This ‘investor retirement’ visa replaces the old ‘retirement visa’ with a new system based on making an investment in government bonds. If you already have an old system ‘retirement visa’ (or the last visa you ever held was) then you may be eligible for a renewal of that retirement visa. Both kinds of retirement visa are granted with limited work rights (20 hours per week) to facilitate semi-retirement, some involvement in small business, or other part time work.

Investor Retirement – Your 1st Application

The first time you apply for this visa the rules are:

• Visa application charges over $8,000 (a small payment at time of application + a large payment just prior to visa grant)
• Spouse may be included for no extra cost
• Sponsored by a State/Territory Government of Australia (we can arrange this for you)
• Age 55+ (main applicant only; spouse may be under 55)
• No dependents (if you/spouse have any dependents you will fail to qualify)
• Medical examinations and police checks must be undertaken
• You must obtain Australian health insurance before you will be granted the visa. We can advise you regarding acceptable insurers as a part of our service. Once you have the Investor Retirement Visa you must (as a condition of your visa) ensure your health insurance is always maintained. If you do not, the Australian Government may refuse to renew your investor retirement visa in the future.
• Pass a means test. The means test is the same for single people and for couples. There are 2 options:
1. If you chose to live in a ‘regional area’ you must:
1. Prove you have an annual net income AUD50,000
2. Buy government bonds worth AUD500,000
2. If you chose to live in any other area (such as a major city, or the Gold Coast) you must:
1. Prove you have an annual net income AUD65,000
2. Buy government bonds worth AUD750,000

Investor Retirement – Renewal applications

The rules are the same as above except:

• No age requirement if you already hold an investor retirement visa and are seeking to renew; this is important where a spouse dies leaving a partner alive who is under 55 but was included on the elder spouse’s investor retirement visa
• Less medical checks required
• The amount of bonds required drops by AUD250,000, allowing you to redeem AUD250,000 worth of bonds to invest elsewhere or to spend on things you want

If you believe that you may qualify for a Retirement Visa please complete our free case assessment.

Investor Retirement Visa and Retirement Visa