Tier 1 Investor Visa

The Tier 1 Investor Visa route is designed for high net worth individuals who are willing to make a substantial financial investment in the UK. If granted, you will have the right to live, work, study and carry out business activities in the UK. Your dependent family members can also accompany or join you.

Investor Visa holders may apply for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) after 5 years of residence. An accelerated settlement route is available for those who invest higher amounts.

UK Tier 1 Investor Visa Requirements

To qualify, you must demonstrate that:

• You are at least 18 years old.

• You have at least £2 million available for investment in the UK.

• The funds belong to you, your partner, or jointly to both of you.

• The funds are held in a regulated financial institution.

• The funds are freely transferable to the UK and convertible into pound sterling.

• You have opened an account with a UK regulated bank for the purpose of investing at least £2 million.

• If the funds have been under your control for less than two years, you must provide evidence of the lawful source of funds.

The investment funds must not have been transferred through unlawful instruments in any country involved.

If applying from outside the UK, you must provide an overseas criminal record certificate from any country where you have lived for at least 12 months in the last 10 years.

You are not required to prove English language ability at the initial application stage. You are also not required to show separate maintenance funds, as your investment funds are considered sufficient.

2-Year Fund Requirement

There is no mandatory requirement that your investment funds must have been held for 2 years. However, if they have not been held for 2 years, you must show that the funds came from a lawful source, such as:

• A gift from a third party

• Sale of property, business, or other assets

• Business profits

• Inheritance

• Divorce settlement

• Financial award or winnings

• Any other lawful and verifiable source

If you have held the funds for at least 2 years, you generally do not need to provide detailed source of funds evidence, although you must still show they were lawfully obtained.

Investment Options

You must invest at least £2 million in qualifying UK investments, such as:

• Share capital in active and trading UK-registered companies

• Loan capital in active and trading UK-registered companies

The investment must be made within 90 days of entering the UK.

Prohibited investments include offshore companies, property investment companies, property management, property development, and open-ended investment companies.

Visa Validity and Extension

The visa is initially granted for:

• 3 years (if applying inside the UK)

• 3 years and 4 months (if applying from outside the UK)

You must maintain your investment throughout your stay. Before expiry, you can apply for an extension and receive an additional 2 years.

Settlement (ILR)

After 5 years of residence, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

Accelerated settlement is available if you invest:

• £5 million (eligible after 3 years)

• £10 million (eligible after 2 years)

To qualify for settlement, you must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period. You must also meet English language requirements and pass the Life in the UK Test (unless exempt).

How Our Lawyers Can Help

Our experienced immigration lawyers can:

• Assess your eligibility

• Identify strengths and weaknesses in your case

• Advise on required documentation

• Prepare and review your application

• Draft a detailed legal representation letter

• Submit your application and arrange biometrics

• Respond to Home Office queries

• Provide ongoing support throughout the process