United Kingdom – Tier 1 (Investor) Visa
Introduction
• The UK Government have created the Tier 1 (Investor) visa to enable high net worth individuals from outside of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland to avail of the benefits of investing and residing in the United Kingdom.
• The Tier 1 (Investor) visa facilitates non-EEA nationals and their families to acquire a secure residency status in the UK initially for a maximum of 3 years and 4 months.
• Any non-EEA national may apply for residency for themselves and their spouse/ partner and children under the age of 18.
• The tier 1 (Investor) programme is aimed at high net worth individuals, you must have access to at least £2,000,000 in investment funds to apply.
• This briefing note is intended as a helpful guide and is not an interpretation of the law.
Overview of the Program
How long you can stay:
• you can come to the UK with a Tier 1 (Investor) visa for a maximum of 3 years and 4 months
• you can apply to extend this visa for another 2 years
You can:
• invest £2,000,000 or more in UK government bonds, share capital or loan capital in active and trading UK registered companies
• work or study
• apply to settle after 2 years if you invest £10 million
• apply to settle after 3 years if you invest £5 million
You cannot:
• invest in companies mainly engaged in property investment, property management or property development
• work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach
• get public funds
Processing Time
• You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before your date of travel to the UK.
• You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
Eligibility
• You must have at least £2,000,000 investment funds to apply for a Tier 1 (Investor) visa.
• Your money can be in the UK or overseas when you apply.
You must:
• be 18 or over to apply for this visa
• be able to prove that the money belongs to either you or your husband, wife, unmarried or same-sex partner
• have opened a UK bank account
Your funds must be:
• held in one or more regulated financial institutions
• free to spend (‘disposable’) in the UK
Evidence of investment funds
• You’ll need to provide evidence showing that you have the required investment funds.
Your own money: if you’re using your own money to invest, you should be able to show
• how much money you have and where it’s being held
• where the money came from if you haven’t had the money for at least 3 months, eg you inherited it from a relative
• that the money can be transferred to the UK and converted to sterling (if it’s not already in the UK)
Your partner’s money: you’ll need to provide
• a certificate of marriage or civil partnership, or in the case of unmarried or same-sex relationships, proof that you are in a long-term relationship (at least 2 years)
• a statement from your partner confirming that they will allow you to control the funds in the UK
• a letter from a legal adviser stating that the declaration is valid
Extend your visa
• You may be able to extend your Tier 1 (Investor) visa.
• You should include any dependants who are on your current visa on your application to extend - including children who have turned 18 during your stay.
You can apply to extend your visa if you:
• have at least £2,000,000 under your control in the UK
• have invested those funds in UK government bonds, share capital or loan capital in active UK companies
• invested this sum within 3 months of your ‘investor start date’
Funds under your control in the UK
• You must have invested the full amount made up of your own money or your partner’s money.
Family members
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:
• your husband, wife or partner
• your child under 18
If you are interested in this Immigration Program, then please fill the Get in Touch Form below. On receipt of your message a company representative will contact you to provide you with further information.
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