The Tier 1 (Investor) visa is the ideal route for non-EEA international high net worth individuals and their families who wish to relocate to the UK for permanent residency and/or citizenship.
Why choose the UK?
The UK is attractive to high net worth investors who are drawn by the high-quality housing market, strong financial sector and excellent world-renowned private education for their children. London, in particular, is a fantastic and exciting cosmopolitan city where the whole world can feel at home.
Criteria for application
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you must be aged 18 or over;
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you must have opened a UK bank account;
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you or your partner (spouse, unmarried partner) must have an investment amount of a minimum of £2 million which you are willing to invest in the UK economy;
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investment funds must be wholly under your control and have been held in your bank account or investment portfolio for at least 2 years prior to the application (unless you can provide clear evidence of the source of funds);
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your funds must be held in a regulated financial institution and be free to transfer to the UK (your money can be in the UK or overseas when you apply.)
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within 3 months of the visa being granted, the funds must be invested in a UK loan or share capital in actively trading UK registered companies (property and cash deposits are excluded).
Advantages over other visa categories- Fewer restrictions put on applicants by the Home Office
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No English language requirement.
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No requirement to work.
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You can study, work or set up your own business if desired.
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You can bring your dependents such as spouse/partner and children aged under 18.
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Accelerated routes to permanent residence (‘indefinite leave to remain’ available)
Duration of visa and extensions
You and your dependents can come to the UK with a Tier 1 (Investor) visa for an initial period of 3 years and 4 months. The visa can be extended by a further 2 years and then you can apply for permanent residence (indefinite leave to remain) and eventually British nationality if desired.
Your level of investment must have been maintained for the length of your visa to qualify for an extension.
There are accelerated routes to permanent residence available depending on the amount invested.
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Investment of £2 Million
You will qualify for permanent residence after five years if you have invested £2,000,000 in the UK.
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Investment of £5 million
If you invest £5,000,000 you will be able to apply for permanent residence after the investment has been in place for three years.
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Investment of £10 million
If you invest £10,000,000 you will be able to apply for permanent residence after the investment has been in place for at least two years.
How Phillips Lewis Smith Solicitors can assist you:
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A case assessment to establish the merits of your application
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Step by step tailored advice and full preparation of your application and submission of your application to the UK Visas & immigration Office
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Ongoing management of your visa and any extensions you wish to make in future
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Fixed fee pricing.
By Shamaila Khan, Business Immigration Solicitor
For further advice & assistance contact shamaila.khan@plslex.com
Call us on+44 (0)20 7925 2244 .