Australian PR by investment: your questions answered.
Understand who the programme is for, what the managed service includes and how the costs and visa process work. Clear answers before you decide whether to take the next step.
The Research & Enterprise programme supports an application under the National Innovation Visa, subclass 858. Your professional record and visa eligibility remain central.
Programme expenditure funding research, enterprise development and specialist delivery. No scheduled capital repayment.
How does the route work?
A managed research and enterprise programme supports your application through the National Innovation Visa framework.
What is the Research & Enterprise Pathway?
It is a private programme combining Australian university research activity, venture development and specialist immigration support. It is designed for accomplished business owners and senior leaders whose existing credentials can support a National Innovation Visa application.
Is this a separate Australian government investor visa?
No. The immigration route is the National Innovation Visa, subclass 858. “By investment” describes the programme’s funding component. The US$250,000 fee is not a government-prescribed visa investment threshold.
Does the visa grant permanent residency directly?
Yes. The NIV is a permanent visa. If your application is approved, you receive permanent residence at grant; this route does not require an initial temporary visa stage.
Can I qualify simply by paying the programme fee?
No. Your existing achievements and applicable visa criteria remain essential. Programme funding supports research, enterprise and specialist delivery; it does not replace the required professional record or guarantee approval.
Who should consider this programme?
The starting point is your professional record, supported by evidence of what you have built, led or accomplished.
What is the initial candidate profile?
The programme screens for a bachelor’s degree or higher, documented business or professional accomplishments, substantial company leadership experience and net worth of US$500,000 or more. You must also be able to fund the US$250,000 programme.
Are the degree and net-worth thresholds government visa requirements?
They are the private programme’s screening criteria. Meeting them does not establish NIV eligibility. The visa separately requires an internationally recognised exceptional record, continued prominence and a credible contribution to Australia.
Do I need to be a scientist or academic?
No. The programme is designed to assess accomplished business owners, founders, CEOs and senior leaders, including leaders within global companies. Your proposed Australian project should connect credibly with your expertise.
What evidence should I prepare?
A detailed CV with specific achievements is the starting point. Relevant supporting evidence may include business results, innovation, awards, industry recognition, high remuneration or substantial leadership outcomes. Your job title alone does not establish suitability.
Can I be considered if I am 55 or older?
The NIV has no general upper age limit. Applicants aged 55 or older must demonstrate exceptional benefit to Australia. Programme suitability and the additional evidence required need individual assessment.
What level of English is required?
Applicants aged 18 or older must provide evidence of functional English or pay the applicable second instalment of the government visa charge. Specialists explain how this applies to you and any included family members.
How much is handled for me?
Specialists coordinate the project, venture and application work. You provide your credentials, decisions and agreed participation.
Is the programme fully managed?
The service is designed to coordinate research project development, institutional engagement, business planning, company establishment, incubation and immigration preparation. Your agreement defines the scope and responsibilities. You still supply evidence, attend relevant discussions and participate in agreed activities.
Do I need to arrive with an Australian research project or company?
You do not need a completed Australian research project or a pre-existing Australian company to make an initial enquiry. The programme helps suitable candidates develop the project and establish the venture around their assessed expertise.
Will I need to run a start-up myself?
The programme includes business planning, company administration and incubation support. Your own role in the venture and research activities must be agreed during intake. It should not be treated as a passive arrangement with no responsibilities.
Who handles the immigration application?
Independent Australian immigration professionals provide legal advice and representation. Australia Residency facilitates access to assessment and programme services; it does not make government decisions.
Is government nomination guaranteed?
No. The programme works to secure appropriate institutional support and government agency nomination. Each organisation makes its own decision. Nomination can support priority consideration but does not guarantee an invitation or visa approval.
What is the financial commitment?
Understand the programme fee, payment schedule and refund milestone before signing.
How much does the programme cost?
The programme fee is US$250,000. It funds coordinated research, enterprise development and specialist services. Confirm your complete service scope and any additional charges in the written quotation.
Will my US$250,000 be returned?
There is no scheduled capital repayment or promised investment return. Budget for the fee as programme expenditure. Refund provisions for particular events are separate and governed by the signed agreement.
When do I pay?
The standard schedule requires a US$10,000 deposit to secure an offered place, followed by the US$240,000 balance within the agreed three-week payment period. The deposit is included in the total fee.
When does the fee become non-refundable?
Under the proposed standard terms, the full programme fee becomes non-refundable when Home Affairs invites you to apply for the NIV, before the final visa decision. Earlier withdrawal, failure to obtain an invitation and any deductions depend on your signed agreement.
Are funds held in escrow?
The supplied terms describe a provider holding account and milestone-based release. This does not by itself establish independently administered escrow. Review the account and release arrangements in the agreement. Australia Residency does not hold client programme funds.
Does US$250,000 cover every cost for my family?
The supplied scope includes immigration services for the principal applicant. Confirm government visa charges, dependant legal fees, medicals, police certificates, translations, taxes and any additional services in your written quotation.
What happens between intake and PR?
Programme admission, nomination, invitation and visa approval are separate milestones.
How long does the programme take?
The supplied estimates are 1–4 weeks for intake, 3–5 months for preparation, around two months for the EOI stage and 6–11 months for the visa stage. Together they indicate approximately 11–19 months including intake. These are indicative programme estimates; government timing may be longer.
Is the EOI itself a visa application?
No. An Expression of Interest asks Home Affairs to consider you for an invitation. You can lodge the NIV application only after being invited. An EOI does not guarantee an invitation.
Does an invitation mean the visa is effectively approved?
No. An invitation is not a pre-assessment of visa eligibility. Home Affairs evaluates your application and supporting evidence when you apply; assessment is not limited to security or background checks.
How long do I have to apply after invitation?
You must lodge the NIV application within 60 days of invitation, including the completed Form 1000 and required supporting evidence. Home Affairs does not extend that invitation period.
Can my partner and children be included?
Eligible members of your family unit may be included in the visa application, subject to the applicable rules and their own requirements. Confirm each dependant’s eligibility and fees with the immigration professionals.
Does permanent residency include Australian citizenship?
No. Permanent residency and citizenship are separate statuses. Any later citizenship application has its own eligibility requirements, including applicable residence requirements. The programme does not promise a passport.
How do I find out whether I fit?
Make an initial enquiry, then progress to a detailed review if your background appears suitable.
What do I need for the detailed profile review?
A detailed CV, your passport picture page and a one-page description of your expertise or current business. You do not need to upload these documents to make first contact; we explain how to provide them if a review is appropriate.
Do I have to pay programme fees to make an enquiry?
No. No programme payment is required to use the enquiry form below. Your suitability and programme terms should be considered before you commit.
What if I am unsure whether my achievements are strong enough?
Describe your role, the scale of your business or responsibilities, and two or three achievements you can substantiate. The review considers your complete profile and whether further assessment is appropriate.
Have a question about your own circumstances?
Tell us about your background, plans and the questions you would like answered. We’ll explain whether an initial profile review is appropriate and help you understand the next steps.
- Start with a short enquiry You do not need to upload your passport or CV to make first contact.
- Understand the fit before committing Suitable enquiries progress to a review of your credentials and a discussion of programme terms.
- One coordinated next step We connect suitable candidates with the specialists responsible for assessment and delivery.
US$250,000 programme commitment. No programme payment is required to make this enquiry. Formal admission and visa approval are separate decisions.
Request your eligibility assessment
A few details about you and your professional background will help us identify the appropriate next step.