Business Investor Visa Home Loan Australia – 188 Visa
Last updated: 8 May 2026 · Reading time: 8 minutes
If you hold a Business Investor Visa and want to buy property in Australia, you’re in a strong position. Many business owners and investors on the 188 visa successfully secure home loans every year. Professional Home Loans specialises in lending for business and investor visa holders and has helped hundreds of clients buy homes with deposits as low as 10% where possible.
Fast facts before you read on
- Fast pre-approval and settlement guidance
- Access to lenders offering up to 90% LVR for eligible 188 visa holders
- Up to 95% LVR if buying jointly with an Australian citizen or permanent resident partner
- No-obligation, no-cost service – we only get paid if you settle
Why business investor visa holders can get a home loan in Australia
Australia welcomes business owners and high-net-worth investors through the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) and the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888). Lenders view these visa holders favourably because of your demonstrated business success, investment capital, and commitment to Australia. Specialist banks treat you similarly to permanent residents when you have stable Australian income.
Learn more about our full range of home loan options.
Which business investor visas do we help with?
We regularly assist clients on:
- 188 Visa (Business Innovation and Investment – Provisional) – all streams including Business Innovation, Investor, and Significant Investor
- 888 Visa (Business Innovation and Investment – Permanent)
- Related graduate business investor pathways
How much can you actually borrow on a business investor visa?
Lending limits depend on your visa stream, business income, Australian residency period, and whether you apply alone or jointly.
Typical maximum Loan-to-Value Ratios (LVR):
- 188 Visa (provisional): up to 90% LVR with specialist lenders
- 888 Visa (permanent): often treated like a citizen/PR – up to 95%+ LVR
- Joint application with an Australian citizen or permanent resident partner: up to 95% LVR (biggest advantage)
Important 2026 update: Temporary visa holders (including most 188 streams) are currently restricted from purchasing established (second-hand) dwellings until at least March 2027. You can still buy new homes, off-the-plan apartments, or vacant land to build on. This rule applies to most foreign persons and temporary residents (official guidance: foreigninvestment.gov.au).
Extra costs you must budget for
- Foreign buyer stamp duty surcharge – 7–8% of the purchase price in most states (no surcharge in ACT or NT).
- FIRB approval – required in almost all cases unless buying jointly with an Australian citizen or PR partner. FIRB fees start at a few thousand dollars (full details on the ATO residential property application page).
- Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) – applies when borrowing over 80% LVR.
- Standard stamp duty, legal fees, and moving costs.
Buying jointly with a citizen or PR partner often removes both the FIRB requirement and the stamp duty surcharge – a huge saving.
Step-by-step process to get your business investor visa home loan
- Free strategy session – We review your visa, business income, deposit, and goals (30 minutes, no obligation).
- Pre-approval – We submit to the lenders who actively lend to 188/888 visa holders. Get started with our pre-approval process.
- FIRB application (if required) – We guide you through the simple online process.
- Property search & contract – Once pre-approved, you can confidently make an offer.
- Full application & settlement – We handle everything until keys are in your hand.
Most clients go from enquiry to pre-approval in 3–7 days.
Benefits of buying on a business investor visa
- Lock in today’s interest rates and property prices before moving to permanent residency.
- Build equity while running your Australian business.
- Same competitive interest rates as Australian citizens in most cases.
- Strong business and investment profile often unlocks better lending terms.
- Many clients say owning a home helped them feel truly settled and committed to Australia.
Tips to maximise your approval chances
- Show at least 12 months of stable Australian business or employment income.
- Provide clear business financials (accountant-prepared statements help).
- Keep savings mostly in Australia.
- Use our free borrowing power calculator or stamp duty calculator to see exactly what you can afford.
Common myths debunked
Myth: “Banks won’t lend to temporary business visa holders.” Reality: Specialist lenders actively lend to 188 visa holders – you just need the right broker.
Myth: “I’ll pay a much higher interest rate.” Reality: You can access the same rates and discounts as citizens/PRs with the right lender.
Myth: “I need 20% deposit and can’t buy until PR.” Reality: Many 188 holders buy with 10% deposit (or less when joint) and start building equity now.
