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Skip to content Tier 1 Investor visas are reserved for those who can afford to invest a large sum of money in the UK. The minimum investment required to obtain a UK Investor visa is £2 million, and you must be prepared to invest your money into running businesses in the UK.
For foreign nationals wishing to invest in the UK, our knowledgeable immigration lawyers provide first-rate consultancy services. To get immediate assistance call us now at 02033844389. We’re always available to help you.
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Rich people who want to make a big investment in the UK can get a Tier 1 Investor visa. Individuals holding an investor visa are granted the right to work, study, and participate in business endeavours. They can also bring their dependents with them or join them. After five years on a Tier 1 Investor visa, most people are able to settle in the UK. Visa holders who invest a significant amount in the UK are eligible for expedited settlement.
You must meet the following criteria to be eligible for an investor visa to the UK:
It is necessary to provide evidence of the origin of your investment money if they have been in your possession for less than two years. The Home Office must be satisfied with this evidence in every instance.
You and any adult dependents seeking an Investor visa from outside the country must present a criminal record certificate from each country where you have resided for a minimum of 12 months within the past decade.
You will not have to meet any English language or maintenance money requirements.
Depending on your situation, the standards you must meet may differ. Consult an immigration lawyer if you need legal counsel.
If you are unsure of your position or would like to ensure that your application is handled by a knowledgeable specialist, get in touch with one of our friendly team members now at 02033844389 to find out exactly how we can assist you to get it right first time round, saving you time, money and the heartache of being refused.
The rules for getting an Investor visa don’t say that investment funds have to have been held for two years.
Investments held for less than two years may still be eligible under this route if they were acquired from:
If you have had your UK Investor visa investment funds for at least two years, you will not have to show specific proof of where the funds came from. Currently, there is no need to include an independent audit of your business and financial interests when applying for an Investor visa. If you still want to spend, you will need to show the Home Office that you legally got the money.
If you want to get an Investor visa, you will need to put at least £2 million into investments that qualify. Share capital and/or loan capital in live and trading UK-registered companies are the only types of investments that qualify for a Tier 1 Investor visa. To get a UK Investor visa, you must make a suitable investment within 90 days of entering the country.
Investing is limited in several ways by the Immigration Rules for Investors. For instance, it is against the law to invest in foreign companies or trusts, open-ended investment companies, and companies whose main business is investing in, managing, or developing real estate.
Investor visa applicants can usually expect a response on their entry clearance applications within 5 working days if they use the priority service offered by most visa application centres outside the UK.
There are two options available to Tier 1 investors seeking further UK residency: the conventional 8-week process or the priority 5-working-day process. The normal six-month consideration and the priority ten-working-day consideration are available to Tier 1 investors seeking indefinite leave to remain within the UK.
When applying from outside the UK, your initial investor visa will be valid for 3 years and 4 months, and when applying from within the UK, it will be valid for 3 years.
In order to qualify, you must invest £2 million or more in UK companies that are currently trading within three months of joining the category. After that, you’ll have to keep up with your investment.
Tier 1 Investor visa holders are eligible for two more years of stay extensions, and after five years, they can apply for settlement, which is essentially indefinite leave to remain. Additionally, if you invest £5 million or £10 million, you can get an expedited route to settlement after 3 years or 2 years, respectively, as a Tier 1 Investor migrant.
Unless you are 65 or older, you must have a sufficient command of the English language and sufficient experience of life in the UK in order to settle in the UK. Additionally, you must not spend more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period.
The conditions for obtaining an extension of your Tier 1 Investor visa will differ depending on whether your original visa was issued between 6 November 2014 and 28 March 2019 or on or after 29 March 2019. Our website about the Tier 1 Investor Visa Extension has more details. Seeking legal counsel from an immigration attorney can help you meet the strict requirements set out by the Immigration Rules for your extension application.
Tier 1 investors can apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK after 2, 3, or 5 years of residency. Your investment amount and the date of your Tier 1 Investor visa grant will determine the criteria you must meet to be eligible for investment-linked residency (ILR). If you need expert guidance, call our specialist immigration lawyers.
You can apply to switch to this visa if you meet the eligibility requirements and you’re already in the UK under one of the following categories:
You must leave the UK and make your application from abroad if you’re in another category.
You can stay a maximum of 3 years after switching to a Tier 1 (Investor) visa. You can also extend your visa if you’re eligible.
Your family members (‘dependants’) can come with you when you come to the UK on this visa. They must have a visa if they’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. A ‘dependant’ is any of the following:
Adult family members must provide a criminal record certificate from any country they have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
If you have children while you’re in the UK, you can apply for permission for them to stay. You must do this if you want to travel in and out of the UK with them. When you apply, send a full UK birth certificate for each child showing the names of both parents.
There are strict documentation requirements for Investor visa applications as outlined in the Immigration Rules. If you want your application to be well-prepared and accurate, it can be wise to see an immigration lawyer.
Among the best immigration firms in the UK for investors, UK Immigration Solicitors is well-known. We have also won multiple industry awards for this work.
To ensure that investors and their families receive high-quality visa applications, our investment immigration solicitors collaborate closely with investors, wealth managers, and top banks. If you are an investor looking for immigration advice, our solicitors can help you navigate the maze of regulations and rules put in place by the Home Office.
When it comes to understanding and satisfying our clients’ needs, we take great satisfaction in being both approachable and proactive. As part of our professional service, our highly motivated team is committed to giving investors trustworthy immigration guidance.