891 Investor Visa

Important: the 891 visa is only open to holders of old provisional business visas

The 891 visa can only be applied for by people who hold one of the older provisional business visas (the Investor visa, subclass 162). Those provisional visas closed to new applicants on 1 July 2012, when they were replaced by the Business Innovation and Investment program, so very few people can still use this pathway. The Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) itself closed to new applications on 31 July 2024; existing 188 holders move to permanent residence through the 888 visa. Business owners, investors and entrepreneurs now generally need to consider other options, such as the National Innovation visa. The information below is kept for reference.

891 Investor Visa

The Investor visa allows successful investors to reside in Australia on a permanent basis. To qualify for this visa, you must hold a provisional Investor visa, and have maintained a designated investment in Australia for at least four years. The minimum requirements for this visa are set out below:

Investor visa requirements

Applicant

As the visa applicant, you must:

hold a provisional Investor visa (subclass 162)
have been in Australia as the holder of that visa for a total of at least two years during the last four years

Investment

You (and your spouse/de facto partner, if applicable) must have continuously held a designated investment of at least A$1.5 million in Australia for at least four years
You (and your spouse/de facto partner, if applicable) have never been involved in unacceptable business or investment activities
You are committed to maintaining investment activity or a business in Australia

Application process

Once you have provided the required information and supporting documents, we will notify the business development agency in the State or Territory in which your investment is located of your intention to continue your investment activity. We will then prepare and lodge your visa application with the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA).

The main criterion is that you meet the requirements referred to above, which will involve providing evidence of your designated investment. In addition, you must meet the standard health and character checks.

Should your visa application be approved, you will be granted a permanent visa. You must be in Australia both when your application is lodged and when your visa is granted.

PLEASE NOTE: We estimate that it may take several weeks to prepare and lodge your application, with the time taken largely dependent on how promptly you (and your sponsor, if applicable) provide us with the necessary supporting information and documents.

The time that it takes the DOHA to process your application is dependent upon its processing time service standards, and may also vary due to a number of other factors, including the complexity of your case, perceived risk factors and processing priorities. Please contact us for current information regarding likely processing timeframes for this type of application.

Other business visas

Business Visa Points Test Calculator

188 Visa eligibility streams (closed to new applications from 31 July 2024):

A. Business Innovation
for business owners seeking to establish business operations in Australia
B. Investor
for people who are willing to invest $1.5 million in an Australian State or Territory bonds
C. Significant Investor
for people willing to invest $5 million into complying investments in Australia
D. Premium Investor
for people with significant funds who are willing to invest at least $15 million into complying premium investments in Australia.
E. Entrepreneur
for people who have a funding agreement from a third party for at least AUD200 000 to undertake a complying entrepreneur activity

Note that business migration can be extremely complex, and even determining whether you have a good chance of qualifying can be difficult. In addition, you may be able to qualify in a number of different business migration categories.