Ready to buy your first home in Australia on your business investor visa?
Contact Professional Home Loans today on 1300 55 44 97, visit our contact page, or complete our quick online enquiry form. We’ll tell you exactly what is possible for your 188/888 visa situation – with zero cost and zero obligation.
About the Author: Tom Luu
Tom Luu is a specialist mortgage broker and the founder of Professional Home Loans. With over 9 years of experience in the Australian mortgage industry, Tom specializes in complex lending scenarios, particularly for medical professionals, expats, and temporary visa holders. He is dedicated to helping clients navigate the nuances of Australian credit policies to secure the best possible financial outcomes.
Experience: 9+ Years in Mortgage Broking
Credentials: Credit Representative Number 486574
Expertise: Visa Home Loans, Professional LMI Waivers, and Expat Finance.
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FAQs – Business Investor Visa Home Loans
Can I get a home loan on a Business Investor Visa (188)? Yes. Specialist lenders offer home loans to 188 visa holders, with maximum LVRs of up to 90% when you are the sole applicant.
How much deposit do I need for a business investor visa home loan? Typically 10–20% plus costs. Some clients qualify for as little as 5% deposit when buying jointly with an Australian citizen or permanent resident partner.
Do I need FIRB approval on a 188 visa? Yes in most cases unless you are buying jointly with an Australian citizen or PR partner. FIRB approval is straightforward but adds a small fee and processing time.
Will I pay the foreign buyer stamp duty surcharge? Yes in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and most other states (7–8%). No surcharge in the ACT or Northern Territory. Buying jointly with a citizen/PR partner usually removes the surcharge.
Can 188 visa holders buy established homes in 2026? No – there is currently a government ban (until March 2027) on temporary visa holders purchasing established dwellings. New builds, off-the-plan properties, and vacant land are still permitted.
Are interest rates higher for business investor visa holders? No. With the right lender you receive the same competitive rates and discounts available to Australian citizens and permanent residents.
Do I qualify for the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) on a business investor visa? Generally no. The grant is usually only available to Australian citizens or permanent residents.
What documents will lenders need for a business investor visa home loan? Valid 188/888 visa grant, business financial statements, personal tax returns, recent payslips (if applicable), bank statements showing savings, proof of deposit funds, and ID. We compile everything for you.
Is the loan term limited by my 188 visa expiry date? Most lenders require the loan term to fit within your remaining visa duration or have a clear exit strategy (e.g., refinance on 888 PR). We match you with flexible lenders.
Can self-employed business owners on a 188 visa get approved? Yes – in fact, lenders often view strong Australian business income favourably. We work with accountants to present your financials in the best light.
What happens to my home loan if I gain permanent residency (888 visa)? Nothing negative – it becomes much easier. You can often refinance to better rates, remove LMI (if applicable), and access higher LVR options as a permanent resident.
How long does the whole business investor visa home loan process take? Pre-approval can happen in 3–7 days. Full settlement usually takes 6–8 weeks once you find a property.
“You not only got the loan approved on time, but at a better rate! You are professional, honest, dedicated & obviously love what you do-your passion shines through & I look forward to doing all my loans through you from now on!”
Linh
After having two other brokers tell us that we had to be in Australia with proof of payslips to buy a house, we had lost hope of buying from NZ before moving over. Thankfully we found Professional Home Loans online! Michael has been amazing from start to finish. His replies to my emails were always prompt and he managed to sort an issue with our paperwork before settlement. We are very grateful for Michael’s hard work. Without it we likely would have given up on our dream of moving to WA as it would have been tricky getting a rental with pets, especially during a rental crisis.
Melanie Downers
We had a very complex mortgage transaction to negotiate as we live overseas and did not have the 20% deposit. However, Michael Nguyen from MAP was instrumental in helping us purchase our first home. We would genuinely recommend Michael to anyone looking to purchase a house. Thanks Michael.
Robert Smith
Great service, always attentive and let us know what would happen, how it would work, what was required etc. Tom goes the extra mile and is always available on the phone or email at anytime to explain things. Phenomenal Service. You won’t get better (Although first house purchase in Australia, this is my 4th house purchase and the best service yet by far!)
Peter