government bonds.