Tuier 1 Investor visa was first introduced to the UK in 2008. On the 29 March 2019 the immigration rules for Ter 1 Investor were updated. The Investor must now have been in control of their funds for 2 years and not 90 days prior to submission of their visa application.

The 2 year rule does not apply to all investors, it all depends how the funds were secured.

This visa is for overseas nationals wanting to make a high-net-worth substantial financial investment in the UK. Investment starts from £2M and the application can be made under Leave to Enter or Leave to Remain.

Note: It is essential you invest into the right business or your next visa application could be refused.

Investment services not permitted

The funds must not be invested in companies mainly engaged in property investment, property management or property development (meaning in this context any investment or development of property to increase the value of property with a view to earning a return either through rent or a future sale, or both, or the management of property for the purposes of renting it out, or resale).

The principle is that business income must be generated from the supply of goods and/or services and not derived from the increased value of property or any income generated through property, such as rent. This restriction does not, however, prevent you investing in companies that are mainly involved in construction services.

Evidence of source of funds acceptable

Your investment money be held in the bank account or portfolio for 2 years or more, but if it has not, you must always provide evidence of the source of the money regardless. You must do this whether the money is held in the UK or overseas when you apply for your Leave to Enter or Leave to Remain visa.

Source of funds accepted:

• Gift
• Deeds of sale
• Evidence from a business
• Will
• Divorce settlement
• Award or winnings.

Money that can be transferred

If your funds or you have a portfolio of investments that are held overseas, you must provide a letter from your bank or financial institution as evidence that the money can be transferred into the UK. This letter must be on the official letter-headed paper of the bank or financial institution, and it must have been issued by an authorised official of that institution.

Funds in shared account

If your funds are in a shared account with your partner or other family members, you must obtain their permission to use the funds by way of declaration. This is known as a 'Gift' of beneficial ownership of the money while retaining the legal title. In another terms, if your partner wanted to access the funds, they now need your permission.

In addition to this, depending whoever is on the joint account with you, an array of documents must be provided to show the link. Documents are likely to cover the two years prior your visa application submission date.

You have 3 levels of investment:

2 Million GBP

If you can demonstrate 2 million GBP, it means your initial visa will be granted for:

• 3 years and 4 months under Leave to Enter
• 3 years under Leave to Remain.

You will need to extend this visa and live in the UK for 5 years before you can apply for settlement status.

5 Million GBP

If you can demonstrate 5 million GBP, it means your initial visa will be granted for:

• 3 years and 4 months under Leave to Enter
• 3 years under Leave to Remain.

You will be permitted to apply for settlement status once you have lived in the UK under this visa for 3 years.

10 Million GBP

If you can demonstrate 10 million GBP, it means your initial visa will be granted for:

• 3 years and 4 months under Leave to Enter
• 3 years under Leave to Remain.

You will be permitted to apply for settlement status once you have lived in the UK under this visa for 2 years.

Points required for initial visa

You must achieve 75 points for attributes of Appendix A of the Immigration Rules to meet the visa requirements and be aged 18 and over. 

To be able to switch into this visa route whilst in the UK, you will need to have one of the following:

• a highly skilled migrant;
• a Tier 1 (General) migrant;
• a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) migrant;
• a Tier 2 migrant; or
• a Tier 4 migrant*

*You may only switch from Tier 4 (General) if you are or were last sponsored by:

1. a UK recognised body or a body in receipt of public funding as a Higher Education Institution (HEI) from the Department of Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland, the Higher Education Funding Council for England, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales or the Scottish Funding Council;
2. an overseas Higher Education Institution (HEI), to undertake a short-term study abroad programme in the United Kingdom;
3. an Embedded College offering Pathway Courses; or
4. an independent school

If you hold any other visa type, you must leave the UK and apply to enter the UK under a new visa being Tier 1 Investor.

Contact us today if you need to leave the UK as we can process your visa whilst in the UK and once you depart the UK, the application can be submitted.

Extension application rules will depend when you were initially grant your Tier 1 Investor visa.

Applications under Leave to Enter or Leave to Remain falls under 3 date categories:

• Initial leave granted before 6 November 2014
• Initial leave granted between 6 November 2014 and 28 March 2019
• Initial leave granted on or after 29 March 2019.

Once you have informed us which date you fall under, we will guide you further.

In all visa extension and including settlement, the Home Office caseworker will want to see how you invested your money in the UK. It is very important during your initial visa permission, you fully understand the immigration rules so your next application is not refused.

You have 4 primary ways to settle in the UK

2 Million GBP investment

If you invested this sum of money and complied to the immigration rules and held this visa type for 5 years, you can apply for UK settlement on 5 years.

5 Million GBP investment

If you invested this sum of money and complied to the immigration rules and held this visa type for 3 years, you can apply for UK settlement on 3 years.

10 Million GBP investment

If you invested this sum of money and complied to the immigration rules and held this visa type for 2 years, you can apply for UK settlement on 2 years.

Note: Family members have to be in the UK as your PBS Dependant for 5 years before they can apply for UK settlement regardless how much you invested.

10 Year Long Residence

If you switched into Tier 1 Investor and you been in the UK on previous valid visa, you can combine these visas. If for example you held valid visas for 9 years, then held a tier 1 Investor visa for 1 year, you can apply for UK settlement under the 10 year long residence rule.

Can my family apply under this visa route?

All 'direct' family members can apply to enter the UK or apply to remain in the UK under this visa route as your PBS Dependant.

Who are 'Direct' family members?

• Married or Civil Partnership
• Fiancé, Fiancée or Proposed Civil Partnership
• Unmarried partner
• Children aged 0-17 (entry visa only)
• Children aged 18 and over (if in the UK already and entered the UK under aged 18).

Family members do not benefit if you can apply for UK settlement under 2 or 3 years. All approved family members must hold a valid PBS Dependant visa for 5 years before applying for UK settlement status.