Tier 1 (Investor) visas are for individuals and their families able to transfer a minimum of £2 million into UK stocks and shares. The investor route can be extremely complex, therefore it is recommended that you seek expert legal guidance before you begin your application. Working with partners across the financial and forex sectors, Latitude Law are experts in acquiring investor visas, and will be happy to provide reliable advice throughout the application process.
In order to qualify for entry to the UK, investors are required to make a minimum £2 million investment in UK stocks and shares. A successful Tier 1 Investor Visa application allows the applicant, their spouse and children under the age of 18 to live in the UK for an initial three years.
You do not need to be actively involved in UK business to be eligible for an investor visa, but you must maintain the value of your investment and a home in the UK, spending at least 180 days here in any 12-month period if you wish to qualify for settlement in the future. If you wish to apply for indefinite leave to remain, there are different criteria on how long you must have resided in the UK based on the amount of money invested. If you have invested more than £10 million in the UK, then you may qualify for accelerated settlement after two years; a £5 million investment can gain you settlement after three years.
Investor visas are often complex due to the points based system (PBS) requirements which must be satisfied. The primary requirement for a Tier 1 (Investor) visa is the ability to demonstrate adequate funds to invest in the UK.
You must be able to demonstrate:
You must also be able to provide tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test and proof that you don’t have any outstanding criminal convictions from the last 10 years. There is no English language or maintenance requirement for investors and their families.
In December 2018 the UK government indicated it would suspend the investor category; this did not in fact happen immediately, but changes to the route did occur in 2019. These include the requirement to hold funds for at least 2 years, compared to 90 days, and prevented investment in UK government bonds. For up-to-date advice on proposed visa changes speak to one of our lawyers today.
When you are applying for a Tier 1 (Investor) visa, it is important to ensure your application sufficiently meets the requirements set out by the UK Home Office. Investor applications can often be complex, therefore it is critical that you seek expert legal advice prior to beginning your application process. Latitude Law have a proven track record with tier 1 applications and our expert solicitors will ensure your application is prepared to the highest standard.
We are ranked as a leading immigration service provider by Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal. We have a proven track record of assisting clients with investor visa guidance, ensuring the application is fully compliant with the Home Office requirements. We are able to provide support with all aspects of UK immigration including operational and strategic advice.
To be eligible for a Tier 1 (Investor) visa, you must:
To apply for a Tier 1 (Investor) visa, you must be able to provide:
The following investments are not permitted:
You may be eligible to extend your visa and should apply up to 28 days before your current visa expires. To be eligible, you must:
In addition, you must also provide your biometric information, pay a healthcare surcharge and include any dependants on your application.
Foreign investors are eligible for accelerated residency after two years if they’ve invested £10,000,000 in the UK, or after three years if they’ve invested £5,000,000.
Alternatively, you can gain permanent residency after 5 years with no further investment by extending your visa.
There is no statutory right to appeal against a Tier 1 (Investor) Visa. If you are refused, you will have the right to apply for an administrative review within 28 days. If your review is also unsuccessful, you may apply to the Upper Tribunal for permission to pursue judicial review.
Due to the complex nature of Tier 1 (Investor) Visa applications, it is essential that you seek the assistance of an expert to review your application and guide you through the review process.
Are you hoping to work in the UK? Have you been offered a job role and seek permission to work here? Our immigration lawyers are experts in the operation of UK and European legislation that affects foreign workers.
If you need help securing a visa through the entrepreneur route, the immigration solicitors at Latitude Law are here to help. We can help you through the application process and provide legal advice and guidance on complex matters, such as appeals.
Whether you represent a business employing migrant workers, or an educational institution looking for help with a Tier 4 sponsor licence, the lawyers at Latitude Law will be happy to guide you through the requirements of the PBS sponsorship schemes.
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All content on this page was reviewed by Latitude Law and is accurate as of 11/02/2019
