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Tier 1 Investor Visa

As of now, new applicants are no longer accepted for this pathway. However, those who currently possess entry clearance or have been granted leave to enter or remain under the Tier 1 Investor Migrant category are eligible to seek an extension of their stay or apply for indefinite leave to remain. Requests for additional leave to remain as a Tier 1 Investor are accepted until February 17, 2026, while applications for indefinite leave to remain under the Tier 1 Investor category are open until February 17, 2028.

The Tier 1 Investor visa classification is designed for individuals with the capacity to make a significant financial investment in the UK. To be eligible for a UK Investor visa, you must have access to a minimum of £2 million and be prepared to invest these funds in actively trading companies based in the UK.

To be eligible for a UK Tier 1 Investor visa, you must meet the following requirements:

  1. Financial Criteria:
  • Possess funds of at least £2 million, either individually, jointly with your partner, or with your partner.
  • The funds must be held in a regulated financial institution.
  • The money should be freely transferable to the UK and convertible to pounds sterling.
  • Open a bank account with a UK regulated bank for the purpose of investing a minimum of £2 million in the UK.
  1. Source of Funds:
  • If you have held your investment funds for less than 2 years, provide evidence of the source of your funds.
  • The Home Office will scrutinize the provenance of your funds in all cases.
  1. Overseas Criminal Record Certificate:
  • If applying from overseas, provide an overseas criminal record certificate for any country where you have lived for at least 12 months within the last 10 years. This applies to both the main applicant and any adult dependants.
  1. Language and Maintenance Requirements:
  • There is no requirement to satisfy English language proficiency or provide proof of maintenance funds for a Tier 1 Investor visa.

It’s essential to note that specific requirements may vary based on individual circumstances. Seeking advice from an immigration lawyer can provide you with expert guidance tailored to your situation.

Regarding the UK Investor visa and the 2-year requirement:

  1. Investment Funds Duration:
  • The Tier 1 Investor visa rules do not mandate a 2-year holding period for investment funds.
  1. Qualifying Sources for Funds Held Less Than 2 Years:
  • You can still qualify for a UK Investor visa if your investment funds have been held for less than 2 years, provided the source is from:
    • A gift received within the 2 years before the application date.
    • Proceeds from the sale of assets like business or property within 2 years.
    • Money held in your business, your partner’s business, or other specified sources.
    • Inheritance received within 2 years.
    • Proceeds from a divorce settlement received within the 2 years before the application.
    • Financial awards, winnings, or any other documented and corroborated source.
  1. Exemption for 2-Year Fund Holders:
  • If you have held your investment funds for at least 2 years, there is no requirement for specified evidence of the source. However, you still need to demonstrate to the Home Office that your funds were lawfully obtained.

Investment Options:

  • Once in the Tier 1 Investor visa category, you must invest a minimum of £2 million in qualifying investments within 90 days of entering.
  • The only qualifying investment options are share capital and/or loan capital in active and trading UK registered companies.

Restrictions on Investments:*

  • There are restrictions on permitted investments, such as prohibitions on investments in offshore companies or trusts, open-ended investment companies, and companies primarily engaged in property-related activities.

It’s important to stay informed about the latest immigration rules and requirements, and seeking advice from immigration professionals can provide tailored guidance based on your specific circumstances.

FAQ’s

How long is a UK Tier 1 Investor visa valid for?

Key Points about the Tier 1 Investor Visa and Settlement:

  1. Initial Visa Duration:
  • The initial Tier 1 Investor visa is valid for either 3 years and 4 months (if applying from overseas) or 3 years (if applying from within the UK).
  1. Investment Requirement:
  • Within 3 months of entering the category, you must invest a minimum of £2 million in actively trading UK companies.
  • Maintenance of the investment is required.
  1. Extension and Settlement:
  • You can extend your stay as a Tier 1 Investor for an additional 2 years.
  • Eligible for indefinite leave to remain (settlement) after 5 years.
  1. Accelerated Routes to Settlement:
  • Accelerated settlement routes are available:
    • 3 years if you invest at least £5 million.
    • 2 years if you invest at least £10 million.
  1. Settlement Requirements:
  • To settle in the UK as a Tier 1 Investor, you must:
    • Spend no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period.
    • Unless aged 65 or over, demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the English language and Life in the UK.

Applications for extension of stay as a Tier 1 Investor?

Before your initial Tier 1 Investor visa expires, you may be eligible to apply for an extension, and the requirements depend on when your initial Tier 1 Investor visa was granted.

Tier 1 Investor Visa Extension: Initial Visa granted between 6 November 2014 and 28 March 2019

If your Tier 1 Investor visa was granted between 6 November 2014 and 28 March 2019, you can extend your stay as a Tier 1 Investor if:

  1. You invested a minimum of £2 million in the UK through UK Government bonds, share capital, or loan capital in active and trading UK registered companies.
  2. Your investment was made within 3 months of your entry to the UK, or within 3 months of the date of the grant of entry clearance or leave to remain as a Tier 1 Investor. Alternatively, it could be no earlier than 12 months before the date of the application that led to the initial grant of leave as a Tier 1 Investor.
  3. You maintained the level of investment throughout the remaining period of your leave.

Your Tier 1 Investor visa extension application must be submitted before 6 April 2023.

Tier 1 Investor Visa Extension: Initial Visa granted on or after 29 March 2019

If your Tier 1 Investor visa was granted on or after 29 March 2019, you need to satisfy the following requirements for an extension:

  1. Invest a minimum of £2 million in the UK through UK share capital or loan capital in active and trading UK registered companies.
  2. Make the investment within 3 months of your entry to the UK, within 3 months of the date of the grant of entry clearance or leave to remain as a Tier 1 Investor, or no earlier than 12 months before the date of the application that led to the initial grant of leave as a Tier 1 Investor.
  3. Maintain the level of investment throughout the remaining period of your leave.

How can PLS Assist UK Investor Visa Applicants?

Navigating the Immigration Rules for a Tier 1 Investor visa application requires meticulous attention to the required documentation. Seeking guidance from an immigration lawyer is crucial to ensuring that your application is professionally presented and technically accurate.

Push Legal Services stands out as one of the UK’s premier immigration practices for Tier 1 Investors. Recognised with numerous industry awards and esteemed memberships, including the Investment Migration Council and the Department of International Trade’s Investor Support Network, our immigration barristers have a track record of excellence.

Our team of investment immigration barristers and lawyers collaborates closely with investors, wealth managers, and leading banks to meticulously prepare and submit high-quality visa applications for investors and their families. With expertise in immigration options for investors, our barristers navigate the intricate Home Office Immigration Rules and policies, guiding clients through the process.

We take pride in being approachable, proactive, and committed to understanding and fulfilling our clients’ needs. As a dedicated and highly driven team, we provide clear and reliable immigration advice to investors, delivering professional and friendly service throughout the application process