Permanent Residency through Investment in the United Kingdom
The Tier 1 Visa Program for investors and entrepreneurs was essentially created by the UK government to allow individuals with a high net worth outside the European economic area and Switzerland wishing to settle in the UK, the opportunity to qualify for permanent residency in the UK.
Tier 1 (Investor) Visa
Note: The UK government closed the Tier 1 (Investor) Visa on February 17th, 2022. Tier 1 (Investor) visa in United Kingdom is no longer possible.
Eligibility Requirements
- The applicant must have a high net worth to qualify for the investor visa program.
- It is necessary for the candidate to be willing to invest at least GBP 2,000,000 in the UK upon 3 months of entry.
- The candidate must ensure their investment funds are in a UK bank account.
- The candidate’s investment funds must be invested in one of the following: UK government bonds, share capital or loan capital in active and trading UK registered companies.
Program Benefits
- The applicant is able to apply for Leave to Remain (permanent residency) in the UK after 5 years. However, if the applicant makes an increased investment of GBP 5 million they are then eligible to apply for Leave to Remain after 3 years, while if the investment was GBP 10 million they are able to apply for Leave to Remain after 2 years.
- The applicant is free to work and study in the UK.
- The program does not have any language, education, or experience requirements.
Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Visa
Note : The UK government closed the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Visa in March 2019 and replaced it with the UK Innovator Visa and Start-up Visa. Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa in United Kingdom is no longer possible.
Eligibility Requirements
- The entrepreneur must meet the English language requirements to be successful.
- The applicant must prove that they are able to support herself/himself while in the UK.
- In order to qualify, the entrepreneur must have at least GBP 200,000 investment funds which:
- Need to be held in a UK bank account or financial institution.
- The funds need to be invested in a UK business.
- OR have access to at least GBP 50,000 from one of the following:
- A venture capital firm regulated by the UK financial services authority.
- One or more UK entrepreneurial seed funding competitions endorsed on the UK Trade and Investment website.
- One or more UK government departments or devolved government departments in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland and made available by the department(s) concerned for the purposes of establishing or expanding a business in the UK
Program Benefits
- The candidate is able to apply for indefinite Leave to Remain (permanent residency) after 5 years of residing in the UK.
- The candidate is able to bring immediate family members to the UK.
United Kingdom (UK) Innovator Visa
Eligibility Requirements
- The principal applicant must be at least 18 years old.
- The applicant must have enough personal savings to support himself while he’s in the United Kingdom.
- The applicant must have at least GBP 50,000 in investment funds to apply for an Innovator visa if you want to set up a new business.
- The applicant must have at least GBP1270 in a bank account for 28 consecutive days before apply.
- The applicant must pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider.
Note: Citizens of the following countries do not need to prove their knowledge of the English language: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and USA.
Program Benefits
- Family members that can be included on the application or to stay in the United Kingdom as your ‘dependents’ if they’re eligible. If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as the main applicant.
- The applicant can apply to settle permanently in the United Kingdom (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) if he lived in the United Kingdom for 3 years and meet the other eligibility requirements.
- The applicant can set up a business or several businesses.
- The applicant can travel abroad and return to the United Kingdom.
- The applicant can apply to extend his residency for another 3 years when his visa is due to expire. There’s no limit on the number of times you can extend.
Application Process
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents. You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application. Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within: 3 weeks if you’re outside the United Kingdom and 8 weeks if you’re inside the United Kingdom.
Start-up Visa
Eligibility Requirements
- The applicant must be over the age of 18 years.
- The applicant needs to have a business or business idea assessed by an endorsing body.
- The applicant must have at least GBP1270 in a bank account for 28 consecutive days before apply.
- The applicant must can read, write, speak and understand English to a level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.
Note: Citizens of the following countries do not need to prove their knowledge of the English language: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and USA.
Program Benefits
- Travel abroad and return to the United Kingdom.
- Main applicant and immediate family including souse, children under the age of 18, unmarried dependent children, as well as parents if they are part of the household, can be included in the application.
- Work in another job, as well as working for your business.
Application Process
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents. You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application. Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within: 3 weeks if you’re outside the United Kingdom and 8 weeks if you’re inside the United Kingdom.
UK Tier 1 (Investor) Visa Frequently Asked Questions
1. When my application for Tier 1 (Investor) Visa is approved, am I able to apply for UK citizenship?
When the application for the Tier 1 (Investor) visa is successful, a temporary residency in the UK is issued. The applicant is then able to apply for a leave to remain (Permanent Residency) after a period of time which depends on the investment chosen. There is no fast-track option to apply for citizenship; however, the candidate is eligible to apply for citizenship after 6 years of residing in the UK.
2. Is there any specific amount required for the net worth that I should have?
No, but you have to have sufficient funds to be able to make the investment and support yourself while residing in the UK.
UK Innovator Visa Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are there any language or educational requirements for this program?
Yes, the program expects the applicant to have a certain level of English in order to qualify.
2. Do I have to visit United Kingdom during the application process?
Some applicants are requested to attend an interview before a final decision on the application is made; others are not.
UK Start-up Visa Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I include my spouse and children in my Start-up visa application?
Yes, the applicant’s family members can be included on the application or to stay in the UK as your ‘dependents’ if they’re eligible. If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as the main applicant.
2. How long can I and my family stay in the United Kingdom?
You both can stay for two years if you either: come to the UK on a Start-up visa OR; you can switch to this visa from another visa while in the UK.
For more information, please fill out our Free Assessment and find out if you qualify.
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