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The Tier 1 (Investor) visa is aimed at individuals who can invest a substantial financial investment in the UK. You must have access to a minimum of £2 million in investment funds.
An Investor visa allows you to live in the UK to work, study or engage in Business activities.
The investor visa is valid for 3 years but can have an extension of 2 years so long all criteria are met properly. After this extension period, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
New eligibility criteria were introduced In March 2019 making the requirements more rigid for new applicants. You should seek legal advice if you are considering investment of any kind in the UK. This will ensure that the rigid requirements are implemented in your visa application. It is vital that all necessary information is provided to avoid delays with the application processing.
Eligibility:
You must meet the following criteria in order to apply for the Tier 1 (investor) visa:
- Age 18 or over;
- A minimum of £2 Million investment funds;
- Provide proof of the money belonging to yourself or your partner;
- Hold an account at a UK regulated bank to use for your funds; and
- Hold your funds in one or more regulated financial institutions. During your application, your money can be either in the UK or overseas.
The renewed Immigration Rules have incorporated further criteria which means you will need to present the following as part of your application:
- The £2 Million investment is the price paid by the investor rather than the market value;
- The investment money belongs either to yourself, your spouse or civil partner;
- The funds must be held in one or more regulated financial institutions and. The UK bank holding your funds will need to perform all due diligence checks and will need to confirm as such;
- The funds are readily available for transfer to and investment in the UK;
- The requirement to present the source of funds where £2 Million has been held for less than 2 years;
- The Home Office can refuse your application if they have reasonable grounds to believe the funds used for the investment breached exchange controls.
What You Can Do:
- Work, study and engage in Business activities within the UK
- Bring dependents (family members) with you.
What You Cannot Do:
- Benefit from public funds.
- Use this visa to work in professional sports (sportsperson or coach).
- Work as a Trainee Dentist or Doctor (there are some exceptional circumstances where this does not apply).
FAQs:
Maximum limit for this visa is three years and four months. However, you can apply for an extension of 2 years.
Applying outside of the UK: This will be an online application before traveling to the UK. Your Biometrics will be taken at a visa application centre as part of your application.
Applying inside the UK: You may apply to extend your existing Tier 1 (Investor) visa, or to switch form one visa to another.
Once application is complete, you should receive a decision within three weeks.
Conditions in which you may apply to settle permanently in the UK are:
- After 2 years if you have invested £10 Million
- After 3 years if you have invested £5 Million
- After 5 years if you have invested £2 Million
- Dependents you bring with you must wait 5 years before they can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
You can change to this visa if you meet the eligibility criteria and are already in the UK under any of the following visas:
- Tier 1 (General)
- Tier 2 (Entrepreneur)
- Any Tier 2 category (including the new Skilled Worker Visa and Inter-company Visa)
Contact White Horse Solicitors & Notary Public for expert advice by experienced professionals on all areas of Immigration law. The many conditions and immigration requirements that must be met are handled by White Horse Solicitors and Notary Public with excellent professionalism, reliable conduct and integrity. We will ensure that our advice focuses on your personal circumstances and will always aim to achieve brilliant results for our clients.
White Horse Solicitors & Notary Public is well placed and highly qualified in providing professional advice and assistance on making a Investor Visa application. We recommend getting in contact with us on 020 7118 1778 for our specialist and professional advice on such an application before any action is taken.
The information contained on this page is sourced from UK Visas and Immigration and is subject to change. White Horse Solicitors & Notary Public makes every effort to keep this information current, however prices and information cannot be guaranteed and should always be checked on www.gov.uk.
