Australia offers several pathways for individuals to obtain citizenship, but there is no direct investment option that grants citizenship outright. Instead, there are Business and Investor Visas that allow you to stay in Australia and potentially move toward citizenship after fulfilling certain requirements. Here’s a breakdown of how much you need to invest, depending on the visa you apply for, and the process to eventually obtain citizenship.
How Much to Invest in Australia to Get Citizenship
Table of Contents
1. Business and Investor Visas Leading to Citizenship
Australia offers Business and Investor Visas for people who wish to start or invest in businesses. These visas provide a pathway to permanent residency (PR), and after holding PR for a number of years, you may apply for Australian citizenship. Below are the visa categories that can lead to citizenship:
Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) Visa (subclass 188)
This visa is for individuals who want to own or manage a business or invest in Australia. This visa is temporary, but it can lead to permanent residency and citizenship.
| Stream | Investment Requirement | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Business Innovation Stream | AUD 800,000 in personal assets | Aimed at those who want to own and manage a business in Australia. |
| Investor Stream | AUD 2.5 million in Australian government bonds | Required to invest in Australian state or territory bonds for 4 years. |
| Significant Investor Stream | AUD 5 million in eligible investments | For investors who want to make substantial investments in Australia. |
| Premium Investor Stream | AUD 15 million in premium investments | Targeted for individuals who want to make large-scale investments in Australia. |
Pathway to Citizenship:
After holding a subclass 188 visa for a period of time (usually 4 years), you may be eligible to apply for the Business Talent (Permanent) Visa (subclass 132) or Permanent Residency (subclass 888). After holding PR for 1 to 4 years (depending on the visa type), you can apply for Australian citizenship.
Business Talent (Permanent) Visa (subclass 132)
This permanent visa is for people who are highly successful business owners or investors.
| Stream | Investment Requirement | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Significant Business History Stream | AUD 1.5 million in personal and business assets | For individuals who have an established business history and wish to operate in Australia. |
| Venture Capital Entrepreneur Stream | AUD 1 million in venture capital funding | For entrepreneurs who wish to start a high-value business and have venture capital backing. |
Pathway to Citizenship:
If you are granted the subclass 132 visa, you can work and live in Australia permanently. After 1 to 4 years of permanent residency, you may apply for Australian citizenship.
2. Investor Visa (subclass 891) – Permanent Residency Pathway
This is a permanent residency visa for people who hold the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) Visa (subclass 188) and have fulfilled the requirements to transition to permanent residency.
| Investment Requirement | Investment Amount | Time to Apply for Citizenship |
|---|---|---|
| Investment in Australian Assets | Minimum AUD 1.5 million | Hold PR for 1 to 4 years before applying for citizenship. |
Pathway to Citizenship:
Once you hold permanent residency for a specified number of years, you may apply for citizenship.
3. Skilled Migration Visa (Not Directly Related to Investment)
If you’re highly skilled in a profession that is in demand in Australia, you can apply for a Skilled Migration Visa. This does not require an investment, but you may need to prove that you have the qualifications and skills that meet the Australian labor market’s needs.
| Visa Type | Investment Requirement | Pathway to Citizenship |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) | No investment required | After 4 years of holding PR, you may apply for citizenship. |
| Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) | No investment required, but nomination by a state is needed | After 2 to 4 years of holding PR, you can apply for citizenship. |
4. Citizenship Requirements in Australia
To apply for Australian citizenship, you must meet certain eligibility criteria, including:
| Eligibility Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | You must be over the age of 16 to apply for citizenship. |
| Permanent Residency | You must have held permanent residency in Australia for at least 4 years, and for 12 months prior to your application. |
| Residency Requirement | You must have lived in Australia for at least 4 years before applying. |
| Good Character | You must pass a character test as required by Australian law. |
| Language Proficiency | You must demonstrate proficiency in English. |
| Citizenship Test | Applicants between the ages of 18 and 59 are required to pass a citizenship test to show knowledge of Australia’s history, values, and institutions. |
5. How Long Does It Take to Get Citizenship?
- Investment Visa Pathway: You must first obtain a temporary business or investment visa, which could take up to 4 years, depending on the stream. After meeting the visa requirements and holding permanent residency for 1-4 years, you can apply for citizenship.
- Skilled Migration Visa Pathway: If you come to Australia on a skilled migration visa, you can apply for citizenship after holding permanent residency for 2-4 years.
6. Key Considerations for Investors
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Taxation | Be aware of Australia’s taxation policies on income and capital gains. |
| State or Territory Nomination | Some visas, like the Investor Stream or Significant Investor Stream, may require a nomination by a state or territory government. |
| Visa Fees | Business and investment visa fees can range from AUD 4,000 to AUD 15,000, depending on the stream. |
| Business Experience | Many investment visas require proof of business experience or successful investment history. |
| Investment Duration | Some visa streams require you to maintain investments in Australia for a set period (e.g., 4 years for the Investor Stream). |
Conclusion
To obtain Australian citizenship through investment, you will generally need to invest a significant amount of capital in the country. The amount of investment depends on the type of visa you apply for:
- AUD 800,000 to AUD 15 million for business and investment visas.
- You must then hold permanent residency for 1-4 years before being eligible to apply for citizenship.
It’s important to understand the requirements of each visa stream, including the investment amounts and the timeframes for obtaining permanent residency and eventually citizenship.
FAQs About Investment and Australian Citizenship
1. Can I get Australian citizenship directly by investing?
- No, there is no direct citizenship by investment in Australia. However, investment in a business or through other visa streams can lead to permanent residency, which is a pathway to citizenship.
2. How much do I need to invest to apply for Australian citizenship?
- To apply for Australian citizenship through an investment visa, you must invest between AUD 800,000 to AUD 15 million, depending on the visa stream.
3. How long does it take to get Australian citizenship through investment?
- It generally takes 4-5 years, including time on a provisional visa and permanent residency, before you can apply for citizenship.
4. Can I bring my family when applying for a business or investor visa?
- Yes, most business and investor visas allow you to include your spouse and dependent children in the application.
5. Do I need to live in Australia to maintain my investment visa?
- Yes, most investment visa streams require you to live in Australia while maintaining your investment.