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You are in the workpermit.com archive section. The information on this page may be out of date.Tier 1 Investor visa Scheme scrapped on 17th February 2022 during Ukraine Crisis, due to concerns about investments into the UK by Russian Oligarchs. Priti Patel the UK Home Secretary said ending the Tier 1 investor visa, was part of a "renewed crackdown on illicit finance and fraud".
Tier 1 Investor visa is possible if you have at least two million pounds (£2,000,000) in funds available to invest in active and trading UK businesses. The funds must be held by a regulated institution, such as a bank or venture capital firm, and must be free to spend – not tied up in securities, shares, or similar arrangements.
From 29 March 2019 the requirements for the active and trading UK business are as follows:
Is registered with Companies House in the UK.
Is registered with HM Revenue and Customs for corporation tax and PAYE.
Has accounts and a UK bank account with both showing regular trading of its own goods or services.
Has at least 2 UK based employees who are not its directors.
Tier 1 Investor Points
Tier 1 Investor applicants must score 75 points for their visa to be granted. The following table gives a detailed breakdown of how points are awarded for this visa. Tier 1 Investor applicants do not need to provide proof of their English language proficiency or their access to maintenance funds.
Tier 1 Investor points table
Condition | Points |
Having at least £2,000,000 of your own money to invest in the UK, and:
| 75 |
Having at least £2,000,000 of your partner's money, and:
| 75 |
Length of stay
You are granted entry for a period of up to three years and four months. Depending on the investment level you can gain indefinite leave to remain in the UK after spending between two and five years (minus 28 days) in the UK.
You can gain indefinite leave to remain after meeting the following residence requirements:
There are accelerated routes to indefinite leave to remain if you have invested more than £2 million pounds.
- £2 million investment – Towards the end of 5 years stay in the UK
- Investment of £ 5 million – Towards the end of 3 years stay in the UK
- Investment of £ 10 million – Towards the end of 2 years stay in the UK
Documents
Tier 1 Investor applicants must provide several documents with their application, these include:
Current passport and/or other travel documents
A separate passport photograph
A clear tuberculosis (TB) test result letter, if the applicant is from one of the countries on the Home Office's TB testing list, found here (link)
A criminal record certificate from any country they have lived in for more than one year in the past ten years
The evidence outlined in the Tier 1 Investor points table above
Other activities and restrictions
Tier 1 investor visa holders can work and study in the UK alongside investing in active UK businesses, and can apply to settle (gaining legal permanent residence in the UK) after a set period of time which depends on how much they have invested in the UK. Those who invest £5,000,000 or more can apply to settle after 3 years, while those who invest £10,000,000 or more may apply after 2 years.
Investors on this visa cannot invest in any company whose main business activities involve managing, developing, or investing in property
Further information, help, and advice
Workpermit.com's team of specialists has 30 years of experience in immigration services, and have helped thousands of people to study and work in the UK. We represent clients under Section 84 of the 1999 immigration act and can advise and assist with your UK visa application.
For more information and advice on UK immigration law and UK visa applications please contact us on 0344 991 9222 or at london@workpermit.com
