UK Investor Visa (Tier 1)

What is a UK Tier 1 Investor visa?

This visa enables you and your family members to come and live in the UK by investing in the UK either in your own business or any other business 

 

How much money do I have to invest to get a UK Tier 1 Investor visa?

You have to invest at least GBP 2 million to get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa. 

 

In whose account, does the money have to be, to get a UK Tier 1 Investor visa?

The money should belong to any of the following:

• You

• Your Spouse (husband or wife)

• You Unmarried partner

• Your Same-sex partner 

 

Which countries Citizens can apply for a UK Tier 1 Investor visa?

You may be a citizen of any country to apply for the UK Tier 1 Investor visa

 

Do I have to prove the source of funds where I got the money from?

If you have held the money for at least 2 years, then you don’t have to give any proof of the source of the funds. However, if you have held the money for less than 2 years, then you have to give proof of the source of the money, for example you inherited it from a family member or you sold your property/business, etc.

 

Is there any maintenance or savings required for a UK Tier 1 Investor visa?

No, you don’t need any other savings or income other than the investment funds

 

How soon before my proposed trip to the UK, can I apply for a UK Tier 1 Investor visa?

You can apply within 3 months of your planned date to come to the UK, i.e. if you plan to come to the UK on 1st April, then you can apply the earliest on 2nd January. However, please note that you should instruct us at least 4 weeks before the date you wish to apply to allow us sufficient time to review all your supporting documents, advise you, prepare your application and submit it. The date of application is the date on which we submit the online application form

 

Do I have to invest the funds before I apply for the UK Tier 1 Investor visa or before coming to the UK?

No, you don’t have to invest the funds before you apply for the visa or before coming to the UK. You just need to show that you have the funds to invest.

 

When am I required to invest the funds for the UK Tier 1 Investor visa?

You have to invest the funds within 3 months of entering the UK on the Investor visa.

 

I have already invested some funds in the UK, can I use those funds to get a UK Tier 1 Investor visa?

Yes, you can use any funds that you have invested in the UK within the last 12 months before the date of application, for example, if you are submitting your application on 5th January 2021, then you can use any funds that you have invested in the UK from 6th January 2020 to 5th January 2021.

 

Can I use the funds that I have in a UK Bank account/financial institution?

Yes, you can use any funds that you have held in a UK bank account.

 

Can I use my funds held in an overseas Bank account/financial institution?

Yes, you can use any funds that you have held in an overseas bank account. You will also need to show that the funds are freely transferable to the UK and that you have opened a UK bank account for investing the funds (You will need a letter from the UK bank confirming this)

 

What is the exchange rate that would be applied?

You may calculate the foreign currency conversion rate at https://www1.oanda.com/currency/converter/

The exchange rate on the date of submission of the online application will be considered.

 

Can I apply for the UK Tier 1 Investor visa, if I am living in the UK in another category of visa?

Yes, you can switch from within the UK if you are currently on any of the below visa categories:

• a highly skilled migrant 

• a Tier 1 (General) migrant

• a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) migrant

• a Tier 1 (Investor) migrant

• a Tier 2 migrant

• a Tier 4 migrant

 

Can I switch or change to another type of visa while I am in the UK on a Tier 1 Investor visa?

Yes, you are able to move/switch/change to another category of UK visa such as Unmarried Partner Visa, Spouse Visa, Civil Partner Visa, etc.

 

We have successfully switched applicants onto other category of visas in the UK to enable them to live in the UK for a longer period or permanently, if for any reason, they are unable to maintain their investments or are unable to meet any requirements to qualify either for an extension or an indefinite leave to remain in the UK on the Tier 1 Investor visa.

 

Can I bring my dependants/family members on the UK Tier 1 Investor visa?

Yes, you can bring the following family members: 

• Your Spouse (husband or wife)

• You Unmarried partner

• Your Same-sex partner 

• Children under 18 years of age

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What is the Cost for the UK Tier 1 Investor visa?

The fees are £1623 per applicant applying for the UK Tier 1 Investor visa and £1623 per family member applying at the same time. 

 

You will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your application, which would be calculated @ GBP 624 per year for the applicant and the family member who is 18 years of age or older and @GBP 470 per year for any family members under 18 years of age.

 

If your application is refused for any reason, then your IHS will be refunded to the same card you used to pay the IHS within 90 days after the date of the refusal of the application. You can read more details about IHS at https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application

 

How long is the UK Tier 1 Investor visa given for? or  

What is the duration / validity of the UK Tier 1 Investor visa?

If you are applying from outside UK, 

• And for the first time, the visa will be granted for a period of three years and four months

• And you held Tier 1(Investor) visa in the last twelve months, then the visa will be granted for two years

 

If you are applying from within UK, 

• And you are applying for the first time, the visa will be granted for a period of three years 

• And you are applying for the extension of your Tier 1 Investor visa, then the visa will be granted for two years​

 

Can I extend my UK Tier 1 Investor visa?

Yes, you can extend your UK Tier 1 Investor visa

 

After how many years will I get Permanent Residence in the UK on the UK Tier 1 Investor visa?

You will get Indefinite Leave to remain in the UK( Permanent Residence) after completing:

5 years if you invest GBP 2 million

3 years if you invest GBP 5 million

2 years if you invest GBP 10 million

 

How many days do I have to live in the UK to qualify for Permanent Residence in the UK on the UK Tier 1 Investor visa?

You have to live in the UK for more than 6 months in any 12 months that you are on the UK Tier 1 Investor visa. You cannot be outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12 month period during your qualifying period of Indefinite leave to remain in the UK. 

 

Can I get a British Passport on the UK Tier 1 Investor visa?

Yes, first you have to get Indefinite Leave to remain in the UK and then after 12 months, you can apply for Naturalization as a British citizen, if you meet the requirements for the Naturalisation application.

 

Do I have to give my money/funds to the UK Government to get a UK Tier 1 Investor visa?

No, you don’t have to give the money to the UK Government, you have to invest the money in active and trading UK registered companies. You can also set up your own company and invest the money in that company.

 

What types of investments are allowed to get a UK Tier 1 Investor visa?

You will have to invest the money in active and trading UK registered companies. You can also set up your own company and invest the money in that company.

 

What is an “active and trading UK registered company” for the purposes of the UK Tier 1 Investor visa?

“Active and trading UK registered companies for the purposes of the UK Tier 1 Investor visa are the companies which:

• are registered with Companies House in the UK;

• are registered with HM Revenue and Customs for corporation tax and PAYE;

• have accounts and a UK business bank account, both showing regular trading of its own goods or services;

• have at least two UK-based employees who are not its directors.

 

Do I need a Criminal record certificate to apply for the UK Tier 1 Investor visa?

Yes, you would have to submit a criminal record certificate from any country you have stayed in for a total of 12 months or more over the last 10 years. 

 

Please note that any countries where you have visited(even for Tourism, Business, Family visit, etc.) for the last 10 years and in total(all the trips when you were 18 years or older) your stay in that country is at least 12 months or more, then you will need a Criminal record certificate from that country.

 

If you are unable to obtain a Criminal record certificate, then you will have to provide an explanation along with the application stating that it is not reasonably practicable for you to obtain a Criminal record certificate from the authorities of a particular country or several countries. 

 

What are my rights and duties whilst living in the UK on a UK Tier 1 Investor visa?

You will have full rights to work in the UK or start a business or company in the UK. You may also study in the UK. You may also just live in the UK without doing anything.