Tier 1 Investor Visa

The Tier 1 Investor visa has closed to all new applications. To discuss your UK visa options, contact our business immigration specialists.

Tier 1 Investor Visa closed

The UK government closed the Tier 1 Investor visa in 2022 to all new applications and to applicants of all nationalities.

Existing Tier 1 Investor visa holders have until 5th April 2025 to apply for UK settlement under this route.

As an alternative to the UK investor visa, we can support with applications for the Irish Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP), which offers residency in Ireland, as well as a path to Irish citizenship and to an Irish (EU) passport.

This article was published before the Tier 1 Investor visa closed. For advice about your options to remain in the UK, speak to our UK immigration specialists.

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As a team of immigration lawyers and former Home Office employees, we have an established reputation for effective and efficient management and processing of UK visa extensions and applications, as well as advising on options for UK settlement. Contact us for advice.

Applying for a Tier 1 Investor visa

This information pre-dates the closure of the Tier 1 Investor visa.

The requirements under the Tier 1 investor visa were tightened in March 2019 following a government review. The new regulations place more onerous criteria on applicants. As part of your application you will need to demonstrate:

The £2 million investment is the price paid by the investor rather than the market value.
The money for investment belongs either to you, your spouse or civil partner.
The funds must be held in one or more regulated financial institutions. The UK bank holding your funds will need to confirm they have carried out all required due diligence checks and Know Your Customer enquiries.
The funds are available to be transferred to and invested in the UK.
The requirement to show source of funds if £2 million has been held for less than 2 years (previously 90 days).
Applicants can be refused the visa if the Home Office have reasonable grounds to believe the funds used for the investment breached exchange controls.

What are permissible investments or activities under the Tier 1 Investor route?

This information pre-dates the closure of the Tier 1 Investor visa.

You are not allowed to invest in companies mainly engaged in property investment, property management or property development, work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach, or claim UK public funds. The new rules in 2019 also exclude government bonds from permissible investments.

Pooled investments that receive funding from a UK or devolved government department or one of its agencies are, under the new rules, allowable investment.

Any intermediary vehicle must be regulated by the FCA and the investor will need to produce evidence of the final investment destination and how funds were transferred there.

The definition of an “active and trading” UK company has also been tightened. Stronger evidence of trading in the UK as follows:

Registered with Companies House in the UK.
Registered with HMRC for corporation tax and PAYE.
Accounts and UK business bank account showing regular trading.
At least two UK employees who are not directors.

Can I extend my Tier 1 Investor visa?

This information pre-dates the closure of the Tier 1 Investor visa.

The deadline to apply for an extension of an existing Tier 1 investor visa is 5^th April 2023.

Settlement applications under the route can be made until 5^th April 2025.

Can Tier 1 Investor visa holders apply to settle in the UK?

This information pre-dates the closure of the Tier 1 Investor visa.

You may become eligible to apply to settle permanently in the UK after two years if you invest £10 million, after three years if you invest £5 million, or after five years if you invest £2 million. Any dependent family members that you bring with you must wait five years before they are eligible for settlement.

Tier 1 Investor visa holders have until 5th April 2025 to apply for UK ILR.

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