Tier 1 Investor Visa
What is a Tier 1 Investor Visa?
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A Tier 1 investor visa category is a viable option for individuals who have a high net worth and are willing to make a substantial financial investment in the UK. However, to qualify for a Tier 1 UK Investor visa, you will need to have access to at least £2 million and be willing to invest your funds in actively trading UK companies.
The length of time you can stay in the UK under a tier 1 investor visa varies. It is possible to switch into the tier 1 Investor category if you are already in the UK under tier 1, 2 or 4. You can apply to come to the UK for an initial period of 3 years and 4 months. If then you wish to switch into the tier 1 category from within the UK, You will be granted leave for 3 years.
You can apply for further extensions again and again. However, you must meet the criteria for extension applications.
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What Are The Requirements For A Tier 1 Investor Visa?
There are certain factors that you must adhere to qualify for a tier 1 Investor visa; you will need to have the following:
- You have funds amounting to at least £2 million belonging to yourself, your partner or the two of you jointly, such as a spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner.
- The money is held in a regulated financial institution;
- The money is freely transferable to the UK and able to be converted to pounds sterling;
- You have opened a bank account with a UK regulated bank. (With the intent of investing £2 million, in a share capital or loan capital in UK companies;
- You have held the funds for at least two years or more.
If you have held your investment funds for less than 2 years, you will need to meet the Home Office’s regulations on your fund’s source.
Unlike most UK visitor applications, if you apply for a visa as a Tier 1 Investor, you will not need to pass or satisfy any English language or need to provide evidence of maintenance funds.
Once your application has been successful, you will have 90 days to deposit the £2 million investment within an approved qualifying investment. As it stands, the only qualifying investment option is share capital and/or loan capital in active, and trading UK registered companies.
It is essential that you check that your investment is valid. This means your share or company that you wish to invest in has to be aligned with specific factors to be a legitimate investment for a tier 1 investor visa. For example, investments in offshore companies or trusts, open-ended investment companies and companies mainly involved with property investment, property management or property development will see your visa rejected.
The exact requirements you will need to satisfy will vary depending on your circumstances, so like any visa application, we recommend speaking to one of our immigration lawyers at Branch Austin McCormick for expert advice.
